Summerville Journal Scene
She fell in love with the region and was especially fascinated by the Gullah culture. She had a slight familiarity with the Gullah because of her background in cultural anthropology and linguistics.
Upon meeting a Gullah neighbor, however, she realized she couldn’t understand a word the woman said. The two communicated with sign language. Cantlon was fascinated by the Gullah culture and began researching all aspects, including the language, stories and cuisine.
Cantlon was already an artist. She was well-known for her Santa characters, sculptures from 10 inches high to more than three feet tall that represent Santa Claus from a variety of cultures, primarily European.
The Gullah gave her new inspiration, and she began creating Gullah characters, sculptures about 18 inches tall.
She also began to paint, creating scenes of the Gullah at work and at play. Her cards, which show such Lowcountry scenes as shrimping, making sweet grass baskets and a shopper on King Street, include either background information or a Lowcountry recipe on the back.
This will be Cantlon’s first year at the Flowertown Festival, although she has sold her work at the farmer’s market at Marion Square in Charleston, plantation gift shops and the South Carolina State Museum, she said.
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