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Hello! Thank you for the spotlight this month. My name is Gwendolyn Womack. Everyone calls me Gwen.
I am originally from Houston and moved away for college eons ago to Fairbanks, Alaska, where I ended up switching my major from environmental science and planting trees in the tundra to majoring in theater.
Then it was on to Los Angeles to get an MFA in theater and film directing. After graduating, I stayed in LA and embarked on writing screenplays. I’m a lifelong writer and have written poetry, theater plays, screenplays, and now books, which has been my main focus for the past ten years.
I moved back to Houston in 2023 and discovered WiVLA shortly afterwards in a serendipitous moment. It has been wonderful to be back and connect with the writing and art community.
Storytelling is my passion, but I also enjoy exploring the visual arts, especially when I need to take a breath from writing—which is why WiVLA is a perfect fit for me. I began painting sporadically in college. Then, ten years ago I started photographing kaleidoscopes. I’ve been sharing those images for years on social media. This past year WiVLA members have inspired me to do more. I recently created a little popup shop on Printify called Kaleidoscope Time with some favorite kaleidoscope images, and I’d love to exhibit my kaleidoscope photography next.
On the book front, I will be launching my newest book, The Premonitions Club, at Murder By The Book on 4/22 at 6:30pm. Please join me with your book loving friends if you can! The story is a YA thriller about a group of teens who discover old boxes filled with letters of psychic predictions, and they are put in the crosshairs of dangerous people who will do anything to get their hands on them. I like to call it The Breakfast Club meets Firestarter, and it is written for teens and adults alike.
If you have a book club, I love doing author talks (please visit the book clubs page on my website), and if you’re connected to a high school who might like to do a book visit, please reach out.
Thanks again for the spotlight! I look forward to all the creative fun times ahead with everyone. This year I am honored to be WiVLA’s Literary Co-Chair with Rebecca Chirak. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any writerly ideas or suggestions you’d like to share.
Cheers!
Website: www.gwendolynwomack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwendolyn.womack/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGwendolynWomack
Kaleidoscope Time: https://kaleidoscope-time.printify.me/products
The Premonitions Club launch: https://www.murderbooks.com/Womack
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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 the Literary Art Chair or the Visual Art Chair, if you would like your time in the spotlight.
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And Margo's video Art Shadow will screen at the Barnstorm Dance Festival on April 29 & May 2. Festival runs APRIL 29 thru MAY 3.
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The Bayou Review, Spring 2025, published both online and in print by the University of Houston-Downtown, will include three of Gail's images: After the Dam Broke (markers and ink pen), Escapee, and This is Freedom (both collages of her own watercolor and ink pen work).
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Melody's lumen print, Midnight Oaks, was awarded Third Place at the Abstraction exhibition at The Ardest Gallery. The juror was Nick Barbee.
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Cathi's flash fiction Eruption was published in the Synkroniciti’s Identity issue. The story is about communicating with loved ones in states of cognitive decline.
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Denise's poem Scarab Envy was a poetry finalist
for the Identity issue of Synkroniciti Magazine. |
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And three of Denise's photographs were accepted into the
Surging Seas & Mounting Waves exhibit at the
Webster Presbyterian Church
from April 4 - June 15, 2025.
Over the Retaining Wall, After the Storm, Endless Wave s
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Kathi Crawford’s poem, After the Intermission, has been published by White Wall Review.
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Her prose poem, The Women Rallied as Time Slipped Away has been selected for publication in White Wall Review’s 54th print issue Metamorphosis coming out during the summer of 2025.
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Donna was commissioned by WiVLA member Kathi Crawford and her husband, Tim, to create a mixed media resin art piece with a photo she took of the Duomo in Florence, Italy. (photo above)
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Donna has been invited to exhibit at the Clio Art Fair in Chelsea art district of New York City on May 1-4, 2025
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Donna's work is in the SHIFT exhibit on view daily from 9:00 to 5:00pm at Sabine Street Studios through Saturday, April 12. SHIFT is a showcase of the Sabine Street artists’ interpretations and expressions of these shifts that occur within a single artwork, or through a series, or from one project to the next.
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Donna's Symbolic Self-Portrait and Venetian Inspirations are in the Mirror:Mirror exhibit on view daily from 9:00 to 5:00pm at Spring Street Studios through Saturday, June 14. Mirror:Mirror features artwork by over 70 artists across all of the studio buildings at Sawyer Yards together responding to the idea of duality.
