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Anjali Nanda is a Houston-based contemporary artist whose work brings the rich visual traditions of India into conversation with contemporary art. Inspired by traditional Indian art forms including Madhubani, Gond, and Pichwai, she reimagines their intricate patterns, symbolism, and storytelling through a distinctive modern perspective.
Raised in India and now based in Houston, Nanda’s artistic journey is deeply connected to her cultural roots. Although her professional path initially led her into computer science, her connection to art remained constant, eventually drawing her back to a dedicated creative practice. Today, her work reflects both worlds—the precision and structure of her professional background and the intuition, storytelling, and craftsmanship rooted in her artistic heritage.
Working primarily with acrylic, ink, texture, and gold accents, Nanda creates compositions that are bold and harmonious from a distance yet reveal intricate hand-rendered details upon closer viewing. Nature is a recurring presence in her work, with trees, birds, animals, florals, and other organic forms becoming symbols of connection, resilience, abundance, belonging, and the relationship between people and the natural world.
Rather than reproducing traditional Indian art, Nanda uses its visual language as a starting point for exploration. She combines traditional motifs and techniques with contemporary compositions, allowing centuries-old artistic traditions to evolve through her own experiences and perspective as an Indian artist living in the United States.
Her work has been presented at juried exhibitions and art festivals throughout the Houston area, including Bayou City Art Festival and The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. Through her practice, Nanda seeks to create a bridge between cultures and generations—honoring where she comes from while creating work that feels distinctly her own.
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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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Denise Bossarte's found collage photograph, "Secrets," was accepted for publication with TrashLight Press in their Summer Issue - Heatwave.
Three of her abstract photographs were accepted for Synkroniciti's "Dignity” issue, debuting online September 15, 2026.
Two of her garden/landscape photographs, "Edge of Purple" and "Quiet Path" were accepted for the next issue of Belladonna’s Garden Literary Magazine.
Two of her street photographs were accepted by Bombay Gin Literary Magazine Illusion Frequency issue, Summer 2026.
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Deborah K Frontiera recently had three poems published in an anthology, "Feet in the Waves, Poems of Lake Superior," edited by Raymond Luczak. Her poems are: "Geology Lesson," "Sudden Chill," and "On Age"
authorsden.com/deborahkfrontiera
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JOIN SANDI AND REBECCA FOR A SPECIAL BOOK LAUNCH
BOOKS, BAGELS, AND BUCKS
Why: There will be books!
There will be bagels and coffee!
There will be $5 gift certificates for Basket Books & Art! ***
What: The launch of two new poetry collections from Kelsay Books
Turning the Lights Back On, by Rebecca Spears
Moonlight, Shaken, by Sandi Stromberg
With: Emcee Võ Đức Quang, Executive Director of Public Poetry
When: Sunday, September 20, 10 a.m.
Where: Basket Books & Art, 115 Hyde Park Blvd, Houston 77006
*** Thanks to a generous donor, every attendee will receive a $5 gift certificate for Basket Books & Art in honor of this indie bookshop that prioritizes literature and art!
Both books have 2-minute videos that you give you the flavor of their poetry.
Rebecca A. Spears
Turning the Lights Back On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u8AufOwiP0
Sandi Stromberg, poet, editor
Moonlight, Shaken (Kelsay Books, 2026)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvAKShgkhH4
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Laura Peña has 10 prose poems up now at https://www.themackinaw.net/.
Many of these poems are ekphrastic and have been published at the Ekphrastic Review.
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Synkroniciti and Rhapsode Guild presented poets Sandi Stromberg, John Milkereit, Kathi Crawford, Varsha Saraiya-Shah and Katherine McDaniel, with cellists Daniel Saenz and Adrian Tellez performing duets composed by Brian Herrington, Stephen Yip, and George Heathco on Sunday, August 16 at Archway Gallery in celebration of Lisette McClung’s “Road Trip” exhibition. The readings, music and artwork combined to provide a transcendent experience that was luminous, expressive and whimsical. We are so excited to support local writers, musicians and artists and look forward to more collaborations with Rhapsode Guild in the future.
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Shirley Beyer’s artwork, “Busy City at Sunset,” Melody Locke's silver gelatin print "Rush Hour," Liz Plaster's artwork "We All Belong at the Table," and Deborah Ellington's work "Boating Along the Bayou" have been juried into the HEART of Houston show at Winter Street Studios. The show opens on August 29 and the reception is September 10 from 5:00-8:00 pm. The show closes October 31.
