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Writer John Villani calls Carrboro “one of North America's most vibrant art communities,” in his new book “The 100 Best Art Towns in America: A Guide to Galleries, Museums, Festivals, Lodging and Dining.”

Villani is communications director with the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a former art critic with The Arizona Republic newspaper.

This is the fourth installment of his book, published by Countryman Press and distributed by W.W. Norton. Villani traveled extensively around the U.S. The listings are in alphabetical order, not by any rank, and include such areas as Newport, RI; Woodstock, NY; Burlington, VT; North Adams/Great Barrington, MA; Teluride, CO; and Carmel, CA.

Villani called Carrboro “one of the best examples I've found. It oozes art from every alley and open space. I understand why artists want to live there.”