SWEETGRASS FESTIVAL

MISSION STATEMENT

To preserve the heritage, legacy and traditions of the Gullah Geechee culture and their sweetgrass basket making art form.

To protect the Sweetgrass Natural Habitats and its environment from destruction by; utilizing the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival as a venue to bring focus and attention to the declining natural habitat locations where basket makers harvest the sweetgrass needed to produce their art form.

To establish collaborative partnerships with state, local and national organizations/agencies to support our efforts to protect and preserve the Gullah Geechee Culture and the sweetgrass basket art form.

To be totally inclusive of all sweetgrass basket makers in our efforts pursuit to protect and preserve the culture and art form.

The Hat Ladies are deeply honored to be asked to help at The Festival and to be recognized as part of their tradition of hat wearing.  We meet and greet and put on a Fashion Show of fashion-able sweetgrass hats and purses.

Waterfront Park, Mt. Pleasant Carolyn and Pat	Pat, Jeanie, Carolyn
Pat, Jeanie, Krista, Carolyn	Archie, Pat, Jeanie, Carolyn, Lis
Kathleen, Lis	Marlene, Jeanie, Kathleen
Archie, Thomasena, Marlene	Sweetgrass Basket Maker extraordinaire, Henrietta Snipe, Noted artist Jonathan Green, and Top Hat, Archie
Model Kimberly	Model Carolyn
Model Lis	Model Kathleen
Model Archie	Model Marlene
Model Jeanie	Model Pat

Archie with Octavia Mitchell, emcee of the evening and WCBD anchor

Volunteerism