Gullah Geechee History and Culture Through the Art of Jonathan Green

The Arts Center of Greenwood will host two exhibits from January 15 – March 2, 2023: “Gullah Spirit: Jonathan Green” and “Sewn by the Sea: Southern Sweetgrass Basketry.” Additionally, there will be a series of lectures, workshops, and interactive activities for visitors of all ages. SC Humanities supported this programming with a Major Grant.

The Arts Center of Greenwood aims to use this programming to bring awareness and understanding about Gullah Geechee culture and history to residents of the Lakelands region of South Carolina.

The exhibit “Gullah Spirit: Jonathan Green” will feature “Simple Pleasures,” a large painting in The Arts Center’s private collection, gifted by the late Virginia Self. Other paintings by Green will be on loan from the Morris Museum of Art. The exhibit “Sewn by the Sea: Southern Sweetgrass Basketry” focuses on the history and culture of Gullah Geechee people and includes images and objects.

While the exhibits are on display from January 15 – March 2, there will also be a wide offering of collateral programs.

Storytime in the Gallery
Saturday, January 21 @ 10:00 am
main gallery
Partnered By: Greenwood County Library
Admission: Free & Open to the Public

Gullah Geechee Legacy: Community Lecture with Victoria Smalls and Dr. Sean Barnette
Thursday, February 2 @ 5:30 pm
reception hall
Sponsored By: Greenwood County Community Foundation
Admission: Free & Open to the Public

Exhibit Reception
Thursday, February 2 @ 6:30 – 8:00 pm
main gallery
Sponsored By: Self Family Foundation
Admission: Free & Open to the Public

Gullah Gullah: Family Fun Day
Saturday, February 4 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
main gallery
Sponsored By: Greenwood Women Care
Admission: Free & Open to the Public

A Taste of the Lowcountry
Saturday, February 11 @ 7:00 – 10:00 pm
main gallery
Partnered By: Columbia City Ballet
Sponsored By: Self Regional Healthcare
Admission: $100 member / $120 non-member
Ticket Purchase: artscentergreenwood.com/a-taste-of-the-lowcountry

Sweetgrass Basketry Workshop with Vera Manigault
Sunday, February 19 @ 1:00 – 5:00 pm
main gallery
Admission: $60 per student (limited spots available)
Ticket Purchase: artscentergreenwood.com

Gullah Visions: Community Lecture by Dr. James Romaine & Elizabeth Snipes-Rochester
Tuesday, February 21 @ 5:30 pm

reception hall
Sponsored By: Greenwood County Community Foundation

The Arts Center of Greenwood is a 501(c) non-profit community arts organization located in Greenwood, South Carolina. The Arts Center of Greenwood is committed to enriching the quality of life within the community by providing a venue for exposure, engagement, and education in both the visual and performing arts. Learn more about The Arts Center: http://www.artscentergreenwood.com/

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 20-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually

Image: Don McCullough, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons