Folklore of South Carolina

From the Grey Man to Bruh Rabbit, South Carolina’s folk tales offer a peak into the state’s rich heritage. Explore and share the mythical and legendary stories from your life.

This is the second workshop in a May series of virtual community writing workshops with additional opportunities for in-person, follow-up activities in locations throughout South Carolina. Under the banner of Communal Pen, in collaboration with South Carolina Arts Commission, these workshops will explore distinctly South Carolinian resources, sights, and stories, and what they mean to participants, both Bin Ya and Come Ya.

Join us as we delve into regional folklore with Dr. Nancy Tolson, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Tolson, a born storyteller and expert on Black folklore, will conjure the rich Southern tradition of spinning colorful tales that feature dynamic characters and voices. Participants will have the opportunity to share some South Carolina tales of their own.

The Athenaeum Press, CCU’s student-driven publishing lab, operates to make the phrase “Local Stories Matter” a reality. This workshop series is part of Athenaeum Press’s new collaboration with Communal Pen. Originally established by the South Carolina Arts Commission in 2010, these sessions showcase stories to explore the dynamic and ever-changing state of South Carolina. Communal Pen creates space for, amplifies, and connects unheard voices through writing workshops, curated publications, and a digital platform.

Communal Pen workshops draw upon and even rekindle memories deeply rooted in their geography, culture, community, and family. Past participants have expressed gratitude for the opportunity of having a shared memory with people from different backgrounds and communities.

Facilitator

Our workshop will be co-facilitated by Dr. Nancy Tolson, the undergraduate director of African American Studies at University of South Carolina. She is an accomplished scholar and researcher of Black folklore, as well as a renowned storyteller.

Event Details

Date:
May 18, 2024 10:00 am

Duration:
2 hours

Virtual

Location:
Zoom (register for link)

Follow this link to register for the event

Stories from this Collection

I enjoyed this experience very much. I enjoyed meeting people and other writers and being able to hear their stories. This is a great opportunity to cold write and get something done off the cuff and, in many ways, has helped me reconnect to writing.

Rob McManus
I appreciate the freedom of expression, the community, the sharing, and the encouragement the Communal Pen offers. It goes beyond just the individual writing or putting things down on paper… it allows you to be inventive and to see things in a different way.

Janice Johnson
The facilitators really cared about what everyone had to say. They really cared, and I feel like that was unique. They give everyone space to share their stories from our community. The black culture is so strong in tying stories together and handing things down over the generations, and I am excited that this workshop seems to share that goal. Connecting to a community that wants to listen to stories and share them like that is powerful.

Patricia
I love folklore, and sharing stories of people’s families. The family stories that may or may not have been embellished over the years… it made me think back on my family stories. Hearing the stories of other attendees made me realize that we have such a rich history of folklore and stories in South Carolina. Listening to the stories gave you a wonderful front porch feeling. It was immediately so comfortable and welcoming.

Eden
No matter what the topic is, the Communal Pen makes you go deeper and share the stories that inspire you. I loved going a little deeper with the other writers, then going deeper into what people see and think. There are no barriers to stop us from expressing ourselves. I learned how to relax and tell my stories to the people in my community.

Sandy