Author/Artist Talk: Mary Gentry and Mimi Williams

Writer Mary Gentry and artist Mimi Williams have been friends for years. It began when their daughters shared a kindergarten class. Their creative collaboration, however, started only last year, in 2014, with the publication of the book, “Quite Contrary.” Written by Gentry, the book is a collection of humorous essays about what she calls the “homely things of life.” Williams’s exquisitely cut and colored linoleum block prints adorn the cover and chapter headings.

The creative duo will talk about their work Wednesday, November 4 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Olympia Timberland Library. Williams will demonstrate her artistic technique. Gentry will read from “Quite Contrary” and “Too Far from the Tree.”

Gentry moved to Olympia in 1966 and taught English and drama at Tumwater High School.  From 1979 to 2007, she worked as an estate-planning attorney with the firm Bean and Gentry. Williams taught third grade at Olympia’s Pioneer Grade School.