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Donna's work is in the Do You See What I Hear? exhibit on view daily from 9:00 to 5:00pm at Spring Street Studios through Saturday, June 14. Do You See What I Hear? explores the symbiotic relationship between sound and the emotional connection to visual art.
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Synkroniciti is Open
for Written and Visual Art Submissions
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Synkroniciti is a quarterly online arts journal. They accept work in a variety of media across the visual, literary and performing arts spectrum. Issue twenty-four, Recovery, will debut this fall.
Submissions for their Recovery issue are now open. Contests will be held in poetry ($75), flash fiction ($75) and for the cover ($100).
Theme: "Recovery"
Deadline: 4/15/2025
Fee: $3 per submission
Submissions should be emailed to magazine@synkroniciti.com
Want to know now what they look for in a submission? Check out this interview with editor Katherine McDaniel by Jim Harrington over at Six Questions For Katherine McDaniel, Founder/Editor, Synkroniciti Magazine
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Daffodil Moon Community Write-In on Apr 3
This is a community write-in for the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest.
The Daffodil Moon Community Write-In
- Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MT
- $20 Fee
- With Amber Byers and Mari Mendoza
- Using Mari's mixed media as a writing prompt
Those who sign up for the event can participate in the Daffodil Moon Mini Contest.
This contest is teeny tiny:
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In 1975, the Jung Center opened its non-profit gallery space in Houston's Museum District. The space exhibits a diverse array of artists and a permanent collection by Peter Birkhäuser.
The gallery space presents up-and-coming artists, local artists, Texas based artists, career retrospectives, and established or mid-career artists. Our fine art committee welcomes artists of different backgrounds and abilities to apply to our free annual open call.
Submission Guildelines
Theme: open
Entry Deadline: April 30th, 2025.
Entry Fee: none
Images for application: up to 10 images representative of the proposal. Also includes artists statement and bio.
Location: The Jung Center 5200 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
Dates: 2025 - 2026
Email entries to: Art and Exhibitions Committee, care of Elissa A. Davis at edavis@junghouston.org.
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LAWNDALE: The Big Show 2025
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Theme: Open
The Big Show is open to artists living within a 100-mile radius of Lawndale. Works previously exhibited in Houston are not eligible. Artworks completed between January 2023 to present.
Deadline: April 8, 2025
Juror: Dr. Phillip A. Townsend, Curator of Art, Art Galleries at Black Studies (AGBS) and Lecturer in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.
Fee: none
Location: Lawndale Art Center 4912 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Show Dates: June 6 – August 2, 2025
Artists should be notified of their application status by early May.
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Ardest Gallery: Color Field
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Theme: Color Field
Color Field is an artistic movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by large, flat areas of color within works. To pay homage to this movement, we are hosting a group art show featuring COLOR. All techniques welcome. All mediums are eligible for submission; 2D and 3D art welcome.
Deadline: May 9, 2025
Juror: Erika Whitney is an artist and educator based in Houston, Texas.
Fee: $30
Location: Ardest Gallery, 25200 Grogan's Park Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380
Show Dates: June 4 – July 2025
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Poets&Writers
Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database
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The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that were published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year.
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ONLY POEMS
POET OF THE YEAR PRIZE
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Theme: Open
Reading Period: March 1 - April 30.
Entry Fee: $18/submission.
This fee includes a complimentary one-year ONLY POEMS Membership (worth $99).
Length: 5-10 pages of poems
Published : Our Poet of the Year will receive $3000 and a lifetime ONLY POEMS Membership.
4 Finalists will receive $500 each and a year-long ONLY POEMS Membership.
As we do with our Poet of the Week series, we will publish 3-10 poems by all five selected poets alongside extensive interviews. Publication will be between July-November of the same year.
All submissions will be considered for general publication for our Poet of the Week series.
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Also check out the monthly POEM OF THE MONTH competition the first week of every month with a different theme/form free to enter and winners are paid $33.
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Theme: Open. Unpublished work only.
Reading Period: April 1 - June 30th
Entry Fee: Varies per category. Multiple payment options available as well as editorial review option.
Length: by category
- Poetry: Submit up to six poems (three for free submissions).
- Flash: Submit one piece of no more than 1000 words.
