Marie-Élaine Dion
Communications Coordinator, Townshippers' Association

Taproot II, a collection of prose, poetry and images from the Eastern Townships, is hot off the press. Published by Townshippers' Association's Heritage & Cultural Affairs Committee, the book features English-speaking authors, poets, painters, and photographers of all ages from all around the region.

In all, 46 artists are represented in the 140-page book. Each of the 61 pieces featured was submitted to a jury who read, picked, and re-read every piece before making a final selection. A team of editors led by Brenda Hartwell worked on the book for many months before it went to press. Hartwell was assisted by Carolyn Rowell and Ann Scowcroft.

According to Hartwell, the moving spirit behind the project, "if we want to retain the creative people who live in the region and attract other artists to the Townships, we need to have a local showcase of what is being produced."



Officially launched at the Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts in September, Taproot's cover, pictured here, features a stunning watercolour by Denis Palmer, of Randboro, Québec.

Taproot II: Poetry, Prose and Images from the Eastern Townships, is available for $10.00 at the Association's offices in Lennoxville and Cowansville. For more information, call (819) 566-5717.