Past Recipients
Presented by the South Carolina General Assembly to practitioners and advocates of traditional arts significant to communities throughout the state.
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2024
Because of circumstances beyond the SCAC’s control, no Folk Heritage Awards were presented in 2024.
2023
- Emily Meggett, Edisto Island – Gullah Geechee Chef (Posthumous)
- Hampton Rembert, Bishopville – Gospel Singing
2022
- Justin Guy, Edgefield – Traditional Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Pottery
- Ann Phillips, Sumter – Quilting
- Duncan Rutherfurd, Aiken – Advocacy (Custom knifemaking)
2021
- Jugnu Verma, Lexington – Traditional Indian Folk Art
- Robert W. Hill III, Plantersville – Advocacy (American Long Rifle & Accoutrements)
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2020
- Kristin Scott Benson, Boiling Springs – Bluegrass Banjo
- David Galloway, Seneca – Spiritual Gospel Singing
- Voices of El Shaddai Choir, Hilton Head Island/Bluffton area – Lowcountry Gospel Music
- Judy Twitty, Gilbert – Quilting
- Vennie Deas Moore, Georgetown – Advocacy (Folklore and Cultural Preservation)
2019
- John Andrew (Andy) Brooks, Liberty – Old-Time Music
- Dorothy Brown Glover, Lincolnville – Quilting
- Julian A. Prosser, Columbia – Bluegrass Music
- Voices of Gullah Singers, St. Helena Island – Gullah Singing
- Dale Rosengarten, Ph.D.; McClellanville – Advocacy (African-American Lowcountry Basketry & Southern Jewish Heritage)
2018
- J. Michael King, Greenville – Piedmont Blues
- Deacon James Garfield Smalls, St. Helena Island – Traditional Spirituals
- Henrietta Snype, Mount Pleasant – Sweetgrass Basketry
- The Blackville Community Choir, Blackville – A Capella Spiritual and Gospel Singing
- Dr. Stephen Criswell, Lancaster – Advocacy
2017
- Peggie Hartwell, Summerville – Narrative Quiltmaking
- Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Association, Mount Pleasant – Traditional Arts Organization
- Dan and Norma Hendricks, Pickens – Advocacy, Bluegrass and Gospel Music
2016
- Bill Harris, Chief of the Catawba Nation, Rock Hill – Catawba Pottery
- Harold Clayton (posthumous), Gray Court – Advocacy, Bluegrass and Gospel Music
2015
- The James Brothers, Lyman – Gospel Music
- Betty McDaniel, Pickens – Advocacy, Southern Appalachian Culture
2014
- Christopher Boutwell, Lexington – Bluegrass Music
- Anita Singleton-Prather, Beaufort – Advocacy, Gullah Culture
2013
- John Thomas Fowler, Boiling Springs – Master Musician, Performer, and Storyteller
- Stanley Woodward, Greenville – Advocacy, Documentary Filmmaking
2012
- Ashley Carder, Leesville – Fiddle Music
- Marvin F. Grant, Georgetown – Hammock Maker
- Stephen T. Ferrell, Edgefield – Advocacy, Alkaline-Glazed Pottery
2011
- Willie Van Brailey, Orangeburg – Chair Caning
- Florence Harris Wade, Rock Hill – Catawba Pottery
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2010
- Harold Wayne Turner, Pickens – Luthier
- Freddie Vanderford, Buffalo – Piedmont Blues
2009
- Joseph Legree, Jr., St. Helena Island – Cast Net Weaving
- Donald Roper, Piedmont – Advocacy, Textile Mill Culture
2008
- Will Moreau Goins, Columbia – Native American Traditions
- Richard “Chip” Chipman, Moncks Corner – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
2007
- Lousie Miller Cohen, Hilton Head Island – Gullah Traditions
- Alda Smith, Belton – Advocacy, Country Music
2006
- Mac Arnold, Pelzer – Blues Music
- Lena Allen Davis, Anderson – Shape-Note Music
- T.C. Foster, Laurens – Old-Time Fiddling
- Guy and Tina Faulk, Bethera – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
2005
- Nancy Basket, Walhalla – Native Basketmaking
- Eugenia P. Deas, McClellanville – Gullah Storytelling
- Cootie Stark, Greenville – Blues Music
- Charles Summer, Buffalo – Old-Time Fiddling
- Jack Doyle, Sumter – Advocacy, Traditional Storytelling
2004
- Ted Brackett, Inman – Old-Time Fiddling
- Willie Dereef, Pawleys Island – Bateau Building
- Evelyn George, Rock Hill – Catawba Pottery
- Gale McKinley, Anderson – Split-Oak Basketmaking
- Larry Klein, Columbia – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
2003
- Maree Dowdey, West Columbia – Traditional Domestic Arts