- Prose: Submit one piece of between 1000 and 5000 words.
- Visual art/photography: Submit images of up to 20 works.
- Mixed-genre/mixed-media
Published : Oct 15, 2025. Payment is US $120 per piece.
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Theme: Open. Unpublished work only.
Reading Period: April 1 - June 30th
Entry Fee: Varies per category. Multiple payment options available as well as editorial review option.
Length: by category
- Poetry: Submit up to 3 poems, not to exceed 10 pages.
- Fiction: Submit up to 2,000 words of fiction, either as one story or multiple flash pieces.
- Creative Non Fiction: Submit up to 3,000 words of creative nonfiction, either as one piece or multiple flash essays.
- Mixed-genre/mixed-media: Submit up to 5 images. We accept photographs as well as images of other forms of art including drawings, paintings, sculptures, and more.
Published : Winter 2025.
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Theme: Open. Unpublished work only.
Reading Period: Through May 1st.
Entry Fee: $27
Length: Original collection of poems, 48 to 96 pages.
Judge: Kim Addonizio is the author of eight poetry collections, two novels, two story collections, and two books on writing poetry:
Winner Recieves:
- $1,000.00
- Publication of winning manuscript in a paperback edition
- 25 copies of the published book (in lieu of royalties)
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According to their website, "Duotrope is an established, award-winning resource for writers and artists. We help you save time finding publishers or literary agents, so you can focus on creating. Our publication and agent listings are up to date and full of information you won't find elsewhere. We also offer submission trackers, custom searches, deadline calendars, statistical reports, and extensive interviews."
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According to their website, "For writers, getting your work published and recognized is a step toward realizing your goals as an author. However, finding the right contests or publications can be a challenging and time consuming. Authors now have the opportunity to find and submit their writing to magazines, publishers, and contests through a website called Submittable."
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According to their website, "CaFÉ strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply. CaFÉ has an open call for everyone, from competitions to public art calls, to art contests and more. Artists can create an artist portfolio for free and apply to various call listings. CaFÉ also hosts its own call for entry."
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According to their website, "For the Artist, Maker and (Forever) Inspired. Artists Network is with you every step of your art journey. Artists Network produces anywhere from three to five major events for visual art enthusiasts each year. We plan and produce different art-making getaways and retreats, art competitions, pop-up learn-ins, Paint Alongs, art talks and tours, and more in locations worldwide."
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Check out these classes and more at WAS-H!
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Check out these classes and more at Art League Houston!
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EVENT
TAL Spring Open Judged Art Show
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EVENT
HAS Spring Open Judged Art Show
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WHEN: Saturday, April 12, 2025
WHERE: Memorial Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 900 Echo Lane, Houston, TX 77024
JUDGE: Laura Spector
9 Cash Prizes!
See the Prospectus for hours and other information.
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WHEN: Classes start throughout April
WHERE: Houston Center for Photography 1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
COST: Varies per class
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Check out these classes and more at Houston Center for Photography!
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WHEN: Classes in April
WHERE: Ardest Gallery 25200 Grogan's Park Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77380
COST: Varies per class
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James is excellent at painting all types of animals, but is perhaps best known for his paintings of dogs moving in water. His paintings continue to win many awards including multiple "Best of Show" awards. He is also a sought-after painting instructor, having taught hundreds of online and in-person classes. He’s known for his positive teaching style filled with encouragement and humor. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists.
Join James in a 3-day painting workshop to explore the beauty of water and dogs. Using stunning photos of golden retrievers, Bjorn and Fenrir, as inspiration, participants will learn simple techniques to create two beautiful paintings.
The workshop will guide participants step-by-step, teaching them to capture the energy of water and the playful spirit of these furry friends. By the end, participants will have gained the skills and confidence to express their own artistic vision. Painting demos, discussions, critiques, and plenty of painting time will be provided. All necessary photos will be supplied. The workshop will be exciting, challenging with a lighthearted tone.
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WHEN: April 10-12, 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm
WHERE: Sugar Land Art Center 104 Industrial Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478
COST: $600
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Grackle and Grackle hosts creative writing classes taught by talented writers who love to teach. We work with all ages of writers.
We host weekend workshops for retreats geared toward specific kinds of writing, therapy, or outcomes; and weekly workshops in institutional or hospital settings.
