On Friday, January 21, four crazy women braved the chilly winds to investigate the mosaic wall at Smither Park. As you’ve probably heard, The Orange Show is giving us an opportunity to decorate a portion of the wall. We quickly found our spot and took measurements so that we can develop a prospectus for design submissions. I love this project for a few reasons: We have a chance to learn something new, we can work together in person, and we are putting creative selves out in the community!
In addition to the act of decorating the wall, I foresee opportunities to take mosaic classes, gather interesting materials, and attend some ceramic workshops. This project will take several months and will afford us many opportunities to gather together indoors and outdoors. If you haven’t seen the wall at Smither Park, grab a friend and check it out at 2441 Munger Street, Houston 77023. I don’t know about you, but I’m also going to check out the Mosaic Workshop for Beginners.
The next day, our own Gladys Mae Bullock wowed a group of women at Mendenhall Center with her STEP workshop. For many of us, it was the first time in two years that we’ve met in person. Gladys used her personally-inspired poetry to help us find our best selves and question some of our feelings. My only regret of the day is that I didn’t record the session for her.
It’s hard to explain, but around the midpoint of the day, the group engaged in a lively conversation about fish, chickens, and sheep that led to us see a problem from multiple sides. You had to be there. If I had it my way, Gladys would take this workshop to Congress so that she could lead them in a one-day workshop. At the end of the day, I feel that she might get our legislators to work across the aisle.
Even if you’ve only seen Gladys Mae on Zoom, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she’s a very dynamic speaker. By the end of the day, we were revived!
In addition to the great meetings and workshops that we’re offering this year, I’m eager to explore opportunities for us to share our art with the community. I encourage you to send your ideas to me or anyone on the board. As I’ve mentioned before, Patty Pagan approached us about putting on a small exhibition at Field Elementary School, and now the prospectus for that exhibition is on our website. How else can we infuse our communities with our creative spirit?
- Melody -
Writing the Perfect Bio for Authors & Artists with Dr. Kathryn Peterson
What does it mean to write an artist's bio? What are the different kinds of short bios and why do writers and visual artists need to have them at the ready? What about headshots? This generative workshop will focus on the necessity of having a few different bios on hand to represent you in a variety of situations, whether online, in print, or at a public performance. We'll explore the difference between author bios and social media bios and discuss the importance of branding, even if you don't have a piece ready to market.
There will be a working lunch from 12:00-1:00. Light refreshments will be served, but bring your lunch and laptop or pen and paper.
Kathryn Peterson, a.k.a. “Doctor Kat” holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature and an MFA in Fiction, from the University of Houston, where she received both the Barthelme and Glenn C. Cambor Fellowships. She also has an M.A. in playwriting from the University of Cincinnati, where she won the Elsie B. Westheimer Award for Playwriting and the Graduate Prize in Fiction. In 2015-2016, Kathryn had her own column about relationships and divorce, "Split Happens," in the Houston Chronicle’s online blog, Gray Matters. She currently teaches creative writing classes for Writers in the Schools and is a faculty tutor in English for Houston Community College. Visit her online at https://www.facebook.com/splithappenscolumn/.
Saturday, February 26, 2022
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Trini Mendenhall Community Center
1414 Wirt Rd.
Cost to attend: $10.00
For this workshop, you must register in advance. Click Register Now or visit the WiVLA calendar and select the event.
To register, you must log on to the membership website. If you have not set up your account, you can register at the following address: https://www.wivla.org/member-login#myaccount. Space is limited to 15 attendees, and you must be fully vaccinated to attend. Sign-up now!
As mentioned in The President's Message, WiVLA has secured a space on the wall at Smither Park! Our space is the second space to the right of the large, white mosaic that is located in the center of the wall. Our space was started by another group, but was abandoned. To make this space our own, we need to remove the current mosaic.
Deconstruction
We need a team of strong, able-bodied members to help with the demolition. Swinging a hammer at a wall of concrete and tile is a great way to channel anger and work out your frustrations by bashing away at concrete and tile!!
Design
Don’t let this project intimidate you! Partner with another member and collaborate on a design. The following diagram provides the dimensions of the space. Send a rendition of your design to Sally Worthington by March 31. The following diagram provides the shape and dimensions of the space.
Construction and mosaic know-how
The Orange Show holds mosaic workshops on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10am-1pm. The workshops cost $10. To register for a workshop, use the following link, and sign up for a class under Upcoming Workshops. https://www.orangeshow.org/visit-smither-park
This project has something for everyone:
Demolition to help you to work out your frustrations.
Ideas, ideas, and more ideas!
Collection (and perhaps creation) of materials
Mosaic construction
If you are interested in participating, consider visiting the space at Smither Park at 2441 Munger Street. For more information, contact Sally Worthington at worthington75@gmail.com
Calling all WiVLA members! If you are interested in participating in a virtual exhibition the 2022 season you may apply on the WiVLA website. This is an excellent opportunity to add to your CV and is a great marketing tool for your artistic endeavors. This is a free benefit to all WiVLA members. If you are interested in learning more please reach out to our Visual Co-Chair, Aliza Bejarano at visual@wivla.org. If you would like to reserve a spot for the 2022 season you may do so by clicking the button below.
Now that 2022 has arrived, it's time again for WiVLA's biennial collaborative exhibition. The theme for this years' Collaboration is Reflection. Because of the time involved in planning and executing the collaborative pieces, now is a good time to start finding a partner. Please take advantage of our member directory on the WiVLA website to find your co-collaborator.
