City of Artists: Baltimore, is a loosely woven mosaic of contemporary art and literature. Contributors were asked to provide their perspective on living and making art in Baltimore, one of the country's oldest and most iconic cities. The list of participating artists and writers is significant and diverse. Writers include best-selling authors, journalists, poets, curators, and art historians like Laura Lippman, D. Watkins, Lori Johnson, Doreen Bolger, and Madison Smartt Bell. Visual artists include some of the country's most notable like John Waters, Oletha DeVane, Derrick Adams, Joyce J. Scott, and Jerrell Gibbs. We were able to draw from a deep reservoir of talent, across age, race, cultural, and class lines, to present a multifaceted vision that reflects the rich diversity of Baltimore itself. The effect is a beautiful and compelling book, filled with insight and personal reflection.