Natalie Shipula is an Air Force veteran, senior graphic designer, and multidisciplinary artist whose story is one of resilience and constant reinvention. She earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Art from Youngstown State University and her Master’s in Arts Management from the University of Oklahoma.
A serious car accident in 2019, followed by the upheaval of the pandemic, left Natalie questioning her identity as both an artist and a designer. The isolation of those years pushed her to confront childhood trauma and the lingering effects of a job that had left her confidence shaken. When she was nearly ready to give up on art entirely, an opportunity to design at Lone Star College came her way. Working with students reignited her creative spark and helped her rediscover the joy of making art.
Now, her work centers on the pursuit of happiness, beauty, and love, rather than focusing on the difficulties she faced. Through this process, Natalie began to reclaim her creative voice and sense of purpose. Today, Natalie is the Senior Graphics Designer at the HEALTH Research Institute at the University of Houston, where she focuses on bringing clarity and thoughtful storytelling to research-driven design.
She also runs her freelance studio, NShipula–Creative, and regularly shares her artwork at festivals in Houston and soon across Texas. Much of the art Natalie shares is watercolor—a medium she stumbled upon by chance while working on a design project. This took on special meaning for her when she began painting her mother’s pet chickens just before her mother passed away in 2016. Natalie painted these pieces in hopes of giving her mother something beautiful while she was in the hospital. Though her mother never got to see them, making the paintings became a meaningful and healing part of Natalie’s journey as an artist. Grounded by the discipline she learned in the military and inspired by a renewed sense of purpose, Natalie is dedicated to showing up as her most authentic self—artist, designer, and human.
Market information:
Join West Sandy Creek Winery and NShipula—Creative for their second indoor art market. Local area artists will display their work, all of which is available for purchase. View the exhibits and chat with the artists with a glass of your favorite WSCW wine in hand. This is a carefully curated show to highlight some of the most popular working artists from the Houston art festival scene.
July 11, 2026 from 12-6pm
https://www.wscwinery.com/event/art-vine-a-wscw-art-market-july-11/
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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 at literary@wivla.org or the Visual Art Chair at visual@wivla.org if you would like your time in the spotlight.
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Melody Locke was pleased to have two of her lumen prints—Tulips in the Mist and Daisy Ballet—selected for the Harris County Juried Exhibition as well. This exhibition is on view from June 1 through July 18. Join us for the reception on July 11 from 6-8 PM.
Melody will provide a short presentation during Lawndale's BIG Slide Show, an event where BIG Show artists will talk about their art. Mark your calendar for July 18, from 2-4 PM to attend this free event. The BIG Show will be on view through August 15.
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Editors have been kind to Sandi Stromberg during the month of June!
"Goodbye to Forlorn" and "Duplex: The Midnight Hour" appear on pages 145 and 146 in the just-released issue of synkroniciti, themed "Expectations." Many thanks to Katherine McDaniel, WiVLA member, and editor of this visually compelling international literary magazine fulled with images, poetry, and prose.
"All Things," appeared in the summer 2026 issue of MockingHeart Review. It's a "swollen sonnet," written on Remembrance Day (Armistice Day in the States) during a writing retreat last autumn in Ireland. https://mockingheartreview.com/volume-11-issue-2/11-2-poetry/sandi-stromberg/
"Fairy Trees" and "The artist claims: Known places will speak to you" appear in a special anthology celebrating Archway Gallery's 50th Anniversary: Archway Readers—Ekphrastic Poetry and Prose (which she also had the honor of editing).
If you'd like to hear a couple of poems from Sandi's new book, Moonlight, Shaken," click here for the Book Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvAKShgkhH4&t=14s.
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Synkroniciti's Expectations issue came out on the 15th of June and features the work of WiVLA members Sandi Stromberg, Denise Bossarte, and Abby Buchold. Abby won the cover contest with her gouache and ink creation "Learning to Fly" and there is a feature article on her for the issue which also mentions WiVLA and the importance of community for artists. Get your copy at https://synkroniciti.com/the.../purchase-individual-issues/ or subscribe at https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/subscribe/
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Cherie Acosta is thrilled that her textile works A Place Between and Unbound a Soft Awakening will be part of the Unraveling Habitats Exhibit at the Visions Museum of Textile Art in San Diego, California January 30th - May 22, 2027. The exhibit explores the fragile, shifting relationship between living beings and the environments they inhabit. This exhibition brings together works that reflect on how habitats - natural, urban, and psychological-are constructed, altered, and sometimes undone. She uses a majority of recycled, and dyed textiles to create the work.
She is also working on some pieces to be part of work done at the Texas Medical Center (TMC3) in February of 2027. This work explores the cellular level of diseases.
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Kathi Crawford’s second chapbook, running with the beasts, is available for pre-sale from June 29 to September 24, 2026, at Finishing Line Press Website: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/. The official release date is October 30, 2026.
Kathi will be hosting a launch party at Melody Locke's studio in Sawyer Yards. Registration is available on the WiVLA calendar: https://www.wivla.org/calendar-from-mw#!event/2026/7/26/running-with-the-beasts-8211-a-poetry-book-launch-1.
