RUMFORD – Brenda James-Espinoza and her husband, Gil, moved to Rumford from San Diego a couple of weeks ago. On Wednesday she was one of dozens of artists and supporters of the arts who turned out for the unveiling of a new, 36-page “Guide to Arts and Culture in the River Valley.”

“I hope to become a part of the resurgence of the town,” she said.

James-Espinoza is a writer and real estate agent who plans to study creative writing at the University of Maine at Farmington in January.

She wasn’t alone in her belief that the River Valley is about to change, in part because of the resurgence of the arts.

“I can see the image of Rumford changing, the atmosphere,” said Keith Ludden, a traditional arts associate with the Maine Arts Commission. He helped kick off the move to foster arts and culture in the River Valley at a local community forum about two years ago.

State Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, said the guide is another example of positive events happening in the River Valley.

“With the new River Valley Technology Center and the things happening at Black Mountain, these are all important to the quality of life here. It’s all part of a healthy and creative community,” he said.

Becky Welsh, director of the River Valley Arts Initiative, researched, compiled and wrote the booklet, which includes information on artists, artisans, performance artists, architectural gems, and historic and other cultural resources.

“This is a great start and I’m excited. I hope the River Valley is excited about it. It’s the most fun job I’ve ever had,” she said.

The next step is to find grant money to put the guide online so that it can be easily kept up to date.

Much of the funding for the 18-month project came from the Maine Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ludden said he will help the the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition – the umbrella organization for the RVAI- to find funding to continue the project.

The free guides may be found in local libraries, town offices, businesses and the RVHCC office on River Street, as well as at various information sites around the state.