The Warren County Artist Market (WAM) hosted a hybrid book launch for their latest anthology, TEN last Friday (5/9). Comprised of poems, short stories, and essays incorporating the theme of “ten,” the collection celebrates the successful, decade-long run of First Friday Poetry Night hosted by the creative group in Warren County, NC.

Anita Lynn Williams, who co-edited the anthology with her friend and mentor, Kim Schroeder, emceed the festivities in The Hive, located in downtown Warrenton.

In 2013, WAM was co-founded by Thomas Park and Arlene Bice and, today, includes members Williams and Sterling Cheston, Jr. They host the monthly event every first Friday of the month at 7pm at The Hive (108 S. Main Street). It is free and open to the public. For more information about the Warren Artist Market, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WarrenCountyArtistsMarketBirdland.

TEN is now available in paperback and Kindle ebook: https://amzn.to/3GQk8CJ

TEN Book Launch Party hosted by Warren Artist Market

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Joined by the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Warrenton, and mural artist Tom Lang, residents and friends from afar celebrated the new Eastern Bluebird Mural with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Eastern Bluebird Festival on Saturday, April 26th in downtown Warrenton.

Ahead of last year’s festival, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed Warrenton, NC as the National Eastern Bluebird Capital because the town has the highest concentration of them.

Warren County Government is inviting residents to help shape a new public art piece by voting for their favorite mural design.

The poll opens this Friday, April 4, during the Statewide Star Party and will determine the artwork that will adorn the Magnolia Ernest Recreation Center pool building. The mural will celebrate the history and legacy of Soul City, a pioneering planned community founded in the 1970s with a vision of Black empowerment and economic opportunity.

Residents can cast their votes online via the Warren County Government Facebook page or website, as well as in person at the Statewide Star Party on April 4 or at the Warren County Memorial Library. Voting will close on April 14, with the winning design announced via Facebook Live on April 17.

The mural is part of artist Max Dowdle’s Legacy NC project, an initiative aiming to create public murals in all 100 North Carolina counties. Each mural highlights local history and unsung heroes, weaving a visual narrative that connects communities across the state. The two designs up for consideration were developed through collaboration between Dowdle, a committee of Soul City residents and community leaders, and members of the Warren County arts community.

Beyond selecting the design, residents will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the mural’s creation. Community members are invited to take part in the painting process, further embedding local pride and participation into the project.

The Warren County Facebook page and website will soon have details on how to sign up for the painting experience.