Upstate Forever Book Captures Prestigious Printing Award

May 13, 2015

SPARTANBURG, SC – Upstate Forever (www.upstateforever.org) announced that their recently published book, Web of Water: Reflections of Life Along the Saluda and Reedy Rivers, has won an award from PICA (Printing Industry of the Carolinas).

The PICA award is the prestigious, premier symbol of excellence for the graphics industry in the Carolinas. Web of Water captured a win in the “Best Of” Category for Hard Cover Books in the 2014 competition. All aspects of the production process are evaluated, from the quality of the printing and binding to the overall presentation. PICA is the North and South Carolina division of the PIA (Printing Industries of America) organization. A sampling of images from the book can be found at upstateforever.org/webofwater.

“The creation of this book took the time and talents of many, and we are beyond proud to be recognized for such a significant award,” stated Angela Viney, Director of Development and the Spartanburg Office for Upstate Forever. “Web of Water is a celebration of the single element that connects our natural resources to our culture, heritage, and quality of life, and supports the important mission of our organization.”

Web of Water: Reflections of Life Along the Saluda and Reedy Rivers, consists of images collected in the Saluda-Reedy watershed by four South Carolina photographers: Tom Blagden, Clay Bolt, Jon holloway, and Ben Geer Keys, and essays by Upstate nature writer John Lane. Upstate Forever partnered with Spartanburg-based Hub City Press to publish the book. One hundred percent of proceeds from book sales directly benefit the continued work of Upstate Forever on the Saluda-Reedy watershed.

“We are honored for our book to win this award,” stated Clay Bolt, the book’s designer and one of its four photographers. “Web of Water was conceived as a way to help reconnect people with the wildlife that lives within their own communities. A connection to nature begins at home, and this book pays homage to the abundance of natural beauty in our area.”

“We believe that great work and innovation should be recognized,” stated Steve Foster of Electric City Printing, who printed the book. “After many years of working in this industry, you just know when you are working on a special piece. We knew that Web of Water was a winner.”

Winners were honored at the 49th Annual PICA Awards Banquet, held on Saturday, April 18 at 5:30pm at the Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Spa, Concord, NC. More information can be found at www.picanet.org/awards/.

 

About Upstate Forever

Upstate Forever is a non-profit organization promoting sensible growth and protecting special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The organization strives to develop clean water, healthy air and abundant green space across the entire Upstate; encourage a pattern of development with reduced fiscal and environmental impacts; and support fully informed and engaged citizens throughout the region. With offices in Greenville and Spartanburg, Upstate Forever focuses on three programs – Clean Air & Water, Sustainable Communities, and Land Trust.