We’ve partnered with Houston Writers Guild to offer a literary competition to both members and nonmembers. Submitting authors will be given an opportunity to work with an editor in a revision consultation and a chance to be published in an anthology. Prizes will also be awarded (first/second/third). Deadline for submissions has been extended to April 14th. See further details on our website under “Events.”
I’m eager to hear the ECO Grant presentations during our April member meeting and to see who the lucky winners for this year will be! I was awarded the $1000 a couple of years ago, and it led to an opportunity I would have never foreseen without it. I had made plans for it, which had to be canceled (because…pandemic). I ended up modifying my plans, which led to the beginning of a writing project that I’m currently collaborating on with my bff, a fabulous writer.
Our visual art exhibition is being planned right now. The theme (EXPANSION), juror, and location have been secured. The prospectus will be on the website shortly.
Don’t skip Poetry By The Bay, April 22nd! You can sign up to read at this event and/or RSVP to give us a good idea of how many to expect. I’m looking forward to this at the La Porte Library. Again, see further details on our website in the Calendar.
Walk in love.
- Gretchen -
Poetry by the Bay
Saturday, April 22, 2023
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the LaPorte Library
Get Ready to Celebrate Six Years of Poetry by the Bay
In honor of Poetry Month, our 6th annual Poetry by the Bay event will occur at the LaPorte Library on April 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Now is the time to find your best poem or poems, finish that work in progress, or get started with your latest creation so that you will be ready to celebrate Poetry Month with WiVLA.
Our relationship with the LaPorte Library started in 2018 when we held our first poetry readings there on June 9, 2018. Although we were not able to secure an April date with the library, they gladly accommodated us in June. In past years, members attending the poetry readings have stayed in the area for lunch and some of us have ventured to Sylvan Beach, which is less than a mile from the library. Maybe this year, someone might be inspired to recite some poetry by the bay.
See our calendar for the library location and a link to sign up to read.
WiVLA is proud to announce the upcoming collaboration with the Houston Writers Guild. The two organizations will be teaming up to launch a short story writing contest for authors. The contest will include feedback from judges, prize money and publication. There will also be a launch party for this anthology October 6th, 7:00 p.m. at the 2023 Author Palooza Extravaganza hosted by the Houston Writers Guild.
The theme for these short stories will be Journey into Art and the window of submission will run through February 7th – April 14th. The entry fee for members of either WiVLA or Houston Writers Guild is $20.00 and the entry fee for non-members will be $35.00.
With the theme of Journey into Art, the main theme of your story does not have to be art, but some element of art must be included in each story. We are looking for works that run from 3000 to 7000 words.
For all of the details of this contest, please click on the button below to see the full prospectus.
WiVLA’s exhibit EXPANSIONwill take place from September 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023 and will be held at Winter Street Studios. Our juror is Elena Poirot from Lee College in Baytown. The exhibit will be open to WiVLA members as well as women artists working in the Greater Houston Area. More news coming soon!
Studio Visit with Michelle O'Michael
Saturday, May 27 2023, 10:00am - 12:00pm
You have admired the spectacular metal sculptures by Michelle O'Michael all over Texas. Now, let's see where the magic happens in her studio. According to Michelle, her studio can accommodate 40-50+ visitors. "The number of people is not carved in stone. We can accommodate more. She just needs to know how many as there are several big rooms. The studio is 100' long. People should dress comfortably, no AC, and be prepared for potential industrial dirt on their clothes.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
via Zoom
At the WiVLA Member Meeting, the ECO winners from 2022, Mary Jean Carter - visual artist and Ellen Seaton - literary artist, will share the projects they were able to start or finish using their ECO grant. Join the meeting, you might get some creative ideas of your own, even if you don't get a grant.
Watch your Inbox for an email with the Zoom meeting code.
Lorena Fernandez
Lorena Fernandez, Ph.D. is an artist, poet, and educator with a passion for the expressive arts. Born and raised in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, Lorena has been influenced by the natural beauty and cultural richness of her homeland. She moved to the United States at the age of 18, where she embarked on a journey of artistic exploration and academic achievement.
Lorena's artworks have been collected internationally, and she draws inspiration from the works of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Her artistic style is characterized by bold colors, intricate patterns, and a deep emotional resonance that reflects her own life experiences.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Lorena is an accomplished educator and therapist. She is an Associate Faculty professor teaching Person-Centered Expressive Arts and a Member of the Board at the International Expressive Art Therapy Association (IEATA). She is a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant & Educator (REACE), and holds a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts Therapy and Coaching from the European Graduate School (EGS) in Switzerland.