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Two of Archway Gallery artist Robin Beckwith’s digital prints were selected to participate in the Royal Society of Printmakers’ juried exhibition, Small But Mighty: “Cinderella Inherits the Kingdom” and “Liminal Cityscape.” The show runs from September 17 to 27, 2026, at Bankside Gallery, located in London, UK. It showcases all forms of printmaking and highlights works created on a small scale by artists from all over the world. Originally known as the Society of Painter-Etchers, the Royal Society of Printmakers was founded in 1880, changing its name most recently in 2026 to embrace a broader range of printmaking practices. Further information about the organization and exhibition can be found at www.re-printmakers.com.
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Jamie Frontiera was invited to participate in The Sanctuary for the Arts' 10 year anniversary night from Webster Presbyterian for her "Joyful Dance" Sculpture. That event is September 11th
Her "Koi Fish Pond" relief carving was accepted in The Silos "An Artist's Work" show that runs from Sept 5th - Nov 7th @ the Silos.
And her "Knowledge is Bliss" relief carving was chosen to be in the upcoming Synkroniciti "Dignity" issue.
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Shirley Beyer, Brenda Bowman and Susan Salter, aka, THREE, are thrilled to be represented by 2tiny Gallery, a new gallery at 204 S. Park Street in Brenham, TX. The grand opening is September 4 and will run through Labor Day weekend. Please plan a day trip to Brenham to see the works of the nine artists who are showing there!
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Liz Plaster is proud to share "Always Watching" has been selected for the Houston MFA Glassell Studio Exhibit of Patrick Palmer students over the years. The exhibit is called "Put a Bird on it!"
This show is in conjunction with Patrick Palmer's exhibition "Imagined Ancestors."
These exhibits will be on view at MFA Glassell School of Art August 22-October 4.
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Kathi Crawford held a book launch and open mic at Silver Street Studios hosted by Melody Locke for her new chapbook, running with the beasts. You can watch the recap reel here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-U_Zap47YZs or view the full event video here: https://youtu.be/ZLEImuHM8PA.
Many of our WiVLA members shared a poem during the open mic, including Denise Bossarte, Margo Stutts Toombs, Katherine McDaniel, Celeste Budwit-Hunter, Abby Kesington, and Kelly Ellis.
Kathi is thrilled to share her collage, Strings, won Synkroniciti’s Dignity Cover Art Contest. You can read the Editor's write-up here: Strings by Kathi Crawford wins Synkroniciti’s Dignity Cover Art Contest – synkroniciti. This issue launches in September and will be available for download.
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Sarah Jacobs is excited to announce her very first solo exhibition as an artist who just started her career in January. As a new member of WIVLA, the opportunities and early on support have been wonderful.
Here is a link to her artist statement for this new body of work. She is showing at Sweeney Co. Art Advisors in the Vail Valley of Colorado. Learn more here.
Below is one work titled Can You See Me.
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Margo Toombs has a video in the REELpoetry film festival September 20 during the 3:30 section af the MATCH - learn more here!
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Synkroniciti is Open
for Written and Visual Art Submissions
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Synkroniciti invites literary, visual, and performing artists to explore the concept of technology.
Technology is more than inventions and gadgetry; it is a growing architecture that shapes how we imagine, create, and connect. It builds new structures around our lives—some supportive, some restrictive—and invites us to navigate spaces that are constantly being redesigned.
It can illuminate hidden worlds, extend our senses, and open pathways to collaboration across distance and difference. At the same time, it can overwhelm, isolate, and erode the very qualities that make us human.
We are drawn to work that investigates the paradoxes of technological life: the exhilaration of discovery alongside the fatigue of constant innovation, the intimacy of digital community alongside the fragility of privacy, the promise of empowerment alongside the risk of exploitation.
For this issue, we invite you to consider technology as both mirror and catalyst. How does it reflect our desires and fears? How does it transform our relationships with memory, imagination, and one another? What new myths and metaphors emerge from our entanglement with machines, networks, and code?
We seek art that questions, celebrates, critiques, and reimagines technology—not as a monolith, but as shifting terrain where creativity and caution must coexist.
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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 upcoming 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. August'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
- Creative Play Member Retreat: September 11-13th
- September Member Meeting: September 15th, 6 pm
- Haunted Holidays: November 13th, 6 pm
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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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