Inspired: Fiber Artist Sarah Mandell - October 19th, 2020

Sarah Mandell creates realistic needle felted landscapes inspired by the beauty she finds in Upstate SC's mountains, lakes, farms, and forests. In this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, she tells us more about her work, process, and inspiration. read more

Inspired: Abstract Expressionist Painter Roberto Cortez - October 19th, 2020

Self-taught painter Roberto Cortez reflects on how the beauty and landscapes of the Upstate inspire his abstract work in this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate. read more

Inspired: Contemporary Landscape Painter Jessica Fields - October 19th, 2020

When painter Jessica Fields moved to the Upstate from Texas nearly a decade ago, her work transformed. In this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Jessica discusses the impact of this change in scenery on her painting and how she continues to find inspiration during the ongoing pandemic. read more

Inspired: Weaver Nancy Basket - October 19th, 2020

Cherokee basket weaver Nancy Basket moved to the Upstate several decades ago to discover the land her ancestors once called home. Here, she found their stories, culture, and traditions of the Cherokee elders, as well as a material that inspired an unexpected new path in her basket weaving work. In this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Nancy shares lessons learned from kudzu and the importance of nature. read more

Inspired: Printmaker Kent Ambler - October 19th, 2020

After several years living in the American Southwest, artist Kent Ambler longed for the lush green landscapes of the East Coast In this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Kent shares how the landscapes that now surround him influence his work. read more

Inspired: Abstract Painter and Collage Artist Allison Ford - October 19th, 2020

In this essay published in the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, painter and collage artist Allison Ford shares her journey as an artist and seeking solace — and inspiration — in nature during the ongoing pandemic. read more

The latest issue of the Upstate Advocate has arrived - October 18th, 2020

Read more about the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Upstate Forever's twice-yearly print publication. read more

By Andrea Cooper

500-acre Cedar Rock easement transferred to Upstate Forever - October 15th, 2020

Recently, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina transferred a 500-acre conservation easement to Upstate Forever. This "new to us" easement is located in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains adjacent to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. read more

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