The Queen Anne’s County Free Library has published a creative arts journal called Voices and Visions. Copies are available free of charge at the Centreville and Kent Island Branches.

Scheduled for two editions annually and edited by Glenn Shiring, the journal provides a unique opportunity for writers and artists of all ages to publish their work. Paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media art, poetry, and short stories are featured in the first issue. Many contributors are county residents; other submissions were received from around the Eastern Shore and other states.

Printing is provided by Eastern Shore Regional Library in Salisbury. Each copy costs about $4 to produce. The library is seeking corporate and individual sponsors for future volumes.

Submissions for the Winter 2013 issue may be placed in the Voices and Visions submission boxes located in each library, mailed to V&V Editor, PO Box 177, Grasonville, MD 21638, or emailed to glenn@dreamriot.com.

Shiring, who also teaches art classes at the library, volunteered his time to create the journal. “Community art journals have played a big part in my life. No creative outlets like this really existed around here, so I did my best to fill the void,” said Shiring. “Thank you to all the contributors. I am very proud of what we came up with.”

Digital copies of the journal will be available on the library’s website (www.quan.lib.md.us), along with a complete calendar of events. In addition to Shiring’s art classes at both locations, the Kent Island Branch also hosts a teen writers group and a monthly adult writers group.

For more information about the journal or library events, please visit the Kent Island Branch Library, 200 Library Circle, Stevensville or the Centreville Branch, 121 S. Commerce St. or call (410) 643-8161 or (410) 758-0980.