ARC Sets Second Saturday Speaker Series

Special To The Weekly Vista

Village on the Lakes Writers and Poets announces "Second Season" at The Artist Retreat Center, 13467 Lookout Drive in Old Bella Vista.

The Literary Guild is co-sponsored by the ARC and the Bella Vista Public Library and welcomes all to enjoy reading and support our local writers. The Guild is open to the public and hosts two monthly events at the ARC.

The Second Saturday Speaker Series highlights a featured author who reads from their work, followed by an open-mic session for those who want to read a four-minute excerpt of their own work before an audience. This year Bella Vista's own Wrangler Steve Gunter, a storyteller, historian and retired Bentonville High School English teacher, will be the host and MC of the open-mic session. The Speaker Series and Open-Mic Night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. Children's Series Author Meg Dendler kicked off the second season on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The Second Wednesday Writers Group is an informal meeting and workshop held at The Artist Retreat Center. It is free and open to the public, as well. Writers are invited to bring their completed work or work-in-progress to share with other writers for constructive feedback. Fayetteville author Nancy Hartney will be presenting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. Hartney will be talking about how to create action and movement in writing and what tools can best move action along in a story.

Featured speakers for the upcoming season of Second Saturday Speaker Series and Open-Mic Night are:

• Oct. 8: Dr. Curtis Harrell, NWACC English professor, interactive hyper poet, Bluegrass and banjo player, and crafter of Ozark banjos

• Nov. 12: BJ Tassin, author of "Bon-fide," an Ozark story of a colorful family living in Whisper Ridge

• Dec. 10: Talya Tate Boerner, author of "The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee"

Both of the monthly events are free and open to the public, but reservations should be made for the Second Saturday Speaker Series and Open-Mic Night by calling the Artist Retreat Center at 479-268-6463.

Those interested in joining the local writers group or receiving information about future events can contact Joanie Roberts at [email protected].

Community on 09/14/2016