Culture // 3 min Read

The Art and Soul of Basket Weaving

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Steps beyond the quaint shops and cafes that dot Old Town Bluffton’s walkable streets, the colorful Maye River Gallery sits tucked between age-old live oaks cloaked in Spanish moss. Inside, local artist Donna Ireton’s extraordinary coiled baskets rest among bright watercolors, hammered metal jewelry, and smooth gourd sculptures.

Once essential for storing grains, meats, and other important supplies, baskets date to the earliest modern humans. The art of basket weaving developed independently among different cultures around the world, producing a range of rich styles and distinct forms that still endure today.

Ireton’s basketry style is an iconic blend of organic and contemporary styles. The self-taught artist’s modern works incorporate diverse natural materials, from palm pods and seashells to African driftwood and water buffalo horns. While most Lowcountry residents are familiar with sweetgrass baskets crafted from the region’s natural marsh grasses, Ireton looks up to the treetops rather than down to the salt marsh for her foundational basket making materials.

“I always admired the heavy branches of the longleaf pine,” she said. “It reminds me of a weeping willow.”

Ireton begins each basket with six longleaf pine needles or palm twigs, many dyed in calm blues and lush greens. As Ireton builds undulating rings of needles or twigs around her foundation, the design often takes on a life of its own, following the curvature of its support or bending to the natural direction of the coil. This natural process creates baskets characterized by a simple, understated form that ebbs and flows. Rich texture and earthy colors give each finished basket a rustic appeal.

Of course, this close connection with the earth is also vulnerable to outside forces, and perhaps that’s part of what makes Ireton’s craft so special. For years, the artist collected her basket weaving materials from a few areas where the island’s trees shed beautiful, long needles that she could easily access.

But that changed in 2016, when one of her primary trees toppled during Hurricane Matthew. After the storm subsided, Ireton harvested what she could from the fallen tree, using trash bags and hedge clippers to collect stacks of needles and place them into storage containers for safekeeping. Preserved in the dark containers, the needles dried to a unique sage green. The resulting baskets mixed shades of pale mint green with tones of weathered sand. Today, this palette still appears in much of Ireton’s work.

This year brought more change for Ireton, who moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, after calling Hilton Head Island home for 13 years. Always apt to find inspiration in her natural surroundings, she is already stripping the indigenous tumbleweed, dying the branches, and weaving them into her baskets. The Southwestern influence is visible in some of her pieces now on display at the Maye River Gallery, though the Lowcountry still shows through in much of her work.

And while her love for the Lowcountry will always bind her to Bluffton, Ireton relishes the opportunity to experience fresh adventures and a different lifestyle. “Don’t you ever get light feet?” she said.

As she embarks on her next adventure in New Mexico and becomes accustomed to new changes, one thing will remain the same: Ireton’s baskets continue to inhabit the corners and shelves of Bluffton’s Maye River Gallery, inviting customers to take them home or simply ponder their stories.

Written by Jessica Farthing

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

Artist in Residence
Sewing Sweetgrass

On a warm summer afternoon in Moreland Village, light streams in the windows of the Conservancy classroom as Michael Smalls and Dino Badger lay out bunches of sweetgrass and curling palmetto fronds. The workshop today is part of The Arts Initiative at Palmetto...

Jan 2025
bluffton south carolina upcoming events

Club Life
9 Can’t-Miss 2025 Events in the Lowcountry

2025 Events Near Palmetto Bluff Positioned in the heart of the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff stands as a beacon of coastal elegance, offering an unparalleled blend of luxurious living and unforgettable events that capture the essence of this charming region. In ...

Jan 2025
james swift, director of golf at palmetto bluff

Sporting Life
Behind the Bluff with Director of Golf: James Swift

James’ Journey to Palmetto Bluff At Palmetto Bluff, golf is more than a sport—it's an experience deeply rooted in the Lowcountry's natural beauty and unique culture. James Swift, the Director of Golf, brings a lifetime of dedication and passion to this except...

Jan 2025
palmetto bluff homes for sale

Architecture & Design
Real Estate Spotlight: Palmetto Bluff Builders Projects

Projects By the Palmetto Bluff Builders Team A home is more than just bricks and mortar; it's where cherished memories are made and dreams come to life. At Palmetto Bluff, the Palmetto Bluff Builders team brings your dream home to life by offering a curated c...

Jan 2025
palmetto bluff real estate co

Real Estate
Behind the Bluff: A Journey with Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Agent Martin Roache

Martin’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Situated in the heart of Bluffton, South Carolina, Palmetto Bluff is more than just a community—it's a place of magic and wonder. For Martin Roache, a dedicated sales agent with the Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Com...

Dec 2024
fishing in the lowcountry

Sporting Life
Cast a Line: Guide to Fall & Winter Fishing in the Lowcountry

Fishing in the Lowcountry is a beloved pastime year-round, but fall and winter bring a unique charm to the waters of South Carolina. With cooler temperatures, serene surroundings, and the promise of a great catch, the autumn and winter months offer some of the...

Dec 2024

Culture
2024 Wrapped: Top 10 Unforgettable Moments at Palmetto Bluff

Tis’ the season for wrapping, and we have plenty of gifts to share from 2024! This year was filled with exciting new beginnings and continued growth at Palmetto Bluff. From two new golf courses to awards for both Montage Palmetto Bluff and FLOW...

Dec 2024

Architecture & Design
Holiday Home Decor: Southern Charm and Timeless Traditions

Photos courtesy of Leah Bailey DesignPhoto credit: Kelli Boyd PhotographyAs the holiday season descends upon the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff becomes a festive haven, where classic Southern architecture meets personal style. Whether you prefer timeless elegance ...

Dec 2024

Food & Wine
From the Kitchen: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe

Executive Chef Beth Cosgrove and Registered Dietician Lindsay Ford recently led a Healthy Cooking Demonstration for residents interested in cooking healthy, delicious food to promote wellness. Attendees left with new recipes and flavors to try at home. The But...

Dec 2024

Sporting Life
4 Tips for Winterizing Your South Carolina Golf Game

Ways to Enhance Your Winter Golf Game Winter is quickly approaching, which means peak golf season is coming to an end. Although this is a slow time for golf, it doesn’t mean you can’t play or even enhance your game during this season. To keep your game in top...

Dec 2024

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us