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It's been a wild year of virtual and in-person events! The perfect way to end 2024 is with an in-person holiday party.
It's never too early to SIGN UP to bring your favorite festive lite bites and beverages!
December 8
2:00-5:00 PM
Silver Street Studios, Studio 320
2101 Winter Street
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Caroline Marcos was born in Alexandria, Egypt, as a Copt (Christian Egyptian) with mixed Greek and Lebanese descent. Caroline has a B.A. in Studio Art and Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy Psychology from Norte Dame de Namur University. At UC Santa Cruz, Caroline studied under Frank Galuszka, Tim Craighead, and Don Fritz, who worked in painting and mixed media using mica, acrylic gel transfers, and beeswax.
She is currently a Houston-based mixed media artist, working in water media; acrylic, collage, and at times encaustic. She has exhibited nationally in juried shows at the Art Car Museum in Houston, The Jung Center, Houston, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, The Greater Denton Arts Council Art House Gallery, Atlanta, GA. as well local art festivals and actively takes commissions. Caroline has collectors in The Woodlands TX, Houston and Los Angeles. Before starting a family she enjoyed counseling at Houston's First Baptist in the Juliana Poor Memorial counseling center as an LPC-Intern.
Presently, Caroline is a, joyous mom of two, and active exhibiting artist who makes "soul-scapes"-surreal landscapes that express her mind, heart, and spirit as well as her response to nature. She occasionally gives back to the community by teaching art therapy workshops at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Spring Texas, and the Jung Center Houston.
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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 online.
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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WiVLA Pearl for October
Kathi Crawford
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I first learned about WiVLA through my friend, Margo Stutts Toombs, whom I met in a “Relax It’s Just Poetry” class with Cait Weiss Orcutt in June 2022. With Margo’s encouragement, I began signing up for WiVLA classes, starting with a Haiku workshop led by Denise Bossarte in August 2022. From the very first session, I felt welcomed and inspired to be part of such a vibrant group of creative women in Houston.
Though I was hesitant to officially join at first—fearing I might become overwhelmed as I tend to want to fully commit to everything I’m involved in—I continued to attend classes and events throughout the year. By July 2023, I was so deeply connected to the group that I decided to become a member.
In 2024, I had the honor of stepping into an At Large role on the WiVLA Board, leading the initiative to organize an October event celebrating WiVLA’s 30th anniversary. Thanks to the dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers on the committee, planning this event has been both easy and rewarding. Every member I’ve met has a story about how WiVLA has enriched their lives, whether through creative growth, lasting friendships, or new opportunities.
One of my most memorable experiences was collaborating with Brooke Summers-Perry this year for the Entangled Collaboration, which culminated in standing-room-only readings and an artwork exhibit. I look forward to many more creative collaborations and projects with my fellow WiVLA artists and writers in the future.
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Shirley Beyer Is in the Arts Alliance Show
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Check out Shirley's art piece that was juried into the upcoming Visual Arts Alliance show at the Reeves Art + Design.
Reception
Wednesday, November 6
6:00 to 8:00 PM
2415 Taft Street, Houston, 77006.
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Mildred J. Mills is Self-Love Advocate of the Year
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"Well, my WIVLA community, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Because you and your tribe voted and pushed me over the finish line of the 2024 Impact Award, I am the “Self-Love Advocate of the Year” winner. This nomination happened because of the impact my book, “Daddy’s House,” had on the person who nominated me.
The I’m Loving Me Project will present the award on December 14th at the Winter Wonderland Holiday Gala in Atlanta, GA.
All I can say is WOW, and thank you for showing up and supporting me again."
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...And read all about Mildred J. Mills in Femi Magazine:
Ambassador of Self Care
A Life of Quiet Revolution and Resilience!
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Growing up on a farm during the Jim Crow era, Mills learned valuable lessons from her father, who, despite being a Black man running a business during one of the most oppressive periods in American history, never let racism define him. “You can be anything you want to be,” he instilled in her—a belief that fueled her resilience.
