So here we are, entering the last month of the year. I’m writing my last President’s Message to you, and it’s rather bittersweet. These messages have been an outpouring of what was floating at the top of my mind each month, and I’ve been so happy when I’ve gotten personal responses. Thank you for those.
WiVLA has had quite the year. I’m not going to single out any particular board members (only because I’m afraid I’d forget to mention particular contributions), but know that we have had a good board this year. We also have a strong board to lead WiVLA into 2024, some current board members, and some new ones.
We had to pivot quickly when the location of our juried art show, EXPANSION, was made unusable (due to the Winter St Studios fire of Dec’22). Board members worked their behinds off securing The Post for us. This was also the first year we opened up our juried show to non-members. We gained new members from that, and the publicity from the show has been a great side benefit.
This was also the first year of participating with Houston Writer’s Guild in a literary competition, JOURNEY INTO ART, which gave writers the chance to work with an editor to refine their work and be part of a published anthology. This participation also gave us much-needed publicity.
We’ve had a great variety of guest speakers at our meetings, workshops, and in-person outings. I expect those to continue (yes, I’m hinting at some great ideas being bounced around at the board meetings).
Now for a personal note. As many of you know, I’m moving to Hot Springs, AR soon, hopefully by Jan/Feb. I plan to stay involved in WiVLA as secretary on the board and participating in visual and literary opportunities. It has been an honor to serve as President. I’m breaking my rule that I established at the beginning of my message. I want to acknowledge Melody Locke AND the board for stepping up and handling things when I couldn’t this year. What was on my plate was no more than many of us have dealt with (fire, dysfunctional family issues, a friend’s cancer, closing a business, moving out-of-state), but I handled it by retreating into myself. Melody took over things when I couldn’t think straight and drug me out of my self-imposed exile when needed.
I am grateful for WiVLA, for good friends, for making it through the year, for you.
Walk in love
- Gretchen -
The Votes have been Tallied!
The WiVLA membership overwhelmingly endorsed the slate of officers presented before and during the November meeting. For 2024, we are pleased to announce the following offices and the women leading them.
President: Brooke Summers-Perry
Vice President: Susan Salter
Secretary: Gretchen McDaniel
Treasurer: Mildred Mills
Program Chair: Jean King
Publicity Chair: Melody Locke
Visual Arts Co-chair: Shirley Beyer
Visual Arts Co-chair: Marie Casamayor-Harvey
Literary Arts-Co-chair: Rebecca Chirak
Literary Arts-Co-chair: Ellen Seaton
Newsletter Editor: Margo Stutts Toombs
Historian: Beatrice Stewart
At-Large Director: Kathi Crawford
Congratulations!
WiVLA Circle of Wine/Whine and Cheese Party
Sunday, January 14, 2024
2:00 PM
Winter Street Studios
2101 Winter St.Houston TX 77007, US
Let's meet up at Marie Casamayor-Harvey's art studio to enjoy wine and cheese. We will chat about ourselves: our art and our goals. Then we will share ideas about the direction we would like to see WiVLA head in 2024. Or we will just enjoy seeing our WiVLA friends. This is a Pre-Circle of 5event.
We can't have wine and snacks without the goodies. Sign up below to bring something.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Zoom
World renowned artist, Sarah Sudoff, will lead a workshop in writing grants to get the money you need for your projects. She'll also share her experiences doing residencies in visual art.
Check back for details on the workshop and how to register.
A rack card is an easily recognizable vertical marketing card that you typically find in visitor centers, hotels, and museums. With the depleting inventory of our cards and the possibility of a larger-than-normal attendance at our exhibition reception, the board decided to get a more modern design that might appeal to a more diverse audience. A ready supply of cards is available in Melody's studio at Silver Street Studios in studio 320. Your GPS can more easily find her building if you use 2101 Winter Street as the address. A large mural adorns the north side of the Silver Street building. You can find her studio by entering the pink outside door. If you would like to pick up some rack cards, contact Melody at 713-851-0134.
You most likely saw a large wall sticker with the same design if you attended the reception.
Bring a snack to share. Maybe a bottle of wine or other beverage. Let's celebrate the end of another stellar year for WiVLA members at Silver Street Studios.
Enter the building through the pink door on the east end of the building.
Susan is a multi-disciplinary artist, embracing visual and literary arts. She is a playwright and enjoys reading and writing poetry. She studied art and design at Glassell School of Art, and holds an MFA in Theatre with the emphasis on directing, from University of Houston. Susan's primary visual medium is Encaustic painting, which includes collage, sculpture, and assemblage. Her art arises from a deep inner work and is influenced by the natural and metaphysical sciences. Much of her work stems from a daily contemplative practice which includes meditation, poetry, yoga and involvement in Gurdjieff’s Work. Many Susan’s ago, she was a chef and still enjoys cooking every day. Susan currently resides in the Houston area with her husband, Jim, and works out of her beautiful, large home studio. She has one Grandchild, Sterling (8), who is the light of her life. Susan is the newly elected Vice President for WiVLA is looking forward to getting more involved in this amazing group of women artists.
