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Woven with passion: ‘The Vine Man’ visits Pebble Hill

As part of the Alabama Folklife Association’s Traditional Artist-in-Residence program, Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities recently welcomed a special guest to Pebble Hill: Andrew McCall, affectionately known as “The Vine Man.”

A Lowndes County native, McCall has spent the past four decades transforming salvaged wood and locally harvested vines into handcrafted furniture, baskets and folk art.

Before leading a hands-on public workshop, McCall met with students from Auburn’s Advanced Drawing class, taught by Professor Shuk Han Lui.

The class listened intently as McCall demonstrated his basket-weaving process and shared his journey from making grapevine wreaths out of necessity to building a full-time art business. He encouraged students to pursue creativity with purpose.

He also spoke about the importance of leaving unfulfilling work behind.

“When you get up in the morning and you have a job or career and you hate it, get out of it. It’s no good for you,” he said. “But when you get up 40 years later and still like what you're doing, that’s your passion.”

His message resonated deeply with students.

Blake Urban, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student concentrating in animation, appreciated McCall’s adaptable, grounded approach to creativity. 

“He was able to be adaptable with his work,” Urban said. “If something pops up, he works around it.”

“I learned that to truly pursue your passions, you need to drop the things that really do not fulfill you,” added Bailey Gosser, a studio art major.

Later that afternoon, McCall brought his craft to life during a free workshop. Community members of all ages gathered at Pebble Hill to learn how to twist wisteria vines into rustic, functional baskets.

As he demonstrated, McCall explained how his creative process mirrors the nature of the materials.

“Vines have a tendency to take their own course,” he said. “And I don’t fight—I just follow. Because when you follow, it comes naturally. So when it comes out, it’s going to be different from every other basket.”

Beyond technique, McCall urged his audience to create with care and intention.

“Whatever you do, do it good. Do it to last. Don’t just blow through it,” he said. “Don’t let the dollar be your leader. Money is great, but you can’t do it for that alone.”

Workshop attendees left with handcrafted pieces and a deeper appreciation for creativity, passion and resilience.

Learn more about events at the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities. 

Tags: Community, Outreach and Engagement Arts and Culture Art and Art History Center for the Arts and Humanities