Biennial Collaboration

Women in the Visual and Literary Arts is known for its collaborations. As a group of creative women, we find tremendous challenge and joy in working to build a fresh product that comes from creatives working together. The resulting synergy is more than the sum of its parts. Since 1994, WiVLA has held a collaboration almost every other year. Members eagerly anticipate the project and enjoy the process.

Every other year, WiVLA’s board selects a theme, and its members form collaborative partnerships of two or three artists, with each partner from a different creative discipline – one literary and one visual, for example. Together they explore the ideas and concepts behind the theme and agree upon a direction for the partnership to take to express their interpretation of the theme. Then each partner, in her own way, creates an individual work. Next, over the course of multiple meetings, the partners discuss each other’s work so that each piece within the partnership evolves together towards a cohesive, unified whole.

Partners find each other in various ways: a speed-dating meeting, gatherings to meet fellow members, and even a few “blind dates.” Some members found themselves intrigued by women they knew only by name. Others were captivated by new sides of members they already counted as friends. Long-time members paired with brand new members. New members summoned up the courage to work with someone unknown. Many members picked partners they didn’t know well to see where the challenge of the current theme would take them.

2024 Collaboration

The theme for the 2024 Collaboration is ENTANGLED. Because of the time involved in planning and executing the collaborative pieces, now is a good time to start finding a partner. Please take advantage of our member directory on the WiVLA website to find your co-collaborator.

ENTANGLED embodies a multifaceted concept that can encompass various dimensions of complexity, connection, and involvement. It can describe a state of being intricately interwoven or interconnected, whether in relationships, systems, or ideas. It might suggest a complex web of emotions, thoughts, or events that are deeply intertwined, potentially leading to confusion or conflict. Metaphorically, it could signify being caught up in a difficult situation or being ensnared by circumstances beyond one's control. Alternatively, "entangled" might evoke imagery of being immersed in a rich and intricate tapestry of experiences, where every thread contributes to the overall pattern of existence. It could also convey a sense of being deeply involved or invested in something, whether positively or negatively.

As soon as you find a partner, register your collaboration partnership. When registering, choose one partner to pay, either by credit card or check. Although you will be asked for your initial plan, your initial thoughts are not binding. The names of registered partnerships will appear on this page.

 

Registered Collaboration Partners

  • Melody Locke, Gwendolyn Womack

  • Susan Salter, Celeste Budwit-Hunter

  • Brooke Summers-Perry, Kathi Crawford

  • Deborah Ellington, Ellen Seaton

  • Donna Perkins, Margo Stutts Toombs

  • Gail Plunkett, Sherry Ward

  • Shirley Beyer, Ann Leis

  • MJ (Mary Jane) Figard, Kay McStay

  • Jean King, Rebecca Chirak

  • Kelley Porter, Gladys Mae Bullock

  • Gretchen McDaniel, Darlene Khosrowpour

  • Melissa Chambers, Mary Jane White

  • Marie Casamayor-Harvey, Deborah Frontiera

  • Ruby R Scott, Gabrielle Langley