Daufuskie Island, Gullah Heritage, South Carolina

Daufuskie Island is barely a mile or two across the water  from Hilton Head Island but it feels a century away in time.

As a result of many pleasing hours I have spent painting on Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands, SC, I have a body of work I call my Gullah Series. Descendants of slaves who were brought to this part of America–many from Sierra Leone on the west coast of Africa– have kept their vibrant culture alive with their art, songs, stories and language.

February is Gullah Heritage Month on Hilton Head Island in the South Carolina Low Country.  It is a time when all things Gullah are show-cased: food, music, heritage, art, and history.  The month-long celebration is sponsored by the Native Island Business Community Affairs Association (NIBCAA) and attracts hundreds of visitors to the island.