Black River Cypress Preserve

“On June 10 – 12, 2021, John (the Dr. Babe) and I travelled 90 minutes outside of Charleston to the Black River Cypress Preserve. Celie Dailey, who wrote The Batik Art of Mary Edna Fraser and managed my studio for 15 years, is the botanist there.

We rode bikes 2.5 miles to the kayak landing, then had a gorgeous experience visiting a millennial cypress in its swampy home. Afterwards, Celie took us on a tour of areas where she has identified over 400 plants. 

Environmentalist Dana Beach, who works with the private owner Mr. Butler, paddled with our group in kayaks. I learned how to paint plein air on the tannic river.

Eventually I will be the first Artist in Residence and teach a class there. What a wonderful time in this 1,000-acre refuge!”

-MEF