The region has never been scarce in creativity; it just has not been that visible.  The Frostburg State University Lyric Center for Creative Writing, located at 22 East Main Street in Frostburg, hopes to change that.  Center director Gerry LaFemina wants the newly renovated building to be a well-known hotspot for local, creative minds.

“I used to be in the hardcore [music] scene.  I felt like I was back in Missoula, Montana putting on hardcore shows in front of forty diehard, dedicated fans.  Only now, I’m applying that to literature,” Center director Gerry LaFemina said.  His irreverent passion for creative writing runs deep as he hopes to inspire local writers to strive to be the next famous author.  The center’s goal was to be open in October, but the needed furniture did not arrive.  In fact, it still has not arrived, delaying the grand opening until January.

When it does become fully operational in January, it will be open to the public almost every day for students and locals to have a space away from everyday problems like laundry or cleaning.  The center will provide tips on publishing and present events such as the annual Western Maryland Publishing Fair, formerly hosted in the Allegany County Public Library on Washington Street in Cumberland.  Opportunities this region needed to become visible in the literary community will be easily accessible for anyone.

Avid readers, as well as writers, will enjoy the other programming the center has cooked up.  Just like the writers, time can be spent in the center to relax and read books away from distractions.  Book clubs for genres such as science fiction, poetry, and films based on books will meet every week.

For a small fee, workshops on different genres to further hone the skills of the attendees.  These will range from horror or science fiction.  Discussions with writers, painters, dancers, and other artistic forms will be held. Heavy metal musicians and poets, together on the same stage, will discuss how their creative minds create inventive, informing, and inquisitive art.  For veterans, there will be a writing course taught by veteran, and FSU student, Clint Garner, discussing how to write about war experiences.

A major focus of LaFemina’s is community involvement.  The center is open to suggestions from the community.  "I'm willing to do any book club the community wants," LaFemina stated.  But it is not limited to book clubs. Any event or genre workshop the community would be interested in, LaFemina will find a way to bring in guests.  Awareness is the key for the center’s success.  Starting off small with some readings by visiting authors and a few workshops, the center hopes to become an integral ingredient of Frostburg’s revitalized Main Street, and more importantly, the local region.

To catch up with the center’s events, follow the center on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-MD/Frostburg-State-University-Lyric-Center-for-Creative-Writing/160150644745?ref=sgm or through e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .