THE ART OF THE PROTEST: Drilling for natural gas has been a hot topic in North Texas as energy companies attempt to tap into the Barnett Shale. Despite the big payouts for drilling rights to residents and jobs the companies have provided, not everyone is on board with the idea.

Fort Worth Citizens Against Neighborhood Drilling Ordinance (FWCaNDo) is a group of concerned citizens who oppose the drilling mostly for its environmental impact but also for the way it has changed life in the city. Since the group is pretty small, it’s had to be creative to get its message out. And one of the smarter ideas it has hit on is Buzzworms in the Backyard, an exhibition of art protesting the drilling.

The group is calling for entries for its second show, which will take place at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center Jan. 9-30. Artists may enter up to three works (at $10 each, or three for $25); pre-registration deadline is Dec. 29. The show will be juried by artists Linda and Ed Blackburn with $500 in prizes handed out at a Jan. 9 reception.

Jennifer Dawson’s A Long Slow Goodbye took the top prize last year.

GRANTA TAPS FREEMAN: Literary magazine Granta has hired John Freeman as its American editor. Freeman is a former president of the National Book Critics Circle. If his name sounds familiar, you’ve probably read his stories and book reviews that have appeared in The Dallas Morning News.