Snapshot: OLACON 2023

Jannine Jones talks with Heather S. Cole, author of “Virginia’s Presidents: A History and Guide,” during Taming of the Brew. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Pictured, left to right: Heather Griffin and Cindy Pagan, owners of Spelled Ink bookstore and founders of the Orange Literary and Arts Convention. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Handmade jewelry on display during the vendor sale on Church Street. (Photo Credit: Cindy Pagan)

Adult spelling bee contestants with emcee Jess Cifizzari. (Hint: If you look closely, you might see confirmation that a certain OC Bulletin editor can, in fact, spell.) (Photo Credit: Cindy Pagan)

Fire and Ice owner LaNika Barnes is a full-time educator in addition to running her own business. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Chris Miller weaves a handmade cotton potholder. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Glaze-your-own pottery studio Paint It Orange took part in several events throughout the day, including the vendor fair. (Photo Credit: Jess Cifizzari)

Local bookstore Spelled Ink hosted its first Orange Literary and Arts Convention (OLACON) on Saturday, March 18. The shop partnered with several other Orange businesses and organizations, including Paint It Orange, the James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage and The Arts Center In Orange, to offer a variety of activities throughout the day.

The convention included book sales, art vendors, a weaving demonstration by textile artist Carrie Heitsch, exhibits, face painting, crafts and a 1980s-themed book fair called the Taming of the Brew.  In addition, an adult spelling bee at Iron Pipe Alewerks offered community members a chance to show off their intellectual prowess while raising money for the Orange County Public Library.

 Local book vendors and authors included Books Bound2Please, Fire & Ice Bookshop, Michele Friedman, Lee Alloway, Heather S. Cole, and husband-and-wife writer duo Caryn Moya Block and Michael Block. Check out photos from OLACON above and visit www.spelledink.com for a list of upcoming events, including monthly poetry nights and book clubs.