Communal Pen was created by Laura Green and EboniRamm with the South Carolina Arts Commission. They modeled the workshop guidelines and structure after the community writing initiative, Write Around Portland, to accompany the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street initiative in South Carolina. Ramm and Green facilitated dozens of workshops throughout the state with over a hundred participants. Laura Green continues to facilitate these workshops, and the upcoming Spark! Places of Innovation exhibition will feature several Communal Pen workshops at its locations.

In 2023, The Athenaeum Press partnered with the SC Arts Commission to expand and digitize the Communal Pen. The Communal Pen paired with the Press’ initiative to better document the underrepresented voices within the region of South Carolina. In our view, the workshops provide a vehicle to share stories that can build community. The Press is working on the following aspects to make the work of Communal Pen, both past and present, more visible:

1. A digital platform that will house stories shared in Communal Pen, as well as invite participants to share their own stories directly to the website.
2. A workshop template and facilitator’s guide that can help organizations and groups develop their own workshops.
3. A plan for a printed chapbook series, drawing on the Communal Pen stories.
4. More storytelling workshops that feature Press topics, from the environment to food traditions (see our upcoming events).

If you’re interested in participating, please fill out our survey or contact Alli Crandell, Athenaeum Press Director.