Lorena's academic journey also includes a Master of Art in the Humanities from California State University, where she wrote a thesis on the sociological content of the works of Frida Kahlo. Her academic and professional background has allowed her to create a unique approach to art therapy, combining the expressive arts with traditional therapeutic techniques to help individuals heal and express themselves through their creativity.
Currently, Lorena is based in Houston, Texas, USA, continuing to create art and with plans to continue teaching the power of expressive arts to students and clients alike.
Disintegration/Reintegration Series. About the Dismembering and Remembering that happens due to life disruptions. In Lorena's case the disruptions have been about moving from country to country, often losing the privilege of being fluent in the local language.
WiVLA was treated to a high energy, entertaining, and informative Member Meeting on March 21st – Thrift Revival. Co-creators and business partners, Perry Jo McCollum and Cindy Jennings, recounted the story of their friendship and love of art from Boy Scout moms with careers outside of art, to art makers and entrepreneurs. Their comic chemistry and easy give-and-take with the audience was delightful.
These were some of their tips for success:
Give yourself permission to evolve. The first idea might not be the best one.
Make art that expresses who you are not what you think will sell.
Learn from trial and error, e.g., don’t take fabric to a Farmers’ Market.
Have fun with people who walk past your booth or table at markets or festivals.
Now that Perry and Cindy are members, some of us might want to join them on one of their thrifting expeditions.
If you missed the zoom meeting, you can watch the recording on the WiVLA YouTube Channel.
Writing Artist Statements with Kathryn Peterson
On March 4, Kathryn Peterson, who taught us how to write Bios last year, returned to lead a workshop on Writing Artist Statements at the Tracy Gee Community Center. This workshop gave the participants numerous opportunities to write in playful ways and share with the group. Kathryn provided helpful feedback and suggestions on each written piece. Starting with writing an “overly honest/funny” artist statement, WiVLA members found that material written in this way can provide fodder for the more professional statements.
Sprinkled throughout the morning were tips on the basic of artist statement writing:
Who?
Who is this for? Who is the artist?
What?
What is the subject? Which artwork?
When?
Is this time sensitive or a timeless statement?
When?
Are there geographical components at play?
Why?
What is your purpose for creating the work?
Contact Margo if you would be interested in a repeat of this workshop on ZOOM.
Literary and visual artists will have the opportunity to –
Explore the Jung Center Library and Bookstore
Enjoy art at the Jung Center show - Visions: A Celebration of the Creativity of The Jung Center Community. Once a year, The Jung Center showcases the artwork of its students, members, instructors, volunteers, and staff. The artists work in a variety of media to explore their own inner journeys and find meaning in everyday life.
Spend time writing about a piece(s) of art in a lovely atmosphere.
Our host is Elissa Davis (WiVLA Monthly Meeting presenter for May). She was taught to sew by her mother, which kicked off a love of making and creating. She has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston, but landed in the bookstore of The Jung Center over 20 years ago and found a home. She is married to a writer, has two cats, and smiles very easily.
Who wants to be a video producer for WiVLA?
Houston Media Source offers the use of video and filming equipment as well as green screened studios and editing suites for free. All that is required is some orientation and training. WiVLA would like to have a team of 3 members to produce videos for WiVLA. If this sounds exciting to you, contact Margo Stutts Toombs.
Authors in Grocery Stores is a program that pairs authors wanting to have book signings with grocery stores that will allow them to set up a table with their book. Kroger is the business that participates in the program in Houston. For more information or to sign-up, go to http://www.authorsingrocerystores.com The referral person for the form is Dru Richman.
We'd love to celebrate your good news. If you are interested in sharing, please send your items to newsletter@wivla.org. The deadline for inclusion in the next month's newsletter is the 20th. Thank you.
We’ve partnered with Houston Writers Guild to offer a literary competition to both members and nonmembers. Submitting authors will be given an opportunity to work with an editor in a revision consultation and a chance to be published in an anthology. Prizes will also be awarded (first/second/third). Deadline for submissions has been extended to April 14th. See further details on our website under “Events.”
Houston Media Source offers the use of video and filming equipment as well as green screened studios and editing suites for free. All that is required is some orientation and training. WiVLA would like to have a team of 3 members to produce videos for WiVLA. If this sounds exciting to you, contact 
