ROSEMARY BEACH — The rain came, finally, on Friday evening. Refreshing and cool after the long dry spell. And walking through the rain and the flickering electric sunset, about 40 people gathered in the Town Hall at Rosemary Beach. Lightning clattered outside as they settled into wooden beach chairs to hear the weavers unwind their tales.

John Dufresne read from his novel “Love Warps the Mind a Little,” Lynne Barrett read from a short memoir piece (part of a series she’s working on based around memories that involve articles of clothing), and Michael Lister read from his award-winning novel “Double Exposure.”

The free event was the culminating moment for the Rosemary Beach Writers Conference, which had started on Wednesday. (Another conference is planned for September.)

John had the audience alternate laughing at his off-beat narrator’s stream of consciousness joking, or gasping at the poetic turns that took you completely by surprise. Ms. Barrett’s story of a date-that-wasn’t-really-a-date and that almost went violently wrong kept the listeners spellbound on the edges of their seats. And Michael’s colorful descriptions wrapped in terse prose placed any parent in the shoes of his protagonist.

It was also nice to meet (and put a face with the name) Malayne DeMars, with whom I had spoken on the phone and corresponded via email about the conference.

I stopped in for directions to the Town Hall at The Hidden Lantern, the new bookstore at Rosemary Beach that opened last week. Check out that site for a look at the inviting space.

ROSEMARY BEACH — Every picture tells a story, but some also evoke the power of music.

Last week, seven pieces of student artwork from the “Music in Pictures” project already were hanging at The Hidden Lantern Gallery, and curator Lauren Carvalho was preparing to hang another 43 more. She said she was honored to be chosen as a judge for such a project.

“The students in this area are very gifted artists. Making selections was a challenging process,” she said. “It is amazing how music inspires artists of all ages.”

“Music in Pictures” is an educational art project and juried competition presented by the Rosemary Beach Foundation. Open to all students in kindergarten through grade 12 in Walton County — both public and private — the program’s goals are to provide an opportunity for listening to and visually interpreting classical music; encourage a lifelong appreciation of symphonic music by young people; and enhance learning in the classroom.

The program launched in September 2011, when teachers received CDs of symphonic music selected by members of the Florida State University music faculty and Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Students first learned about the composer, listened to the music and then created a picture of their interpretation of the musical selection while the music was played.

More than 1,000 students from 11 Walton County schools listened to and visually interpreted works by 20th century American composer Aaron Copland, said Malayne DeMars, executive director for the Rosemary Beach Foundation. Called the “dean of American music,” Copland incorporated jazz and folk into his compositions, helping to liberate classical American music from European influences.

The art was submitted to the Foundation in late November, and a panel of judges selected finalists. Winners were announced in January, with their art displayed in various Rosemary Beach venues through February. Along with the Hidden Lantern, art is now on exhibit at Amavida Coffee Co. and Wells Fargo Redfish Village.

Five finalists will be awarded a cash prize at the “Classical Connections” (a partnership with Sinfonia Gulf Coast) at the Feb. 17 and 18 performances by Amernet String Quartet in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. For more information about the program, contact DeMars at (850) 231-7382 or malayne.demars@gmail.com.

Carvalho emphasized the importance of art classes to a young student’s development.

“My grade school art classes instilled in me the confidence and love for art that later led me into an art career,” she said. “It is a pleasure to have these pieces hanging in The Hidden Lantern Gallery. They are playful, intricate and inspiring.”

Pet owners flocked to Rosemary Beach’s St. Augustine Green recently for a celebration of the furry critters we love as if they are our own kin.

Rosemary Beach Unleashed was an afternoon party for canines and their masters as six murals of 6-by-8 feet were unveiled with depictions of many of the dogs present.

Those with pets on one of the murals were eager to make their way to find their particular likeness, and then have their photos taken in front of the painting.

Kathy Lamb and Gallo proudly posed with the mural showing Gallo.

However, not all depicted pets are still living, as was the case with Kerrie Beth Dalal and her dog, Maggielee.

“There were a lot of poodles,” said Malayne DeMars, executive director of the Rosemary Beach Foundation.

This mural project is the brainchild of DeMars. It incorporates art in public space, community and pets, and it aims to bring attention to the need for animal adoption.

Ninety-two pet owners each made a $100 donation to have their pets’ likenesses immortalized on one of the six murals, which were painted by eight area artists.

More than 250 two-legged and four-legged guests attended the Dec. 4 festival.

The resulting $9,000 will be divided equally between the Rosemary Beach Foundation, which sponsored the project, and Alaqua Animal Refuge, which is a primary animal rescue operation in Walton County.

Alaqua will use the money to expand its bark park in South Walton, now known as Alaqua Unleashed. On Feb. 6, the murals will be moved to a new permanent home at the bark park, located on 18 acres of county-owned land on J.D. Miller Road. The murals will then become part of the state’s Art in Public Places project.

Interesting trivia surrounding the Rosemary Unleashed murals: In addition to the many dogs depicted, there are also a handful of cats. Also, only one pet name was duplicated — “Winnie.”

Most of the pets belong to Rosemary Beach homeowners, but there are others from elsewhere in the community. Many were adopted from Alaqua.

The featured artists involved in the project were Lauren Carvalho, Paul DeDenus, Jane Dunworth, Emily Fossum, Kristina Perry, Amanda Rhodes, Allison Wickey and Eileen West. Each donated their time.

Heritage Builders constructed the murals, which will remain on display in St. Augustine Park until Feb. 6.

“We are delighted that this year’s art will find a permanent home at Alaqua Unleashed and we hope to make this an annual event,” said DeMars.