Serving on the WiVLA board has it perks, especially if you volunteer to help out with our special events. I’ve been pretty lucky to have had a front-row seat during poetry readings. I’ve often been grateful that our poets couldn’t see me while they were reading. I’ve learned to keep a tissue handy during WiVLA readings.
Working on the Reflection catalog gave me an opportunity to refresh my remedial skills with Adobe’s InDesign product. I’m now slightly more advanced than I was two years ago. The combined perk of being president and the catalog editor afforded me the opportunity to choose the literary and visual pieces that grace the front and back covers. I’ve shared the selections with only one other person, and she’s not talking.
Now that the Collaboration catalog is in production, we’ve focused our attention on the exhibition. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the literary and visual pieces are outstanding. Y’all never cease to amaze me with your creativity. Based on what I’ve seen, the reception will be a family-friendly affair, so invite everyone that you know.
In addition to our marketing efforts, Lee College will be sending marketing materials to their mailing list. In addition, they will provide us with posters and postcards that we can share with clients, friends, and family. We’ll also have digital images that you can use on your website, mailings, and social media posts.
One of the pluses of having our 2020 Collaboration online is that we can still view and share it. Several of us on the board have included a link to the video when applying for exhibition venues. Although I’m thrilled that we have this wonderful venue for in-person receptions and the exhibition, I expressed my sorrow that we wouldn’t have a permanent record of the event. As usual, all I have to do is wish for something and Margo delivers. We now have a videographer who will record the opening reception.
We’re working with Harris County to procure a bus to take us to Lee College (and back again). We’re anticipating a bus that can hold 38 passengers. Check out our Calendar to reserve your seat (and a guest).
Great art and writing, reception, transportation—it’s going to be a great event! Save the date now for December 3.
- Melody -
Haunted Holidays at the Brazos Bookstore
November 5th, 2022 6:30 - 8:00 PM
The Haunted Holidays event is right around the corner. WiVLA is joining up with the Houston Writers Guild and the Brazos Bookstore to present this event so that our wonderful writers can share with us their favorite goblins, golems and gremlins. The readings will begin at 6:30 p. m. at Brazos Bookstore.
If You Build It, WiVLA Will Decorate It!
Earlier this past summer, the WiVLA board selected Sally Worthington’s design for our portion of the Memory Wall at Smither Park. Following some minor modifications by the Orange Show reviewers, we’re pleased to unveil our design.
According to Sally, "The design is a celebration of women in the arts - literary and visual. The central figure is a personification of the Muse in art and literature, an amalgamation of the Ancient Greek concept and the Pre-Raphaelite ideal.”
Sally envisions that tile will comprise the majority of the material. Because we’re a group of novices when it comes to tilework, you’re encouraged to bring a friend who knows the craft. We’ll also look to the talented group of artists who are also working on the Wall.
As we enter the period of Chamber of Commerce weather, the time is right to begin working on our portion of the wall. If working and laughing with a group of talented women is your cup of tea (or a chipped piece of tile), contact Sally Worthington at worthington75@gmail.com. She’s compiling a list of enthused volunteers.
In addition, there will be a breakfast for the artists at Smither Park on Saturday, November 12. If you’re interested in attending, contact Sally for details.
Calling all WiVLA members! If you are interested in participating in a virtual exhibition during the 2023 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, contact our Visual Co-Chair, Aliza Bejarano at visual@wivla.org. If you would like to reserve a spot for the 2023 season you may do so by clicking the button below.
Watch your Inbox for an email with the Zoom meeting code.
Lorette Luzajic
Lorette C. Luzajic studied for a degree in journalism, but she prefers creative writing, usually about art. She reads, writes, publishes, edits, and teaches ekphrastic flash fiction and prose poetry. Hers have appeared in hundreds of literary journals, including Ghost Parachute, The Disappointed Housewife, Bending Genres, Unbroken, Trampset, The Citron Review, Flash Boulevard, New Flash Fiction Review, and beyond, and about two dozen anthologies.
She has four each of Best of the Net and Pushcart nominations, as well as one for Best Small Fictions and Best Microfiction. She won first place in a flash contest at MacQueen's Quinterly. She has also acted as judge for the Tom Park Poetry Prize. Lorette wrote a column on the parallels between Wine and Art for many years at Good Food Revolution. Today she writes Eat. Play. Rove,, a column on culinary lore, including food in art history.
She is the author of three ekphrastic collections, Aspartame, Pretty Time Machine, and Winter in June. She is the founding editor of The Ekphrastic Review, a journal of literature inspired by art. Lorette is also an award-winning neoexpressionist artist, with collectors in more than 30 countries so far.
She is also passionately curious about ancient civilizations, artisan and tribal jewelry, folk horror stories and cinema, food and wine, to name a few.
Upcoming workshops with The Ekphrastic Review. Click on the images below to learn more.
November - December
WiVLA Member Gail Plunkett is featured in the November - December virtual exhibition. To view the exhibition, please click here. For best results, view on full screen on your computer or laptop. You will be prompted to download the app if you view it on your mobile device.
This is an opportunity available to all WiVLA members. For information or to register to exhibit your work please visit our website.
Creativity is many things, such as Engagement, Action, Truth, and of course, Beginning. When I enter into a creative Beginning, I feel like someone else is in control. Understatement: I don’t always cope well with feeling out of control. So I said to Beginning, “Explain yourself, please. Maybe then I won’t feel so overwhelmed.” Graciously, Beginning said, “Write this down,” and that is where “I Am Beginning” came from. It will one day appear in Blue Whale School of Creativity, my book-in-progress about creativity. If you wish to follow the book’s unfolding, subscribe to my blog of the same name through BlueWhaleGallery.com.
October Meeting Highlight
Alli Villines: Crankie Stories: Creativity on a Roll
Alli Villines sparked our interest in Crankie Stories at the WiVLA member meeting on October 19. Alli, part of the duo LoFi Puppets and Stuff, began with a history of stories told by puppets and crankie boxes. She paid homage to some of the women cranksters who paved the way for women interested in this art form for telling stories: Sue Truman, Katherine Fahey, and Bronia Evers.
Alli used a crankie box for her presentation including a demonstration of constructing a crankie box from a matchbox. Here is a YouTube tutorial on making crankie boxes from a matchbox.
Crankie boxes can be constructed from a variety of boxes, including suitcases.
For more information about crankie box, check out this website
Lucky for us, Alli and Greg from LoFi Puppets and Stuff will conduct workshops (with crankie box kits) at Zine Fest Houston on November 12, 2022 at the Orange Show (12:00 pm -6:00pm).
If you missed the meeting or would like to see it again, you can find the meeting recording on our YouTube channel.
Tour of the Archive Collection at the Menil
WiVLA members toured the Menil Archives on Wednesday, October 19 and had lunch afterwards. Let Margo know which field trips and workshops you would like to see in '23. Yes, that rhyme was intentional. LOL
Fulfill every dream you've ever had of owning glorious full color printed copies of Sabina's zine: That Plant F**ker. Plus there will be other zines to discover too (and crankie box kit to purchase). Shut up and take my money!
Texas Women for the Arts Grants
Since 2005, Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) has awarded 318 grants totaling over $3.7 million to arts education programs across the state. Those numbers are sure to rise, as the application period for next year’s grants opened on October 1 and runs until December 1.
Margo Stutts Toombs at the Houston Fringe Festival
Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Margo Stutts Toombs is one of the performers in the Anything Goes night of the Houston Fringe Festival - Sunday, Nov 6. 7:30pm, the MATCH, Matchbox #1. https://matchouston.org/
Art on the Avenue at Winter Street
Several of the WiVLA members are participating in Art on the Avenue, an online auction that will be held December 1-3. Art on the Avenue is the biggest silent auction of local art in Houston, and a great place to buy art for yourself or as a gift.
Proceeds support Avenue's mission to enhance the quality of life for working families, and to promote healthy, vibrant, and economically diverse neighborhoods in Houston. https://www.avenuecdc.org/art-culture/art-on-the-avenue/
Pixels + Silver Photographic Collective: Light Around the World
Donna E Perkins and Melody Locke are participating in an outdoor photo exhibition by the Pixels + Silver Photographic Collective titled "Light Around the World". This exhibition is part of FotoFest. The outdoor show will be available for viewing anytime through December 10. Over 40 large photographs printed at 3' x 5' on metal will be on display. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd.
Understanding the role of a Publicist
Houston Writer's Guild
Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 4:00 pm
What does a publicist do? How does that differ from marketing and public relations? As an author, how do you work effectively with a publicist? These are some of the questions explored in this session with Mickey Mikkelson, head of Creative Edge Publicity.
About The Presenter:
Mickey Mikkelson is the founder of Creative Edge Publicity. In 2006, he began his work in the literary and bookseller industry as the Special Events Manager for Chapters/Indigo, Canada’s largest bookstore chain, in St. Albert, Alberta. Ten years later, he formed Creative Edge Publicity, an aggressive publicity firm that specializes in advocating for both the traditional and independent artist.
Since founding Creative Edge, Mickey has signed some of the top talents in the literary industry, including multiple award-winning authors, New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, and successful indie authors, many of whom have become international bestselling authors while working within the Creative Edge brand.
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.