Read more now on our website - Femi Magazine
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Three WiVLA Members in Journey into Time
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Deborah DEEP Mouton / Catherine Gentry / Joy Beguine (Rebecca) / Jean King
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October 4th, Houston Writers Guild and WiVLA hosted the "Journey into Time" book launch party at Brazos Bookstore. Former Houston Poet Laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, kicked off the event with a spirited poetry-writing exercise. The details are on our YouTube channel. Winners of the writing contest were announced, and three of WiVLA's members walked away with prizes. Jean King was awarded an Honorable Mention, Joy Beguine (some of us call her Rebecca) won Second Place, and Catherine Gentry won First Place! Special thanks to Brazos Bookstore for providing the perfect venue for this event!
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Denise Bossarte's Art is Showing Up
All Over Town!
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...at the Woodlands Art League Fall show
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Denise had three winners at the Woodlands Art League Fall show: Photography (first), mixed media (third), and sculpture (honorable mention).
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...at the Northwest Art League
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Three of Denise Bossarte’s pictures, one is a clay relief sculpture (Walking the dog) and two are experimental clay collages of porcelain/frit poured over various objects that burn away in the kiln.
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Katherine Grace McDaniel was in
the Surrealism Show at Hardy & Nance
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Katherine Grace McDaniel had an acrylic and watercolor painting "Transplantation" in the 100th Anniversary of Surrealism Show at Hardy & Nance on October 19th. Check out more of Katherine's work at: @katherine.g.mcdaniel
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WiVLA members received awards
at HAS fall exhibition
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Shirley Beyer and Melody Locke received awards at the Houston Arts Society Open Fall Exhibition, which was judged by Fran Ellisor. Awarded entries are eligible for the Lone Star Art Guild exhibition in 2025.
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And... Melody also had three of pieces selected for the Conroe Art League (CAL) Fall Judged Show, which was juried by Lee Steffy. Satone's Throw will be on view in the Madeley Fine Art Gallery in November.
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Rona Lesser is having a solo exhibit
at Sawyer Yards
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Rona Lesser is having a solo exhibit " Earth and Sky" at Gallery 300 in the Silos at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer St. from Nov 2- Nov 30. There will be a reception following Second Sat open studios Sat. Nov. 9 from 5-7p.m. The exhibit will include acrylic, pastel and watercolor landscape and skyscape paintings from several years of work. View Rona’s art work at www.ronalesser.com. Check out her work at Women’s Caucus for Art www.nationalwca.org
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WiVLA History in New Exhibit
at University of Houston MD Anderson Library.
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WiVLA History is included in two new exhibits featuring selections from the Carey Shuart Women’s Research Collection at University of Houston MD Anderson Library. Nevertheless, She Persisted! Women as Historic Influencers will be viewable on MD Anderson Library Floor 2, while Leagues of Their Own: Representing 60 Years of Women’s Athletics Achievement will be on display on Floor 1. Claire Keck, graduate assistant curator for the Carey Shuart Women’s Research Collection, selected materials for Nevertheless, She Persisted! depicting influential women in the Houston region who effected changes in society, politics, and artistic expression.
Among the WiVLA items on display is the poem "Change" by Elizabeth Gilbert from WiVLA's 1997 anthology, Conversations. (See below)
Visitors are welcome to view the exhibits during regular building hours between September 6, 2024 and May 31, 2025. Visit Entering MD Anderson Library for details on quick and secure building access.
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Change by Liz Gilbert
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The change from my father's pocket seemed a wonderful thing. He placed it on his dresser at night. Large, round quarters. Smaller, copper pen-nies. Even thinner, silver dimes. Occasionally, the unexpected thickness of a silver dollar. Those could not be taken. But the quarters could and I did steal them. Put them in my pocket. Clasped my hand around the cold, naughtiness and fondled them. Removed later, one quarter could buy my lunch. A bag of barbecue potato chips. A call, cold, bottle of Pepsi. Lunch for .25 cents. It was 1968.
