Liberation is Lit
OLD GROWTH: An Anthology Inspired by Congaree National Park
OLD GROWTH: An Anthology Inspired by Congaree National Park
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In the heart of South Carolina lies an ancient swampland sheltered beneath a canopy of old growth cypress and loblolly pine. Today known as Congaree National Park, this land was for millennia home to the Congaree and other native peoples. Later it also became a refuge for African peoples escaping enslavement.
The editors and contributors of this beautiful anthology of poetry, art, and prose illuminate Congaree National Park's history and honor the people who called it home. Their work contemplates Congaree's past and future and highlights a necessary truth in our turbulent times: diversity and biodiversity are both essential to thriving communities. The proceeds of this labor of love will ensure the protection of Congaree and these histories, and when you open these pages, you become part of this legacy
100% of profits go to Friends of Congaree Swamp
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.
To celebrate Congaree’s vast, complex, and enchanting history, we invited writers and artists to submit their work inspired by the park and their relationship to the physical space it occupies. Poets, essayists, painters, photographers, and more contributed their art and writing after spending time in and around Congaree, experiencing all its wonders and curiosities, and forming their own unique relationship to it.
Many of the works of art and writing incorporate the important history of the region as a place of rest and refuge for Native and African Americans, as well as pieces that feature the unique biodiversity of the UNESCO-designated Congaree Biosphere Reserve, and Congaree National Park itself, which contains the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. The anthology expresses the ways in which the landscape mirrors the resilience of the beings, human and more than human, who have inhabited this area from pre-historic times to the present.
Meet the Team
Cassie Premo Steele's newest book is the environmental novel, Beaver Girl, which takes place in Congaree National Park and was chosen as the 2024 One Book, One Community selection for the City of Columbia, South Carolina. An environmental poet, novelist, and essayist, she is author of 18 books, including 3 novels and 7 books of poetry. For the past 6 years, she has led seasonal Forest Wellness Journaling Workshops at Congaree National Park. “Still Here” is her monthly column for The Post and Courier's Free Times, highlighting the wild and rural places across the state of South Carolina, where she lives with her wife. Her websites are earthjoywriting.comand cassiepremosteele.com
Catalina Zavala Olvera is a designer and illustrator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. She earned her degree in Visual Communication Design from Winthrop University and has over seven years of experience in both agency and freelance work. At Yellow Duck Marketing, she develops brand systems, campaigns, and illustrations that balance strategy and storytelling. Her work includes projects for community initiatives, sustainable beer branding, and nonprofits such as First Gen Success and the Catawba Lands Conservancy. Outside of design, Catalina enjoys thrifting, traveling, and using creativity to make a positive impact in her community through design and volunteering. Visit CatalinaZO.com to view her portfolio.
Julie Hansard (Julie K. Art) is an artist and illustrator living in Columbia, SC. When she’s not painting or leafing through medieval manuscripts, she’s working as the Creative Director for independent bookstore All Good Books. Julie strives to educate others on the importance of endangered species conservation through the intersection of art, art history, and science. Her greatest hope is for her work to inspire others to learn more about our planet’s amazing creatures and how to protect them. Visit juliekart.com to view her gallery, shop, and more.
Kat Martin is a mixed media artist and educator based in Columbia, SC. She recently earned her BFA in art education from the University of South Carolina. In 2023, she was awarded the Ethel S. Brody scholarship and was funded to attend the Penland School of Craft, where she extended her artistic practice to papermaking. She now primarily uses handmade paper, printmaking and collage to explore themes of introspection, connection and healing. Kat enjoys hosting workshops and collaborating on projects that are opportunities for creative experimentation and authentic expression.
Maggie Olszewski is a Smith College graduate. At Smith, she majored in English and Film & Media Studies. Previously, she attended the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, where she participated in the school’s intensive creative writing program. She was selected as one of 2018's Top 15 Foyle Young Poets of the Year by the Poetry Society of London. Her chapbook, Laika, was published by Black Sunflowers Poetry Press in 2021.
Tayler Simonis a writer, book lover turned bookseller, social worker, and seeker of liberation for all. She is the owner of Liberation Is Lit, an independent bookstore and press that sparks collective action for liberation and community building among readers and book lovers by promoting stories from intersectional experiences. Tayler has been contributing to numerous online publications on anti-oppression since 2019. She has self-published four books:Phases,Writing Our Truths: A Guide to Self-Publishing for BIPOC Writers,Love and Other Forms of Heartbreak, and Black Madonna. Through her books, she has made a commitment to radical vulnerability, curiosity, and connection.