Susan was recently awarded one of two Judge’s choice (Factree Left, Factree Right) in the Ephemera exhibit hosted by Mulraney Arts in Mulraney, Ireland. Her encaustic painting, “Bye Polar” was part of the 47 piece Encaustic Arts Institute exhibit, “Global Warming is Real” in Santa Fe, NM. Her work, “Collage Quilt” was also juried into the recent WiVLA exhibit, Expansion held at the Post in downtown Houston.
Susan will begin teaching collage and encaustic classes in January. Classes will be held at the Fort Bend Art League 3rd St. Annex. Please contact Susan for prices and details for the classes.
November Member Meeting: Doors & Haunted Holiday Reading at Brazos Bookstore
November was full of chances for members with Literary talents to write and share. We enjoyed personal essays, poetry, memoir, and other forms of word magic.
WiVLA held the annual Literary Meeting on Tuesday, November 14th, via Zoom. The topic of the evening was Doors. We had a full slate of members who read poems and stories about transitions and transformations. Some memoirs looked through the doors of childhood memories. We heard stories about love, protection, and spiritual encounters. Many thanks to all the poets and writers who made this evening memorable.
This year, in addition to the annual Literary meeting, we enjoyed the third annual Haunted Holidays reading on Saturday, November 18th. This event was held in collaboration with the Houston Writers Guild and took place at the Brazos Bookstore. Writers were encouraged to dress in haunting costumes and were joined by a few skeletons who were decked out in their favorite holiday attire. Thanks to everyone who participated and the Houston Writers Guild for our collaboration. A special thanks goes to Brazos Bookstore for staying open late!
And, of course, a special thanks and recognition goes to Melody Locke for recording the events so we can continue to watch them and share them with others.
If you missed the Doors reading, you can watch the recording by clicking here.
If you missed the Haunted Holidays reading, click here.
Reflecting on the 2022 Collaboration!
On December 3rd of 2022, the WiVLA members along with their families and friends, gathered at the Performing Arts Center at Lee College in Baytown. The opening reception of our marquee event was a huge success, and our president was proud to be among such talented women.
If you were unable to attend the event, or you are looking forward to watching it again, or sharing it with your family and friends, we have some good news for you. The edited video of the event has been uploaded to our YouTube channel, allowing new members to experience the excitement and learn how our Collaborations come together.
Journal Making with Cori Austin
Here is what people are saying about the journal-making workshop with Cori Austin:
The journal workshop was so much fun! Cori had beautiful papers prepared for us and every step through the process was well organized. Great way to spend a Saturday morning....making something new with wonderful creative women!
Activities outside of WiVLA
Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots
Mildred J. Mills is pleased to announce the release of her book, “Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots,” on December 12, 2023. The book will be available in paperback and electronically on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.indieBound.org. Hard cover and audiobooks will be released shortly after the release date.
Shirley Beyer and Brenda Bowman, acrylic artists, and Susan Salter, encaustic artist, are pleased to announce their upcoming show entitled 3 x 3 by THREE. The show will feature 36" x 36" works plus smaller pieces. The show will be on view at the Houston Club downtown from October 2 through the end of the calendar year.
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.
Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting happenings - fieldtrips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities. 
A rack card is an easily recognizable vertical marketing card that you typically find in visitor centers, hotels, and museums. With the depleting inventory of our cards and the possibility of a larger-than-normal attendance at our exhibition reception, the board decided to get a more modern design that might appeal to a more diverse audience. A ready supply of cards is available in Melody's studio at Silver Street Studios in studio 320. Your GPS can more easily find her building if you use 2101 Winter Street as the address. A large mural adorns the north side of the Silver Street building. You can find her studio by entering the pink outside door. If you would like to pick up some rack cards, contact Melody at 713-851-0134.
Susan is a multi-disciplinary artist, embracing visual and literary arts. She is a playwright and enjoys reading and writing poetry. She studied art and design at Glassell School of Art, and holds an MFA in Theatre with the emphasis on directing, from University of Houston. Susan's primary visual medium is Encaustic painting, which includes collage, sculpture, and assemblage. Her art arises from a deep inner work and is influenced by the natural and metaphysical sciences. Much of her work stems from a daily contemplative practice which includes meditation, poetry, yoga and involvement in Gurdjieff’s Work. Many Susan’s ago, she was a chef and still enjoys cooking every day. Susan currently resides in the Houston area with her husband, Jim, and works out of her beautiful, large home studio. She has one Grandchild, Sterling (8), who is the light of her life. Susan is the newly elected Vice President for WiVLA is looking forward to getting more involved in this amazing group of women artists.
Mildred J. Mills is pleased to announce the release of her book, “Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots,” on December 12, 2023. The book will be available in paperback and electronically on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and 
