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On Tuesday, May 19th, WiVLA did something we’ve never done in all our 25 years of serving our members-- We held a WiVLA Gathering on Zoom!
This stay-home-stay-healthy response to CoVid-19 has inspired us to take our monthly meeting online to provide an opportunity for our members to see and speak with each other and to share their news and their quarantine projects with the group.
Using MailChimp, we sent each of you a notice, followed before the Zoom meeting date with the clickable link and meeting name and password. We also had included links to set up your own free Zoom account to participate.
I’m pleased to report I counted a total of 27 members Zooming in to meet us! Some logged on late, some had to leave the Zoom room early, but all were ready to reconnect in a virtual version of our WiVLA Gathering time.
In place of our in-person meeting gathering at the start of each physical meeting, many members got into the festive spirit by raising their own wineglass or munching their own snacks during this reunion.
So please make plans to join us on Tuesday, June 16th as we host another WiVLA Gathering on Zoom for our faithful members. Don’t let this prolonged separation get you down. Join us for a smile, a laugh, and a reassuring reminder of the inspiring creativity we WiVLA women share.
See and hear you then!
-Lee-
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Art on Fire will be hosting WiVLA's June 16th member meeting on Zoom. The virtual meeting room will open at 6:00 pm. To join our meeting you will need to have the link provided below:
Join Zoom Meeting
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now
Meeting ID: 837 1775 0169
Password: 834127
If you would like to learn more about using Zoom check out these resources provided below:
If you need to download Zoom, it's free: https://zoom.us/download
Here is the link to a video on how to join a meeting:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting
Tom's Guide: How to Join a Zoom Meeting
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/how-to-join-a-zoom-meeting
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Alleviating Hunger:
Kids Meals Inc.
The mission of this Houston based non-profit is "to feed children under age 6 who don’t have access to school-based free meal programs". In 2019 they provided over 1 million meals to children in need. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website, https://kidsmealsinc.org/.
Target Hunger
This United Way agency was formed in 1989 to help fight hunger in Houston's inner-city communities. Today they serve Houston and its surrounding area through six distribution centers, delivery food services to seniors, mobile food distributions, and a community garden program. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website, https://www.targethunger.org/who-we-are/mission.
Second Servings
Formed in 2015 this organization's mission is to alleviate hunger by rescuing surplus food. They are the only prepared and perishable food rescue organization here in Houston. Through their efforts, they reach approximately 170,000 people annually. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website, https://secondservingshouston.org/.
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Featured women: Barbara Jordan (Top, Left), Shirley Chisholm (Center, Left), Angela Davis (Bottom, Left). Rita Dove (Top, Center), Toni Morrison (Bottom, Left), Kara Walker (Top, Right), & Ari Brielle (Bottom, Right).
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Social Justice Organizations:
Houston Justice
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this group has created a hotline which is providing much-needed food assistance to our residents who lack access to transportation and the internet. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website,
Founded in 1989 the Center's objective is to heal racism through education and empowerment. They strive to create an environment where one can explore, recognize, examine, and understand racism so they may begin to heal. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website,
Houston Peace and Justice Center
The mission of HPJC is to serve as an action center for peace and justice efforts. They provide peace education, activism training, and collaborative resources for individuals, families, and organizations in an effort to build a just, non-violent community. If you would like to learn more here is a link to their website, https://www.hpjc.org/
To locate other non-profits in our area please check out the list, Donor Houston, provided by The Greater Houston Community Foundation,
https://donorhouston.guidestar.org/find/view-all-nonprofits.aspx.
Charity Navigator can be used to research and vet organizations,
https://www.charitynavigator.org/.
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Enjoy Watercolor Classes from the Safety of Your Own Home
WIVLA member A. M. (Marie) Schaer is offering internet based watercolor classes. The classes are a mix of downloadable video, written instruction, and individual coaching via email and are suitable for advanced beginners. More information located at https://www.artgeekgal.com/classes.html.
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Jo Zider has a solo exhibition that will open on Wednesday, June 3. The work is her recently-completed series of relief paintings: EARTH AT THE EDGE. The show runs through August 21, 2020, at the Art Gallery of The University of Houston Clear Lake campus, Bayou Building. The reception is June 4, 2020, from 5:00-7:00 pm. An artist talk will be given during the reception and at a later date that is TBA. To view her recent work virtually visit her website at http://jozider.com/.
