Gullah/Geechee CREATE Celebrates Culture, Creativity, and Coastal Stewardship on Historic St. Helena Island

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ March 16, 2026 ♦ Leave a comment

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, under the leadership of Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, proudly continues its cultural and environmental work through Gullah/Geechee CREATE, an innovative program in collaboration with South Carolina Sea Grant that merges art, environmental stewardship, and cultural education in the heart of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

Gullah/Geechee CREATE—Coastal Debris Removal Engaging Artists Through Environmental Cleanups—engages Gullah/Geechee artists and community members in transforming marine debris collected from coastal environments into meaningful works of art that educate the public and celebrate the resilience of the Sea Islands.  Through the program, community members participate in coastal cleanups, learn about the environmental challenges facing the Sea Islands, and witness how artists reclaim discarded materials from waterways and marshes to create powerful artistic statements about protecting the land and water that sustain the Gullah/Geechee people.

This creative environmental justice initiative aligns with the long-standing work of Queen Quet and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, the premiere advocacy organization founded in 1996 to protect Gullah/Geechee culture, land rights, and environmental sustainability. 

Upcoming Gullah/Geechee CREATE Events

Community members, artists, families, civic groups and cultural supporters are invited to gather on historic St. Helena Island, South Carolina, the epicenter of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, for upcoming CREATE programs celebrating art, culture, and environmental awareness.

Gullah/Geechee CREATE CREATE Artwork Showcase Event
📍 Reconstruction Era National Historical Park’s Darrah Hall on St. Helena Island, SC
🎟 Event details and registration:
Gullah/Geechee CREATE Showcase 2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981544028531?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gullah/Geechee CREATE Showcase 2026Jayn de Gullah/Geechee Famlee fa a celebration of art and tekin cyare ob de sea! Enjoy an afternoon viewing and…

Gullah/Geechee CREATE Coastal Art & Community Gathering
📍 St. Helena Island, SC
🎟 Event details and registration:
Gullah/Geechee CREATE Day 2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982078413892?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gullah/Geechee CREATE Day 2026 Jayn de Gullah/Geechee Famlee as we tek cyare de sea. Bring de famlee fa create wit we! Help remove debris fro…

These gatherings will highlight artwork created from materials recovered from the coastal environment while providing opportunities for attendees to learn about marine debris prevention, community science, and the cultural heritage of the Gullah/Geechee people.

Art, Environment, and Cultural Continuation

By combining environmental cleanup efforts with artistic expression, Gullah/Geechee CREATE empowers artists and community members to transform environmental challenges into cultural community education. The program also strengthens local networks working to protect the Sea Islands while supporting Gullah/Geechee artists and cultural practitioners.

For Queen Quet, this work reflects the Gullah/Geechee philosophy that caring for the land and water is essential to sustaining culture and community for future generations. “Ef we tek cyare Mudda Nature, e gwine tek cyare ob we!  We hafa hold pun we land and legacy!  WEBE Gullah/Geechee anointed people!” says Queen Quet.

Join the Movement

Community members, civic groups, students, artists, and supporters are encouraged to attend these upcoming events and witness how creativity, culture, and environmental stewardship unite in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

Learn more:
www.QueenQuet.com

http://www.GullahGeecheeNation.com