The winds of March and April are here to bring us springtime flowers.
The warmer days come at last and winter’s woes we hope are past.
Get out the golf clubs; clean your shoes; let the sunshine chase your blues.
Clean the boat, and find your racket, pretty soon you’ll shed that jacket.
Now’s the time to plan some trips, go by car, or cruise on ship.
Find the shovel, find the hoe, plan a garden and watch it grow.
Soon you’ll hear the children shout, “Two more months and school is out!”
With all the fun things we plan to do, this time has deeper meanings too.
And sure as there is spring’s rebirth, one day God will bring us peace on earth.
Bryant Williams
There is something ethereal and yet soothing about a trip to Charleston, SC and staying for a few days in the historic district overlooking the harbor. This corner of the southeast of our country has escaped some of the ravages of time and has been able to retain its interesting history. One of its lasting inspirations in the field of artistic endeavors is the hand making of Sweetgrass Baskets by the Gullah women of the Low Country. On a recent trip I met with Trudy Hicks, one of these special artists who make these beautiful baskets.
The unique art of sweetgrass basket making was brought to the South Carolina Low Country in the late 17th century by enslaved West Africans who found palmetto leaves and grasses similar to those found in their native land. Since that time, the art has come a collector’s item to many across the world. Basketmaking techniques have been passed down through the centuries from grandmothers to daughters and granddaughters. This is true of Trudy Hicks whose family are descendants of slaves living in slave cabins on the Boone plantation. The technique and the natural materials remain the same. Trudy is very proud of her ability to create these works of art which are now exhibited in many museums in New York and in Washington, DC. I am personally pleased to own several of these baskets myself and use them frequently – always remembering their historical significance. See http://www.aboutmybeaches.com/tag/trudy-hicks-baskets/
Winter is shedding its grey coat and spring is singing to our souls with the awakening of budding flowers and exhilarating breezes floating through the fresh air. Our Lake Lure artists are busy getting ready for a new season and meeting to plan new art shows and classes. We welcome all who are interested in an active and growing group of friends promoting the fine arts of our community and hope you will join us some Thursday morning in the second and fourth week of each month. If you care to join us and wish for more information, call me at 828.625.9781 or email me at Marykarr27@gmail.com and we will celebrate the arts in the Hickory Nut Gorge together.