- George Herron, Springfield – Bladesmithing
- Shell Johnson, St. George – Camp Meeting Horn Blowing
- Loyd “Slick” & Steve McGaha, Pickens – Bones & Blues Guitar
- Bill Kinney, Jr., Bennettsville – Advocacy, Folklife & Traditional Arts
2002
- Harriett Bailem Brown, Mount Pleasant – Sweetgrass Basketmaking
- James Brown, Aiken – Soul, Gospel, & Funk Music
- Neil D. Cost, Greenwood – Turkey Call Maker
- Together as One Hymn Choir, Rock Hill – Common Meter Spirituals
- Jennings Chestnut, Sr., Conway – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
2001
- Bill Pinkney, Sumter – Gospel & Beach Music
- Sonoco Men’s Club, Hartsville – Gospel
- Al Wall, Charleston – Bluegrass & Western Swing Music
- Willie Lee Williams, Varnville – Hashmaking
- Marquetta L. Goodwine, St. Helena Island – Advocacy, Gullah Culture
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2000
- Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, College of Charleston, Charleston – Advocacy, African American Folklife
- Jeanette Gaillard Lee, Mount Pleasant – Sweetgrass Basketmaking
- J.C. Owens, Pickens – Old-Time Fiddling
- The Red White Family, Conway – Gospel
1999
- Nola Harris Campbell, Rock Hill – Catawba Pottery
- The Jackson Brothers, Easley – Gospel
- Harold Vernon Riddle, Spartanburg – Old-Time Fiddling
- “Colonel” Gene Wyatt, Spartanburg – Traditional Country Flat Pick Guitar
- Veronica D. Gerald, St. Helena Island – Advocacy, Gullah Culture
1998
- Tom Boozer, Yonges Island – Decoy Carving
- Nick Hallman, Pickens – Old-Time Country Music
- Buford Mabry, Sumter – Storytelling
- Carolyn “Jabulile” White, James Island – Storytelling
- Bill Wells, West Columbia – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
1997
- Marie Brailey, Orangeburg – Chair Caning
- Clarence Jackson, Moncks Corner – Old-Time Country & Bluegrass Music
- Geneva Lena Loewe, Awendaw – Quiltmaking
- Charles “CeCe” Williams, Awendaw – Cast Net Making & Cane Carving
- Ron & Natalie Daise, Beaufort – Advocacy, Gullah Culture & Language
1996
- Bobby Branton, Awendaw – Bladesmithing
- Claude Casey, Johnston – Western Swing Music
- Wade Leitner, Lexington – Instrument Making
- Pat Ahrens, Columbia – Advocacy, Bluegrass Music
1995
- All Male Chorus of Blacksburg, Blacksburg – Gospel
- Agnes Brown, McClellanville – Gullah Traditions
- Ike Carpenter, Trenton – Furniture Making & Woodcarving
- Roger Bellow, Folly Beach – Advocacy, Old-Time Country Music
1994
- James Bollack, Port Royal – Cast Net Making
- Mary Alberta Green, Andrews – Quiltmaking
- Deacon Robert E. Nelson, Sr., and The Springfield Baptist Singing Convention, Greenwood – Shape-Note Music
- Henry Smith, Georgetown – African-American Sacred Music & Work Songs
- Hallelujah Singers, Beaufort – Advocacy, Gullah Music & Storytelling
1993
- The Brotherhood Gospel Singers, Mount Pleasant – Gospel
- Archie Hunter, Florence – Furniture Making
- The Lucas Sisters, Charleston – Gospel
- Old Morrisville Brass Band, Andrews – Jump-Up Band
- Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, Rock Hill – Advocacy, Catawba Indian Culture
1992
- The James Bing Note Singers, Williston – Shape Note Music
- The Kittrell Sisters, Columbia – Cowboy Music
- Lucas Family, Gaston – Bluegrass & Old-Time Country Music
- Louise Nesbit, Pawleys Island – Quiltmaking
1991
- J.D. Benson, Seneca – Mouth Harp
- Joe Cumbee, McClellanville – Painting
- Billy Henson, Lyman – Alkaline-Glazed Pottery
- The Malloy Family, Chesterfield – Gospel
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1990
- Grover Hammond, Clarks Hill – Split-Oak Basketmaking
- Moving Star Hall Singers, John’s Island – Praise House Spirituals
- Mt. Pleasant Sweetgrass Basketmakers’ Association, Mount Pleasant – Sweetgrass Basketry
- Drink Small, Columbia – Blues Music
1989
- Sara Ayers, West Columbia – Catawba Pottery
- Carrie Grate Coachman, Pawleys Island – Quiltmaking
- James Harbin, Jr., Anderson – Shape-Note Music
- The Jarvis Brothers, Orangeburg – Gospel
1988
- Elbert Brown, Pendleton – Split-Oak Basketmaking
- The Chosen Sisters, Georgetown – Gospel
- DeWitt “Snuffy” Jenkins & Homer “Pappy” Sherrill, Columbia & Chapin – Bluegrass & Old-Time Country Music
- Philip Simmons, Charleston – Blacksmithing