Catherine Wile & Lisa Sheinbaum: Art for All Homes Tuesday, February 15
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Art breathes life and joy into a home. Art for All Homes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings the experience of enjoying and owning art to everyone, regardless of resources.
Founded by lovers of art and community, and in partnership with local non-profit organizations, Art for All Homes collects donated paintings, drawings, prints, and more to distribute to individuals and families to create beauty in their homes.
Lisa Sheinbaum has been an active member of both the arts and non-profit communities for many years. In 2017 she had a one-person show at Deutser Gallery, Houston, Texas. She enjoys working with watercolor pencil and acrylic paints. Lisa illustrated the children’s book, Purple Song, in conjunction with the Purple Songs Can Fly Foundation at Texas Children’s Hospital. She is the founder of Art for All, where she leads art classes for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's.
Catherine Wile, is a retired real estate attorney. She is Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Bunker Hill Village, Texas. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Healthcare and Nursing Education Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships to nursing students and grants to healthcare non-profits.
Meeting Schedule
6:00 - 6:20 pm Social Time and Board Announcements.
6:20 - 7:20 pm Presentation with Q & A.
7:20 - 7:30 pm Time permitting, Member announcements.
*Some meetings may run slightly off schedule due to the nature of the conversation.
Zoom Meeting Information
Due to Zoom's security suggestions, we will send out another email with the Zoom meeting information one day before the meeting. Be certain to look for it. If you need the meeting code, please send an email to newsletter@wivla.org to get the meeting code no later than 5:00 pm the day of the meeting.
If you need information on how to use Zoom before the meeting date, please use the links below:
WiVLA now has an automated membership program. Memberships run for twelve months based on the prior year’s month of payment or renewal. Thus, if a member pays in February, her renewal will be due the following February. Members will receive an email notice that their renewal is due in several days, and can renew right from that email. Or you can login to your membership account and use the renewal link on the 'About' tab.
We find that knowing your memberships are always for twelve months and having the renewal notice delivered directly to you has made renewing members much more satisfied. It also eases the Membership Chair and Treasurer board members’ onslaught of paperwork each January. Please stay up to date so you don’t miss any opportunities or fun!
Thank you.
Cori Austin, Treasurer
Donna Perkins
When I was still small enough to stand in the church pew, my parents gave me paper and pencil to keep me quiet during services. In junior high I was given oil paints. I’ve been drawing and painting ever since. After earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, I taught art in public schools for 20 years. In 1997 Sandra Sherrod and I started The Archway Readers. These readings continue virtually, with the help of Margo Stutts Toombs. I joined Archway Gallery in 2008 and I continue to be an active member to the gallery.
The first year of WIVLA’s creation, I saw a notice in the newspaper and came to the meeting. I’ve been a member ever since although my degree of involvement has varied.
I'm primarily an abstract painter with a passion for experimentation. Since 2020 I've been making small watercolor and ink drawings. I have over 100 pieces in my Covid Dreams Series.
I have strong feminist and political beliefs. Ideally my art would make bold statements which would make the world better. While I'm searching for ways to do this, I like to think there is something vaguely political about going one's own way in the pursuit of the secular pleasures of paint.
WIVLA members were treated to a presentation by Amanda Sisk of Atelier Sisk at the January meeting. With beautiful photos to illustrate her journey, Amanda shared her artistic and spiritual evolution. Her travels in Europe and the United States have influenced her work with a plethora of media: pencil, charcoal, clay, Bas-relief sculptures, marble, plaster, terracotta, mixed media, manikins, old books and garbage. Her art graces museums in London, Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Saint-Gardens NHS and murals in Houston homes. Amanda’s most current sculpture (of Julia Dorr) adorns the grounds of the Rutland Library in Vermont. The video of the process of sculpting marble from a plaster model was intriguing. She stated that her favorite project was the art she created with bottle tops found on the beach of South Padre Island for a piece of art she created for the Padre Island National Seashore.
Activities outside of WiVLA
Calling Authors with Non-Fiction Stories about Air Travel
Margo Stutts Toombs (Beat Heart) and Carolyn Dahl (The Weight of Illusions in collaboration with Margo) have video poems in the upcoming virtual REELpoetry Film Festival, February 24-28. In addition to videos, there will be topnotch workshops about video poems. Stay current on festival updates on social media or the Public Poetry website: http://www.publicpoetry.net/#SE.
Steamrolled VIII exhibit at the Printing Museum
Sally Worthington’s large Jurassic woodcut will be showing at the Steamrolled VIII exhibit at the Printing Museum,1324 West Clay, from January 13th to Saturday March 5th 2022.
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.
On Friday, January 21, four crazy women braved the chilly winds to investigate the mosaic wall at Smither Park. As you’ve probably heard, The Orange Show is giving us an opportunity to decorate a portion of the wall. We quickly found our spot and took measurements so that we can develop a prospectus for design submissions. I love this project for a few reasons: We have a chance to learn something new, we can work together in person, and we are putting creative selves out in the community!
Calling all WiVLA members! If you are interested in participating in a virtual exhibition the 2022 season you may apply on the WiVLA website. This is an excellent opportunity to add to your CV and is a great marketing tool for your artistic endeavors. This is a free benefit to all WiVLA members. If you are interested in learning more please reach out to our Visual Co-Chair, Aliza Bejarano at visual@wivla.org. If you would like to reserve a spot for the 2022 season you may do so by clicking the button below.
Now that 2022 has arrived, it's time again for WiVLA's biennial collaborative exhibition. The theme for this years' Collaboration is Reflection. Because of the time involved in planning and executing the collaborative pieces, now is a good time to start finding a partner. Please take advantage of our member directory on the WiVLA website to find your co-collaborator.