My father's change... My change... Changes in my body. Pregnant, a new, tiny change within took me out of the pocket of my family. Transported me to another…man's pocket.
A younger version of my father left behind, my husband whose claims were made to the pocket between my legs where I sensed a change and from where my daughter would emerge. Change again this life of mine, forever changing.
Death to the old. Birth to the new.
Undiscovered, frightening paths led to more changes. Lead to more and more changes, which change me. Forever.
No more the girl wondering, I've wandered from the change in my father’s pocket. It is 1997.
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Writespace is Houston's writing center. Founded in April of 2014, it is a grassroots literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. Writespace supports writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres. Through weekly writing workshops led by some of Houston's finest writing teachers, Writespace seeks to give writers who can't afford to earn an MFA in Creative Writing the same high-quality training and mentorship opportunities available through MFA programs.
Plan to attend the Fantasy Book Ball
December 14
7:00-9:00 PM
Use the discount code WIVLA20
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Trailor for the Fantasy Book Ball
https://bit.ly/WritespaceTrailer
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A Walk around the Block : Mt. Kilimanjaro
with Gladys Mae Bullock
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Join Gladys Mae Bullock, writer, motivational speaker, and outdoor enthusiast, as she shares the impact the outdoors has had on her life and shares how the outdoors and nature can help transform your life. During this program, Gladys will share her most recent adventure - traveling to Tanzania and hiking Mount Kilimanjaro! Pre-registration is required to attend this program. Don't forget your favorite coffee mug. Coffee and light breakfast pastries are generously provided for this program by HEB.
Gladys Mae Bullock is a poet, educator, and motivational speaker. She has been writing and reading poetry derived from her own experiences for over 20 years. In 1995, she developed the innovative workshop STEP (Starting To Experience Progress), which utilizes her poetry skills and a keen ability to engage emotionally with a wide array of audiences.
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Workshops at the Ekphrastic Review
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Lorette Luzajic will show some fascinating paintings featuring cats, dogs, and other pets. And Kate, a linguist who is also a professional pet sitter, will talk about the language of our animal companions and how we form relationships with them. She will have some writing exercises to inspire participants on the theme.
$25
Sunday November 10
9 to 11 AM CST
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...The Madonna in Art: a Discovery Workshop
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Participants in this workshop will look at the history of the Virgin Mary in visual art around the world, and learn the secrets of the symbols that accompany her, the meanings of different renderings and styles, and much more.
The first half of this workshop will be a tour of visual images and discussion of the art and artists. In the second half, students will use some of the imagery to inspire contemplation and creativity, with prompts for poems or short fiction.
$25.00
Tuesday, December 10
1:00 to 3:00 pm CST
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Texas Women for the Arts Opens Grant Applications for Art Education Programs
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Texas Women for the Arts (TWA), a program of the Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), has opened applications for its annual grants program.
TWA is a membership program developed in 2005, that currently counts over 200 Texas women as members. Since its inception, the group has granted over 400 awards, totaling more than $4.3 million. Specifically, the grants initiative supports arts education efforts across the state. Last year, TWA granted more than $319,000 to community organizations, museums, after-school programs, summer camps, and more.
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Grackle and Grackle hosts creative writing classes taught by talented writers who love to teach. They also consult with organizations and businesses seeking a literary touch on big projects, or who want them to create workshops for team retreats or other events. They work with all ages of writers.
Founded by writers Miah Arnold and Raj Mankad in 2014, their goal is to bolster the power of storytelling in Houston and abroad to connect writers to each other. By offering graduated discounts on classes, they ensure that anybody who wants to take a class at Grackle and Grackle can do so.
They host weekend workshops for retreats geared toward specific kinds of writing, therapy, or outcomes; and weekly workshops in institutional or hospital settings. As consultants, they deliver strategic plans, texts, publications, illustrations, and videos. They collaborate with graphic design, landscape, urban planning, and architecture firms.
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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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