June 2024

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View this email in your browser Inspire. Promote. Collaborate.                                   June (bugs rule) 2024 (I have your attention)                                        The President's Message: May was a month, y’all! My personality type, my childhood experiences, the events that shaped how I perceive the world have influenced how I prioritize my values. For the most part, I prioritize safety and predictability. Sure, we all need these basics, but how much does it take before we PERCEIVE that we have them? Intellectually I know that I am safe. I do breathing exercises, vagus nerve massage, mindfulness exercises, so many things to try to bring my physiological responses to perceived threats back to normal. I wait patiently for my executive functioning to come back online after I’ve had an adrenaline rush. I teach people how to do these practices and still, often, I need my kids or others close to me to remind me to breathe.   May was a month, y’all! I applied for full-time jobs for the first time in 7 years. We have a construction project going on in our garage to relocate my studio. Some personal health-related issues with one of my kids is mid-way through tests, and then the WTF storm came through. My kids have called it an “unnamed storm”, but I think it named itself! If you are like me, there is a lot of heavy-lifting that has to happen before getting to feeding the creativity longings! The harder the other stuff gets, the more I need creativity to express, process, and rejuvenate. When something out of the blue interrupts the daily routine of checkboxes in such a way, it looks more like cards and a game of 52 pickup, it is nearly impossible for me to be creative. But my life also shaped me into a people-pleaser which means it is easier for me to keep moving forward when I perceive that I am needed.  On the Saturday morning after the WTF storm I facilitated a nature walk at the Houston Botanic Garden, part of their Nurtured by Nature event. As I delivered the orientation and offered the first writing prompt, I felt my body relax for the first time in a few days. I noticed how “in the moment” I became. I felt connected and in community. As I reminded folks to use their five senses to connect with nature, I felt a deep sense of belonging. Many of the attendees were in the same boat as I was. We had left our homes with debris and no power to give ourselves a break in nature. I handed each attendee a journal and a pen. One participant grabbed my hands and cupped hers around my hands both of us holding the supplies in between. She looked me in the eyes, then closed her eyes and bowed slightly. It was a moment that froze time. This small, brief encounter exuded presence, being seen, community, belonging, mutuality, gratitude, and inspiration.  I am writing this message as the alley behind my house is being cleared and attended by lineman. I am reminded why I utilize so many mindfulness practices. In ordinary, extraordinary, and trying times, may I be cleared of the clutter that keeps me from my powerful longings and choices that bring me connection, belonging, gratitude, and mutuality. May you find what you seek with abundance and celebration, whether it is part of your ‘creative practice’ or not. May you create a fulfilling life, one moment at a time.   ~ Brooke Summers-Perry ~ In Memorium ~ Josena Fisher Arquieta ~ Josena passed away on May 9, 2024. She was a beloved member of WiVLA. In addition, Josena was the proud owner of Jd Metals. She held a Bachelor's degree from the esteemed Glassell School of Art, where her passion for creative expression blossomed. Known for her mastery of pastels, drawing, and painting, Josena's artistic talents captivated all who had the privilege of experiencing her work. Her last inperson WiVLA event was the studio tour of Gail Siptak's studio last year. Sandi Stromberg and Margo Stutts Toombs have poetry in the Friendswood Poets 2024 Anthology. Join us TODAY, June 1 at the Friendwood Library at 11:00 AM for a reading. Contact Margo if you would like to Zoom in instead. WiVLA is Turning 30! Be a Part of Something Special We have a date (Thursday, October 24, 6:30-8:30 PM) and a place (the Cloister Gallery at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave. Tickets are free, but registration is encouraged. We have several ways for you to participate: Finding sponsors Creating group art-projects tied to the event.  Assisting the "day of event" with set up and clean up of the venue. Click on the button(s) below that tickle your fancy. Register for Event Here Sponsor Committee Group Art Project Day of Event Volunteer Entangled Our Biennial Collaboration A couple of the deadlines for the Entangled Collaboration are fast approaching.  July 1: Deadline to register and pay for your team. Because of the time involved in planning and executing the collaborative works, now is the time to find a partner. You can also use our member directory on the WiVLA website to find your co-collaborator.  August 1: Date to begin uploading your literary and visual pieces. The method for uploading these files will be in place before August 1. As a reminder, the exhibition will open on Thursday, September 12, at Sabine Street Studios, located at the North Yard at Sawyer Yards. We'll celebrate our work during our reception on Friday, September 20.  