Communal Pen is a community writing initiative that showcases the dynamic stories of South Carolina. There will be a variety of workshops in October, including several in-person programs in Columbia as well as a variety of virtual programs. SC Humanities helped support the Communal Pen through our partnership with the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Communal Pen workshops were developed by the South Carolina Arts Commission, in partnership with South Carolina Humanities, to connect the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibits, Museum on Main Street, with their host sites through storytelling. In 2023, The Communal Pen became a partnership between the Athenaeum Press at Coastal Carolina University and the South Carolina Arts Commission, supported with funding from SC Humanities.
Communal Pen workshops are intended for people of all levels of writing experience. The atmosphere is open and supportive. Each workshop has a facilitator team and thoughtful prompts with the goal of creating community connection.
Upcoming events include:
Thursday, October 9, 6:30 p.m.: High School Friday Nights (In Person; Columbia)
Join guest facilitator Melanie McGehee at the WECO Biergarten to share your favorite moments under the Friday field lights.
WECO Biergarten | 626 Meeting St, West Columbia, SC 29169
Free, but registration is required
Register
Saturday, October 11, 2 p.m.: Saturday Morning Shoppers – Treasure Hunting (Virtual)
Join guest facilitator Melanie McGehee as we explore Saturday morning treasure hunting.
Register
Sunday, October 11, 2 p.m.: Sunday Dinners around the Table (In Person; Columbia)
Join guest facilitator Melanie McGehee as we reflect on Sunday dinner traditions at All Good Books in Columbia.
All Good Books | 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC 29205
Free, but registration is required
Register
Friday, October 17, 12 p.m.: Clicking the Pen Lunch Hour (Virtual)
Register
Monday, October 20, 7 p.m.: Write Home series – Trick or Treat (Virtual)
A collaboration with the #whatshesaidproject team Melanie McGehee and Shannon Ivey, join these facilitated workshops on letters to your younger self. This workshop focuses on the mixed bag of adulthood.
Register
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m.: Write Home Series – Costumes and Masquerades (Virtual)
A collaboration with the #whatshesaidproject team Melanie McGehee and Shannon Ivey join these facilitated workshops on letters to your younger self. This workshop focuses on the costumes and masquerades.
Register
Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m.: Folklore (Virtual)
Join the Press team as we explore all that is spooky and haunted about South Carolina. From big foot to Grey Man, from the tales told in your town to the tales from out of town.
Register
More information about the Communal Pen, as well as a digital record of some of the stories shared over the years can be found at: https://communalpen.com/.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.