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Workshops Starting in April
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WRITESPACE is Houston's writing center. Founded in April of 2014, we are a grassroots literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. At WRITESPACE, we support writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres.
We offer weekly writing workshops, manuscript consultations, write-ins, open mics, socials, and more. In the spring of each year, we host a national literary festival, Writefest.
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Exploring Science and Magic in Fiction: The Empirical, Arcane, & Amalgum
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Heroes of Memoir
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Writing from the Power of the Senses: Foodies
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Spirituality and Life Goals for Writers
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Imagery & Metaphor for Poets
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The Happy Hour: Making Yourself and Your Creative Practice a Priority
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Building a Greater Narrative for Poetry
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Villains of Memoir
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Read Like a Writer: Jhumpa Lahiri "A Temporary Matter"
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Art in the AM: Heights Sculpture Walk
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Why the Middle of Your Novel Sags
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April Community Reading
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Using Primary Resources for Memoir & Non-fiction
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Mystery-building in a Novel
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The Houston Writers Guild is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization working to create a community of writers of all skill levels. Together we strive to improve our writing craft and help each other build successful careers through education, collaborative marketing efforts, and camaraderie.
The Guild offers a myriad of programs for both published and unpublished writers. It creates opportunities to build careers through networking, as well as, opportunities for author book sales throughout the Greater Houston area and neighboring communities. The Guild is also a place for hobbyist authors to enjoy writing in a relaxed and fun environment.
Critique Group
Writer's Room - several offerings
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Inprint envisions Houston, Texas as a city where the literary arts are a defining resource. Thousands of Houstonians, recognizing the value and impact of the written word, join in Inprint programs to write, read, and support the literary arts. The community is enriched by some of the nation’s top emerging writers, who study at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program and teach at Inprint and various local community centers, schools, and universities.
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The WRITER'S LEAGUE of TEXAS (WLT) is the largest literary arts organization in Texas, a statewide nonprofit offering programs and services to writers at all stages of their writing careers, from just getting started to publication and beyond.
Founded in 1981, the organization’s mission is to provide a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; to help writers improve their craft and understand the business of publishing; to promote the interests of writers from diverse cultural, economic, sexual identity and orientation, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; and to elevate the art and enterprise of writing, including supporting and growing the Texas literary community at large.
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- “Introduction to Screenwriting: From Idea to Script” with Beverly Chukwu April 5 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
- “Writing Place: How to Make Settings Feel Alive” with Kimberly Garza April 9 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
- April Third Thursday: “Small But Mighty: Poetry, Flash, and Short Fiction” April 17 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT
- “The Camerawork of Poetry Revision” with Dr. Taylor Byas April 19 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
- “Finding Your Voice and Style” with Mac Crane April 23 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
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The International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG) is dedicated to building a worldwide community where storytelling connects, inspires, and uplifts voices across cultures. We celebrate the richness of diverse traditions, histories, and perspectives, recognizing that every writer contributes to the shared human experience.
All IWWG workshops are listed in ET (Eastern Time).
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TWO SYLVIAS PRESS is an independent press located in the Seattle area. We publish poetry, memoir, essays, books on the craft of writing, and creativity tools, such as The Poet Tarot, The Daily Poet, Everything is Writable, PR for Poets, Demystifying the Manuscript, and the bestselling resource for poets, The Weekly Muse.
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* Collaboration Catalogs Available! *
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We have another excellent collaboration on the books!
Each member who participated in the ENTANGLED Collaboration received a copy of the catalog containing all the artwork and literary pieces. Melody still has a limited supply of copies in her studio that you can purchase for $15.
In addition, you can also purchase additional copies of the REFLECTION catalog from the 2022 Collaboration for $5.
Stop by Studio 320 at Silver Street Studios to purchase additional copies of either catalog. Silver Street Studios is located in the Main Yard of Sawyer Yards. Call ahead at 713-851-0134 to ensure that she’ll be in the studio when you arrive.
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Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting events, such as field trips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities.
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Save the Date(s)
April 15th: Member Meeting. Check the WiVLA Calendar for details and updates.
April 26th: "Afternoon Art Salon" at the Jung Center for a small reception and a chance to meet the artist, our Melody Locke!
June 8th Intuitive Writing Workshop with Gwendolyn Womack
WILVA "Rise" Exhibit: July 18th - August 31st, 2025, at Sabine.
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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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