The Fairhope Public Library will host a compelling conversation on aging and creativity, featuring contributors to the new book "Old Enough: Southern Women Artists and Writers on Creativity and Aging."

The event, scheduled for Aug. 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Giddens Conference Room, will bring together six of the book's contributors: Patricia Foster, Jennifer Horne, Jay Lamar, Wendy Reed, Jeanie Thompson and Jacqueline Allen Trimble. The evening will include readings, an audience Q&A session and book signings.

"Old Enough," published by the University of Georgia Press, gathers the voices of 21 women artists and writers as they candidly discuss the experience of growing older. The contributors span a diverse range of backgrounds—gay, straight, unmarried, partnered, widowed, Black, white, Latinx, retired and working—each offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of aging.

These women do not shy away from addressing the difficulties that come with age, such as health concerns, loss and the societal ageism that often diminishes the experience of older women. Yet, their essays also highlight the gifts that aging can bring: self-knowledge, insight and acceptance. Each piece is paired with a striking portrait by award-winning photographer Carolyn Sherer, herself a contributor to the volume, adding a visual dimension to the poignant reflections.

The collection champions the ongoing creative practices of these women, many of whom reflect on their earliest connections to art and how they have maintained or reinvigorated their artistic pursuits over time. Despite the hurdles that aging can present, these artists and writers remain committed to creating, exploring and staying creatively vibrant.

The event will be introduced by acclaimed Southern author Frye Gaillard, setting the stage for what promises to be an enlightening evening. Whether you are an artist, a writer or simply someone interested in the intersection of creativity and aging, this discussion is sure to resonate.

The Fairhope Public Library is located at 501 Fairhope Ave. in Fairhope. For more information, visit the library's website at https://fairhopelibrary.org/.