Event Title: running with the beasts – a poetry book launch and open mic
Event Date and Time: Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Location: Silver Street Studios at Sawyer Yards
Address: 2000 Edwards Street, Studio #320, Houston, TX 77007
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Synkroniciti is Open
for Written and Visual Art Submissions
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Announcing Synkroniciti's new theme, “Dignity,” open May 1 - July 15, 2026.
Synkroniciti invites literary, visual, and performing artists to explore the concept of dignity.
Dignity connotes a way of being full of seriousness, self‑control, and integrity—a steadiness signaling capability and self‑respect. Yet this version of dignity can also create distance, obscuring vulnerability and limiting connection.
At its most essential, dignity is far less performative: it is the quality of being worthy of honor and respect. But how do we decide who is worthy? What happens when dignity becomes entangled with status, manners, or proximity to power rather than with intrinsic human value?
We are interested in work that probes the inner landscapes of memory and imagination and the dynamics of community and individuality to reveal how we perceive dignity: how it manifests, how it falters, and how it shifts. We are especially drawn to the places where dignity diverges from power and privilege, and to the moments when dignity is withheld, restored, or reclaimed.
For this issue, we invite you to consider dignity not as a fixed ideal but as a living, evolving relationship between self and community. How do we recognize and prioritize dignity in society and how do we safeguard the dignity residing in ourselves?
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Lone Star Literary Life is your digital hub for all things Texas books. We celebrate local authors, indie bookstores, and literary events—connecting the community with compassion and a commitment to uncensored reading.
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Writing Contests, Grants & Awards
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 we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
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Literary Magazines
Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff and listed in the Literary Magazines database. Here you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, and contact information—everything you need to determine which publications match your vision for your writing and your writing life.
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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, "Since established in 2003, Smarter Entry has evolved to become one of the most comprehensive competition and call for entry management systems. Used by art groups and organizations of all sizes, this intuitive, affordable web-based software makes it easy for organizations to run regional to worldwide events. Smarter Entry is a perfect choice for sculpture and other 3D media, as well as photography and painting competitions."
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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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ALH Summer classes are opening for registration
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Check out their summer events at WAS-H!
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Location: WAS-H at 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006.
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WAL offers classes, workshops and interest groups
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CAL offers classes, workshops, group excursions and a variety of benefits for members.
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WHEN: Classes start throughout the summer
WHERE: Houston Center for Photography 1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
COST: Varies per class
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Monthly Open Mic Poetry Reading
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Inprint First Fridays Reading Series & Open Mic
First Fridays will present a monthly featured presenter, a poet of distinction and accomplishment, followed by one of Houston's premier and most attentive open mic forums.
First Fridays take place every first Friday of the month, 12 times a year, at Inprint House, 1520 West Main Street, 77006. We throw the doors open at 7:30 PM; the featured readers share wisdom and words with us at 8:00 PM, and then the open mic gets rolling at 8:30 PM, whether you're ready or not.
(Sign up to read when you arrive.)
Brazos Bookstore Friday Night Poetry Open Mic Night
Sign-ups for readers will be taken at the door starting at 6 PM and drawn from a hat starting at 6:15 PM. The rules are simple: 5 minutes or three pieces, whichever comes first! If there is spare time, we happily invite poets with more material to try out to come back and share it with us!
The reading is free and open to all: young, old, first timers, veterans, and you!
Public Poetry Second Saturday Reading Series with the Houston Public Library. Poetry comes alive the first Saturday of each month at 2 PM with readings performed by a creative mix of artists. Participants are invited to read a piece for Open Mic during featured poets intermission. Poetry readings alternate between Zoom and in-person events at various Houston libraries.
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Houston Independent Authors
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Houston Independent Authors holds their Writers Lunch series bimonthly. July's topics have yet to be announced, but you can find past recorded Writers Lunch workshops at https://www.youtube.com/@tomeworksedits
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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 Ekphrastic Review is an online journal devoted entirely to writing inspired by visual art. Our objective is to promote ekphrastic writing, promote art appreciation, and experience how the two strengthen each other and bring enrichment to every facet of life. We want to inspire more ekphrastic writing and promote the best in ekphrasis far and wide.
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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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WOW! is a global magazine designed to support women's creativity, energy, blood, sweat, and tears throughout all stages of the writing process. We envision Wow! being a favorite watering hole for professionals, the up-and-coming, and the recipients of our labors--the avid readers.
Our concept is unique, as it fills in the missing gap between writing websites and women's magazines. We are dedicated to raising the overall standards within the writing community, and devote an active profile within writing industry associations, organizations and websites.
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- Gemini Ink's writing classes are open to everyone. We provide a warm, supportive writing community for writers of all levels. Gemini Ink offers excellent, fair-cost workshops by published writers year-round.
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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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You can purchase 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.
(We are sold out of ENTANGLED catalogs in-person, but they are available for purchase on Amazon here!)
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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)
- WiVLA Book Club: Last Saturdays of the month
- Blackout Poetry Group (Online): First Fridays of the month
- July Member Meeting: July 21st, 6 pm
- Power Anthology open for submissions: until July 31st
- Collaboration Reception: August 7th
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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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