If you want to participate in the Collaboration but have not found a partner, contact Melody Locke, Marie Casamayor-Harvey, or Ellen Seaton for assistance. You can view our current teams on our website. Member Directory More Info & Registration WiVLA Survey In April, you received a survey that enabled you to indicate whether or not WiVLA should try to procure a gallery space for our members' use. We've received many responses, and we’re eager to provide you with the results. Unfortunately, some of the key players in this activity were significantly impacted by the extreme weather event a couple of weeks ago. We will relay the preliminary results at the June meeting and follow up with a more detailed email message.    Because we record our monthly meetings, you will also be able to hear the results on the video within a couple of days after the meeting.    Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.    ~ WiVLA Calendar ~ Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting happenings - fieldtrips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities.    Calendar — WiVLA Save the Date(s)   Entangled exhibition and public reading, September 20 AuthorPalooza Extravaganza Conference , October 4  Conference Info WiVLA 30th Anniversary Party, October 24 Haunted Holidays Readings: Brazos Bookstore, November 9, 2024 @ 6:00 Literary Readings during the Member Meeting: ZOOM, November 19, 2024 @ 6:00 - Theme: Pearl Progress on the WiVLA Wall at Smither Park ~ The Orange Show Click here for more info   June Member/Guest Meeting with Dr. Nancy Glass ~  "I have something to say, and I had to learn how to say it." Nancy Glass, pediatrician, anesthesiologist, pain doctor, spent ten years caring for dying children at the end of her career. This presentation will trace her writing journey from its earliest attempts to her first publications, and to a nearly completed manuscript. She will read several short excerpts from her work.  Tuesday, June 18 6:00-8:30-ish ZOOM (The link will be sent out the week of the meeting) BIO: Dr. Nancy Glass has been published in Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, The Journal of Narrative Visions, Medicine and Meaning, Pulse: Voices from the Heart of Medicine, The Write Launch, in Chicken Soup for the Soul (on Angels and Miracles, Sept 2023), Amaranth, the Brevity nonfiction blog, and in Persimmon Tree. She won the 2022 Writer’s League of Texas Manuscript Contest in General Nonfiction. After forty years practicing pediatric critical care, anesthesiology and pain medicine, and pediatric hospice care, she retired from clinical practice as Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in 2022. She received her MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in January 2023, and is currently finalizing a collection of pediatric hospice essays May Member/Guest Meeting Moved to July: Mad, Wonderful Art: In Our Own Backyard Due to power outages and loss of WiFI, our May presenter, Bridgette Mongeon, will present at the July meeting. There is no meeting highlight this month, because the May meeting was cancelled. Cookie Ashton My work has changed many times throughout the years. My studies began with an academic approach, such as drawing and painting in oils, learning perspective, still lifes, etc. However, it seems that over the years, I have sought to break away from the rigidity and formality of those early teachings while attempting to maintain many of the simple principles such as shapes and forms, composition, and color values, continually embracing the freedom to explore.   I would describe my current body of work as abstract, organic, transparent, totally spontaneous, decorative, sometimes colorful, sometimes bold, thick and thin, with deliberate connectivity among the shapes. I enjoy seeing new imagery each time I view them and the feelings and emotions they may impart.   All my paintings are a combination of mixed media such as acrylic paints, acrylic inks, and charcoal, graphite, pastels, plasters, etc. My substrates vary from canvas, PVC panels, clayboard, watercolor papers to plexiglass.   I cannot imagine not painting or being creative in some way. It is not a choice, but a necessity. Hopefully, my work will continue growing, changing, inspiring, and giving pleasure. It is the most honest and revealing thing I do.  Cookie's Website Who will WiVLA highlight next? Each month, a WiVLA member is highlighted in the Newsletter. This is a fun way for us to get to know each other. Contact Margo, if you would like your time in the spotlight. Click for your spotlight The 30th Anniversary is symbolized by the pearl. As part of our celebration this year, let's share thoughts about our creative journey with WiVLA. In 150 words or less tell us about how membership in WiVLA has enhanced your creative and/or personal life. You can use some of these questions to help you get started. Or you can create a poem or short prose to express your feelings about WiVLA. Send your Pearls of WiVLA and a photo of you in your pearls (if you have them) to Margo (Please put "WiVLA" in the subject line). Or you can fill out some of the questions on line.  Possible questions * How long have you been a member of WiVLA?  * What inspired you to become a member of WiVLA? * In what ways has being a member of WiVLA impacted your life? * What is your favorite memory or experience as a WiVLA member? * How has WiVLA supported your creative journey? * What do you think sets WiVLA apart from other arts or literary organizations? * Which WiVLA events were the most meaningful to you, and why? * How has being a member of WiVLA connected you with other creatives? * Have you attended any WiVLA workshops? If so, which ones were especially beneficial to you, and how? Pearl for June: Karleen Koen From Karleen, One of the co-founders of WiVLA,  "A place for creativity in women to grow and thrive, a place of strong friendships and respect, a place open to new ventures and collaborations, a place welcoming and encouraging to beginners……so it was and so it is…. WIVLA." Send or request a short testimonial video(s) here Margo Stutts Toombs won "Best Music Video" at the Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival on May 25 in Sulfur, Louisiana. Margo's Website Ink & Image 2024 at Archway Gallery Winged 1 by donna e perkins Archway Gallery is pleased to be an exhibitor as part of PrintHouston 2024, a citywide celebration of printmaking. This exhibition features seven  Archway Gallery printmakers: donna e perkins, Cookie Wells, Shirl Riccetti, Liz Conces Spencer, Blaine Davis, John Slaby, Robert L. Straight. Archway is also fortunate to have two participating guest artists, Mary Lee Gray – a former Archway member; and Liv Johnson – printmaking instructor at the Glassell School of Art. The artists will be present at the opening reception on Saturday, June 8, 2024, to visit with viewers and explain their printmaking processes, with an Artist Talk at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will highlight the expressive power of the medium and the diversity of methods used.   Opening Reception 5 – 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8 with Artists' Talk at 6:30 p.m. Light Refreshments Complimentary Valet Parking  Archway Gallery -  2305 Dunlavy St Click here to view the artwork WiVLA members have pieces in the Visions Show  Check out the artwork of several of our WiVLA members: Melody Locke, Brooke Summers-Perry, Shirley Beyer, Liz Plaster, Jean King, Jo Zider, and Liz Plaster. The show will be up until June 28, and the Opening Reception is Tonight (June 1) 5:00-7:00 PM Jung Center 5200 Montrose Blvd Click on the video to enjoy the artwork of the participating artists. A Conversation with 5 Poets  Including Sandi Stromberg & Gabrielle Langley David Meischen will chair a panel with Houston poets Sandi Stromberg, Gabrielle Langley, Margo Davis, and John Milkereit.The poets will share work from Quicksilver, Fairy Tale, Frogs Don't Sing Red, Lost Sonnets for my Unvaccinated Lover, and Caliche Road Poems.   Monday, June 17 6:00-8:00 Jung Center - 5200 Montrose Blvd Gallery Tour with Sarah Sudoff & Jean King On Saturday, May 4, WiVLA members and guests were treated to a tour of Sarah Sudoff's show (The Past is Ever Present) at the Andrew Durham Gallery (1821 W. Alabama).  According to Sarah, "The Past is Ever Present" explores the use of cyanotypes, an alternative photographic process. Textiles have the ability to create tangible expressions of ephemeral experiences and encapsulate a specific time and place. They also, naturally, often speak to the feminine or domestic realm. The images created through the performance process are imprinted with lace patterns found in the windows and entrances to the homes in Galatina, Italy. This new photographic, performative and textile-based work explores, through lace ornamentation, domestic roles, invisible labor, matriarchal lineage, and public/private expressions of self – the saintly, the erotic, the ornamental or mysterious. In processing the cyanotypes, I meditatively count silently in my head for eight minutes, allowing each piece to develop in the sun, and thus creating a unique record of time, place, and my silhouette. The process and resulting unique works embody remnants of a past life or journey, both private and public. A map, revealing my journey and yet obscuring some of the details, waiting for me to uncover them." Jean King also conducted a tour of her studio, nearby.   Sarah Sudoff's Website Sandi Stromberg, Kelly Ann Ellis, and Margo Stutts Toombs have pieces in The Memory Palace. You can buy a lovely hard copy or download a free copy. Buy Now on Amazon Downloadable Copy Felting Workshop at the Jung Center From: Elissa Davis Felting - Enjoy this contemporary approach to an ancient fiber medium. Wrap a beach ball with luscious and colorful merino wool, cover it with pantyhose, add soap and water, and bounce! No previous experience necessary, just curiosity and a willingness to have some fun. All supplies are provided and you go home with a finished item. Saturday, June 22 12:30-4:00 Jung Center - 5200 Montrose Blvd Click here for more information WiVLA Needs Your Expertise Do you have special skills, talents or knowledge to share with other WiVLA members? Now is a good time to volunteer ~ Serve on a committee Speak at a monthly meeting Lead a workshop. Be creative Don't be shy. We have a lot to learn from each other. Click here for more info 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. Or send your news items here Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*