DEER LAKE — This weekend the Page One Writers' Group will host its first Pictures and Words Festival to showcase local artists and authors.
Pictures and Words will allow local writers and authors to show their stuff, whether they're painting or writing fiction. It will feature local talent like Frank Dyke, Terry Manual and Bernard Schwartz.
Festival spokesperson Amanda Stephen said the plan is to make the gathering an annual affair.
"This is our first year, our debut as it were," she said. "We see it as a chance to get local writers and artists from the area to get together and exchange ideas, and to show (residents) that they don't need to go somewhere else to experience great art or writing."
Local author Nellie Strowbridge will take part on Saturday, and hopes the festival will garner enough support to become a yearly event.
"I enjoy reading and I can hopefully inspire others to do their own writing," she said. "I think reaching out to people in the community (is important) and it's always great when Page One gets support for the work they do."
The plan is to have one writer performing a reading per hour, with each reading lasting approximately 10-15 minutes. Locally made arts and crafts will also be on display and a writer from New Brunswick will also attend.
In spite of the fact that it will be held in a two-storey office, organizers say every attempt will be made to help those with mobility issues to fully enjoy everything the Pictures and Words Festival has to offer, including having copies of artistry on the first floor that are upstairs.
Stephen hopes the festival gets the word out about the level of talent in the area.
"There are so many artists and writers in the area and people don't realize it," she said. "We are so lucky to have such a thriving artistic community and we hope to show them that this is what's here."
She said they also hope to attract other artistic people who haven't had an opportunity to show off their talents.
The Pictures and Words Festival will run Friday from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. and will conclude Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 635-4090 or visit the Page One Writers' Facebook page.
