Susan Salter, visual artist, discussed her show in October, 3x3 by THREE and her trip to Ireland. Margo Stutts Toombs, literary artist screened the video poems she created with her grant. The meeting was completed with a drawing for the 2024 recipients, Jean King, visual artist, and Mildred Mills, literary artist.
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Click here to view the YouTube Video of the Meeting.
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Karleen Koen & the Story of WiVLA
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WIVLA began because I was in a professional women’s networking group and felt like it didn’t quite meet my needs as a writer. It just so happened that Janean Thompson, an artist and Mary Kay representative, and Martha Skow, an art consultant, were in that same group.
So, I talked to Janean, a ball of fire ginger who never met a stranger, and to Martha, a cool, friendly, intelligent blonde, to see if they thought an organization for women who deal with and off of creativity might work. We decided we would call a meeting of our friends who were artists or writers and see what might evolve. Martha provided a gallery space to meet. And that meeting in late 1993, November I think, was the beginning of WIVLA.
That night, we decided on a name. (At first it was Women in the Literary and Visual Arts. Then we decided Women in the Visual and Literary Arts sounded stronger.) We decided we would offer a monthly speaker about some aspect of creativity. We would be cheap to join because creatives often were not rolling in money. (And Janean paid out of her own pocket for anyone she surmised was interested but couldn’t afford yearly dues of $20, I think) Those truly interested agreed to meet for an organizational meeting, and out of that second meeting came our first board. You who are members now have no idea of what you owe these go-for-it women.
We met upstairs at Texas Art Supply on Montrose because member Nancy Dunn worked there and could get us free space. The word ”free” played into so much of our planning in those early years. We took board positions, me being first president because I spoke little and folks thought my silence was some kind of wisdom rather than the shyness it really is. Janean took membership, and her passion was huge, calling friends and strangers, practically selling us on the street from a lemonade stand. We determined right away that we would work toward being designated a non-profit.
Our mission statement was simple: To provide for the advancement of the visual and literary arts through intellectual stimulation and encouragement to women involved in the creative process and to women engaged in marketing creative work. At our first meeting held in an art gallery space Martha found for us about 20-30 women were there, and though our speaker ran short, we were able to fill in by talking about WIVLA and what it might be.
Who knew we would touch such a need? Who knew the synergy between writers and artists would make magic happen? Who knew how creative creatives can be? Member Carolyn Graham came up with the idea of Circle of Five, where each talks about her art and brings a sample. I don’t know who suggested writers ought to read at our first art opening, but that was a huge success and became a beloved tradition for the artists as well as the writers. Our first collaboration was called "Conversations" (in a board meeting someone suggested we combine a writing based on art or visa versa and put them in a book). Did we have the money? No. We made it back by our sales of the handsome book created. Origami artist Joan Son did these first books with skill and her unique sense of beauty. There is a hand pasted WIVLA patch on each black cover. Which means WIVLAs gathered in someone’s home—likely member Betty Allan Trembly’s—and pasted them on. We gathered together often to make this or that happen, and strong bonds formed. Plus, it was always fun. And there was always food.
At Christmas, a party would be held in someone’s art studio, and as a writer, I loved all the color and texture and things that were displayed. My home office to this day looks like a messy artist’s studio.
We learned that creativity doesn’t have a single genre. We learned that any speaker talking about creativity—whether the business side of how to submit something or talking about her own creative process—spoke to something in all of us. Writers began to art; artists began to write; creativity really doesn’t have boundaries. The most beautiful thing to see was how timid, first-time-to-attend women who wanted to be creative but didn’t dare blossomed as they watched other women in active practice. We provided role models for every facet of one’s creative journey, and the fact of seeing other women create…..maybe even make a living at it…..was like lighting candles inside hearts everywhere. There was always an unspoken mentoring, a kindness, and inclusion. The artists loved the writers and respected them, and the writers loved the artists and respected them. It was a circle that fed and sustained all who joined it.
