The AVERY RESEARCH CENTER is a division of the College of Charleston. Avery’s mission is to evaluate, acquire, organize, preserve and make available to researchers materials that document the African American experience in South Carolina, with emphasis on Charleston, and the Lowcounty.

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COLLECTIONS, Research Room
The Avery Research Center provides access to and professional reference assistance in the use of its collections to the College of Charleston community, scholars and the general public. Avery facilitates access to these holdings in person, by mail, e-mail or telephone reference services. More information...

Avery MESSENGER online...

Current Issue
FALL, 2008 - Vol. 6 No. 3

Grass Roots
New Exhibition Links African & South Carolina Baskets

Featuring:

All In One Basket by Peter Wood, Ph.D.

Georgette Mayo Named Interim Director

A Trip to Mother Africa - Curtis J. Franks

A Gift of Art...A Collaboration...A Challenge
Artist Jonathan Green has reached out to Avery with a generous proposal...

"Notes and Observations from West Africa: A Continuum"
Exhibition of art and  material culture collected during South Carolina educators month long trip to Sierra Leone and Guinea. More...

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A GIFT OF ART ... A COLLABORATION ... A CHALLENGE
Renowned artist Jonathan Green has reached out to Avery with a most generous and exciting proposition. He has donated 30 of his beautiful prints, with the challenge that we fund the matting and framing with contributions by individuals with a distinct interest in Avery.
With that in mind, we've come up with an excellent naming opportunity. You can acknowledge a relative, a friend, a colleague, or anyone of your chosing.
More information .. view prints

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"The Many Faces of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
A Pictorial Exhibit of Observance of the 40th Assassination of Dr. M. L. King, Jr. The exhibit is comprised of magazine covers, LP's, clothing, furniture, lapel pins, stamp cachets.

Cox Gallery
Through January, 2009

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Exhibition Call for Entries

"Mermaid and Merwomen In Black Folklore"
Enslaved Africans along the coast of South Carolina brought some of the first tales of mermaids and merwomen to America. Many of these folktales were stories of African ocean and river goddesses.
Because of the rich oral traditions of these peoples, few if any of these stories were written until they were recorded by collectors of folk tales toward the end of the 19th century.

You are invited to share your visual interpretation of these myths by creating a Black Mermaid/Merwoman in an art doll or art quilt. More...
Mermaid image by: Joelle Colville 1999

"Grass Roots: The Enduring Art of the Lowcountry Basket"

America's oldest African inspired art is the subject of this new film -- a visual feast that captures the skill, artistry, and history embodied in the tradition of coiled sweetgrass basketry.

Visit the"Grass Roots" webpage.
Order your copy today

Portions of "Grass Roots" are featured in the "Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art"exhibition at the Gibbes Museum of Art, through
November 30, 2008. www.gibbesmuseum.org

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For books, audio, visual Gullah culture, history resources, African American materials, and holiday gift ideas, visit Avery's Gift Shop.