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The Bottoms and Hills: Virginia Tales

by Arthenia J. Bates Millican

A collection of tales hinged upon “a way of life” in Southside Virginia, the “Old Dominion,” in the authentic language as heard by the author and originally written down in the late 1950s. This treasure was re-published posthumously in 2019 in cooperation with the Arthenia J. Bates Literary Foundation, in celebration of the author’s 99th birthday. 

With the original foreword by Charles H. Rowell and afterword by Jerry Ward, these sixteen stories capture “those haunted Black Virginia voices” that “constrained her to write about them, and she willingly became an instrument, as it were, through which the folk preserved their culture and traditions, including their art of story telling.” This edition faithfully recaptures the original, with new commentary and introductions by some of the great voices in Black America today.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the AJBM Literary Foundation, whose mission is to promote creative writing, and “to utilize Millican’s literary work to help the parents, students and members of the community reclaim their pride in the creative imaginings of South Carolina.”

Available from Millican Arts

Prefer to write a check?
Make the check out to: Millican Arts Foundation
Mail to: 2515 Oakland Avenue Sumter, SC 29151
Virginia Tales Bottoms and Hills 3d Book cover (1)

Such Things from the Valley

by Arthenia J. Bates Millican

 

The story “Rena” was written with the aid of a 1976 Creative Writing Fellowship Grant awarded by The National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC. The second story, “Where You Belong” is the award-winning story in the 1976 competition by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Out of print and available only from Millican Arts.
Arthenia JB Millican Such Things from The Valley Book Cover2 (1)

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Make the check out to: Millican Arts Foundation
Mail to: 2515 Oakland Avenue Sumter, SC 29151
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Arts Education

“Whose Story Is It?” Theatre Arts Curriculum

A six-week journey into theatre arts, built on Dr. Millican’s story “Little Jake” — where performance becomes a pathway to self-discovery, empathy, and community connection.

Whose Story Is It? Student Guide cover

Overview

Teacher and Student Guide

The “Whose Story Is It?” theatre arts curriculum, based on Dr. Millican’s short story “Little Jake,” is a six-week program where students explore performance, empathy, and storytelling.

Contact for Pricing
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Curriculum Video

Program Introduction

A six-minute walkthrough of the curriculum — how it works, what students experience, and what teachers need to know.

Watch Video
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Story Trailer

Little Jake

A short introduction to “Little Jake” — the story at the heart of the curriculum — and the world of Whose Story Is It?

Watch Trailer

“Whose Story Is It?” is available now for schools, arts educators, and other arts organizations. Contact MillicanArts@MillicanArts.org or call (704) 942-4130 for curriculum pricing and licensing.

“Whose Story Is It?” is available now for schools, arts educators, and other arts organizations. Contact MillicanArts@MillicanArts.org or call (704) 942-4130 for curriculum pricing and licensing.