Celeste Budwit-Hunter will be leading a virtual mediation workshop through Shambhala, Houston. Classes will be held for four Saturdays in June, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (June 6, 13, 20, 27). There is a cost to attend. For more information, please visit the program site by clicking here.
Melody Locke will have a collection of her lumen prints exhibited in a solo show at A Smith Gallery in Johnson City, Texas, from June 26 through July 20. An Artist’s Reception via Facebook Live will be held on June 27 from 4 to 8 pm.
https://asmithgallery.com/upcoming-exhibitions/
Melody Locke has also informed the newsletter that she will be moving her studio from The Silos of Sawyer Yards to Silver Street Studios, Studio 310, located at 2000 Edwards Street. Don your favorite face covering and visit her new studio on June 13. To keep up to date with Melody you may visit her website or follow her on social media.
Artist's website https://melodylocke.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MelodyLockeArt
Instagram locke_melody
Amanda Wenger (Correction from May) shared three announcements with us for this month's newsletter. First, she has received the Yuyi Morales Diversity Scholarship, which is awarded through the Children's Book Academy's workshop, "The Craft & Business of Writing Children's Picture Books." Secondly, she was selected to perform a standup comedy set at The Best of the Fringe, held at Midtown Arts and Theater Center (MATCH) on June 13. Lastly, she received a scholarship to attend the Rainbow Weekend Writing Workshop at The Writing Barn in Austin in November.
Deborah Blumberg brings us the stories of people innovating during the coronavirus. Stephanie Skolik, a Dyslexic Ophthmalogoist, creates art pieces to help the sensory impaired, The Dyslexic Ophthalmologist Who Paints Alien Worlds. In another article, she tells the story of an art teacher, her students, and their art car, The Parade Goes On: An Art Car Parade of One. The Restaurant industry has undergone drastic changes to survive, learn how they have developed new strategies to stay relevant, Taste Test: The restaurant business is notoriously tough... Lastly, she takes us through the process of Plasma therapy which is currently being implemented and researched in the fight to save those suffering from the virus, What to Expect When You Donate Plasma. Deborah sent in a piece she recently made as well.
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We'd love to take this time to connect. If you are interested, please send your items to newsletter@wivla.org. There is no deadline for this content.
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So many institutions have moved their programming online, we now have the ability to be in Washington D.C., New York City, and downtown Houston all from the comfort of our homes. During the last few weeks, I've found myself filling my calendar with concerts, author readings, and gardening classes to add a little excitement to the dull drum of my current routine. I've taken a natural dyeing class through the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. I've listened to Mexican author, Fernanda Melchor discuss her latest novel, Hurricane Season. I geeked out watching documentaries that were entered into the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. My favorite was The River and the Wall, it was an exceptional introduction to the beauty of the Rio Grande River and its' varied topography and ecosystems. So here's to a summer full of world-class museums, symphonies, and events I may otherwise never have the opportunity to visit outside of the pandemic.
June 6 - Public Poetry will host a virtual reading series. You will need to register to attend. Please visit their site for further details, http://www.publicpoetry.net/.
June 12 - The American Craft Council is hosting the second part of their Craft Thinking series. These are free virtual sessions with an emphasis on crafters responding to COVID-19. In part 2, they are exploring ecological and sustainable practices for makers. Their site also has several other courses and resources for artists in need. For more information please visit, https://craftcouncil.org/resources-programs/forum.
June 13 - Writespace's upcoming virtual workshop, Online Character: The Beating Heart of Your Story and How to Find It! will be taught by KC Sinclair from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. There is a cost to attend. You may register by clicking here.
San Antonio Botanical Gardens online class information,
https://www.sabot.org/learn/adult-classes/.
Live with Carnegie Hall performances,
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Explore/Watch-and-Listen/Live-with-Carnegie-Hall.
Transnational Literature Series,
https://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/programs/transnational-literature-series/.
Film Festivals that have moved online, https://www.moviemaker.com/the-best-online-film-festivals-of-2020-presented-by-filmfreeway/.
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Opportunities
Public Poetry has an open call for Virus Poems. They will be due no later than August 31, 2020. For submission guidelines please visit their website, https://publicpoetry.submittable.com/submit.
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