Auburn Valley Creative Arts will see its lights shine a little brighter when Kent poet Charron M. Mollette releases her first book of poetry this month.

The book, “Pen and Paper”, is a compilation of Mollette’s work where she writes about her personal experiences. It will be available for purchase and a book signing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the gallery, 226 E Main St., Auburn.

The public is invited to meet the artist and to take in the art showing at the gallery.

Music influenced Mollette.

“I fell in love with hip hop music as a teenager in the early 1980s, which still is the catalyst for my style,” she said. “My own personal experiences, family, friends and people I’ve met are among the many muses that spark my creativity.

“When I write people smile,” Mollette added. “Their smiles would make the sun ashamed to come up and that’s what gives me joy.”

Mollette’s previous work included in the book, “Under the Harvest Moon”, where she received the Editors Choice Award from the National Library of Poetry.

Mollette is a big fan of Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost and honors her English teacher, Sister Mary Annette Dworshak at Holy Names Academy in Seattle, “Who encouraged me to “keep writing” and to always be my authentic self.”

Auburn Valley Creative Arts (AVCA) began in 2010 and opened its first gallery in 2012. The nonprofit organization provides members with opportunities to show and sell art. AVCA helps coordinate the Auburn Art Walk and Wine Tasting in downtown Auburn. This year’s Auburn Art Walk and Wine Tastings are May 12 and Sept. 8, and each will draw nearly 1,000 participants.

AVCA meets monthly seven times per year, hosts workshops and sponsors artists in workshops through scholarships. Visit the organization’s website and Facebook page for more event information.