Our first fundraiser came about like everything we created did: a suggestion from a board member who was a playwright—member Elizabeth Gilbert— to take our latest collaboration and turn it into performance. So, actress Lydia Porto—whom someone knew—became our director, and someone’s husband was on the Rice theatre faculty (of course), and so we were able to get the Rice stage to present it. And it was so successful that we followed up with “performance at tea time" from others in the collaboration, and then someone suggested we fundraise. Well, why not? High tea at the Remington Hotel was our first fundraiser, and member Lynn Weeks brought in a donor who gave us $14,000, the seed money for what is now our scholarship, a scholarship unique in its openness on how it may be spent. (I went on a research trip to Paris. Peggy Sexton put in new drainage for her fabric studio.)
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.
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Who will WiVLA highlight next?
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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.
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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?
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Pearl for May: Lane Devereux
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When I joined WiVLA about 25 years ago, I had been very ill for a decade. Medically disabled, I lost the career that I loved and became a shut-in. Those were lonely, difficult years for me. When I was finally able to reconnect with the world and find a new place for myself, I started with WiVLA. I had heard from several people that WiVLA was open and encouraging, and I desperately needed that. When I joined, I had no sense of myself as an artist, only as a writer, but being exposed to the creativity at WiVLA gave me the push that helped me develop that side of my talents, too. I also had the good fortune to win an ECO award, which allowed me to hire a developmental editor, an important step forward for my writing. WiVLA truly lived up to its mission statement for me.
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Gladys Mae Bullock's WiVLA Testimonial
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As WiVLA members celebrate our 30th anniversary, long-time and new members share their Pearls of WiVLA—what WiVLA membership has meant to them. Following our poetry readings in La Porte, Gladys Mae shared her thoughts about her creative journey with WiVLA.
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Click here for the video
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Three WiVLA members participated in the Houston Art Society Spring Show, which was judged by Linda Vanek. Congratulations to Shirley Beyer, Brooke Summers-Perry and Melody Locke.
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Once again, the poetry didn't disappoint. Many thanks to the La Porte Branch Library for being the greatest host! WiVLA is so proud of our talented literary members!
If you couldn't attend, you can watch and share the readings on our YouTube channel. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified when we upload videos of meetings and events.
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Click here for YouTube video of the poetry reading.
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Gail Plunkett's watercolor series, "The Scrunchies," took second place at the April Members Exhibit of the Watercolor Art Society-Houston.
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Susan Salter is back on TV...
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From Susan: "Here's a link to my last 5 minutes of fame....hey hey. My friend Brenda Bowman and I were interviewed by Haley Hernandez on KPRC, regarding our debilitating eye conditions. There's also a short segment of me doing an encaustic demo. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be on TV talking about my eyes, or my art."
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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.
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Donna E Perkins has a painting in the Visual Arts Alliance 40th Membership Exhibition ~ until May 11st.
The Jung Center 5200 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006.
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Rona Lesser also has a piece in the spring juried VAA exhibit at the Jung Center.
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Join Margo Stutts Toombs as she screens her 3 video poems from 2023 ~
Brimston Museum
Sulfur, Louisiana
Sat., May 25
10:00 - 4:00
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WiVLA Members Cooked
at the
The Edible Book Festival
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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain ~ Jean King
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The Fork in the Roast ~ Cori Austin
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Infinite Zest ~ Lee Steiner
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Bring your lawnchair for a fun outdoor video event. Margo Stutts Toombs has a projection time 9:00-9:30 PM.
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Nurtured by Nature: A Walk in the Garden ~ Facilitated by Brooke Summers-Perry
Saturday, May 18
10:00 AM
A slow-paced sensory experience in nature allows us to deeply connect with nature’s wisdom and her beauty. Through simple prompts and invitations to notice patterns and details, sights, and sounds, we are able to connect and be rejuvenated by the gifts of the garden.
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WiVLA Needs Your Expertise
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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.
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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.
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