Since 1994 WiVLA has provided members and the Houston Visual and Literary Arts community with a fertile and inspiring environment to network and nurture their own creative talents. Discover how WiVLA serves and enriches its members and the greater Houston area below.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I have been a member of WiVLA since 2015. At that time, I was a new artist looking for connection with other artists. A friend told me about WiVLA and explained that artists and writers coexisted in a women-only, collaborative group. I was immediately interested and began researching when and where the next meeting would be held.
I made plans to attend, knowing I wouldn’t know anyone there. When I arrived, I was greeted by a very friendly member, Kaye McStay. We quickly discovered we had much in common in our love for the theatre. She was a playwright, and my background and education were in directing. I was warmly welcomed by everyone in the room.
Then, to my surprise, in walked a friend I had not seen in years—Jeri Phister. She and I had attended the University of Houston together while we were both pursuing our MFA degrees in Theatre. I had even directed one of the plays she wrote. Another connection had been brought back to life through WiVLA.
The topic of that evening’s meeting focused on women who had established careers in the visual and literary arts. Many of them owned and operated their own businesses. These were seasoned, accomplished, prize-winning artists. To be honest, I felt a little intimidated—but I was also deeply impressed. This was my first real exposure to women of this caliber in the arts.
In that moment, I realized I had found my tribe.
I later went on to serve on the WiVLA Board of Directors as Membership Co-Chair. When I stepped off the board, the world was suddenly hit by the pandemic. In-person meetings shifted to Zoom for around two years, and we still continue to use that platform today.
After taking a couple of years away, I returned to participate in a bi-yearly juried show. I was thrilled to be accepted and attended the reception at the Post. While there, I began a conversation with Melody Locke and learned that a friend of mine, Brooke Summers-Perry, would be the next WiVLA President. I asked if a Vice-Presidential candidate had been found. When Melody asked if I would like to submit my name, I immediately said YES!!!.
I have never looked back or had a single regret about saying that YES!!!.
I have come to love the women of WiVLA because of their intense passion for what they do. It is evident at every exhibition, reading, meeting, and celebration. I have seen firsthand that when ideas are brought forward—especially by members of the Board—these women actually implement them. They follow through.
I have never felt pressure to “perform,” nor have I felt jealousy from another member. Instead, we genuinely want to support and encourage each other in our creative endeavors.
My aim as President is not to be the power, but the empowerer. I want every member of WiVLA to have the same experience I was seeking when I first walked into that meeting—a place to find community, connection, and joy in their creative lives………A safe place to be what we all claim to be: ARTISTS!!!
CONNECTIONS
The greatest benefit of a WiVLA membership is the association with the amazing WiVLA members we get to know through our meetings and events. The members’ interests include and often overlap in multiple disciplines:
Artists who design, paint, draw, pot, sculpt, print, photograph, carve, weave, videotape, sing, dance and act. Their media include acrylics, ink, graphite, oils, watercolors, pastels, clay, wood, steel, film, software, fabric, paper, glass, gems, precious metals, words and music.
Writers who compose essays, poetry, memoirs, fiction including short stories and novels and flash fiction, non-fiction writing on all topics, technical materials, magazine and newspaper features, online articles and blogs, children’s books, plays and monologues, and critiques.
Other creatives who serve as curators, archivists, editors, historians, storytellers, directors, publishers, arts administrators and educators.
We have an active presence on social media and stay in touch with members through a monthly digital newsletter, Facebook and Instagram.
WiVLA seeks and maintains contact with a variety of artistic groups in Houston and the surrounding area.
EXHIBITIONS
WiVLA sponsors art exhibitions – with 2-D and 3-D art or in conjunction with literary and other artistic genres. See this page for exhibition notices, links to the relevant prospectus, timelines, and deadlines.
The WiVLA Collaborative Exhibitions and Literary Readings have earned notice through many years. A visual or performance artist teams up with a literary artist to produce new work based on a chosen theme.
The collaborative exhibitions may also include a video recording and the publication of art catalogs or anthologies.
These media promote and memorialize the events and become part of the WiVLA archive, which is housed in the University of Houston Special Collections.
LITERARY READINGS
Throughout its existence, WiVLA has sponsored literary readings on chosen topics. These readings sometimes accompany an art exhibition and at other times are featured as a single event.
WiVLA writers are invited to participate in the annual WiVLA Reading at our November meeting. The theme for the evening changes every year and from 10 to 13 writers can read. Other literary opportunities are available during National Poetry Month and our Haunted Holidays literary event.
Poetry, play, fiction, essay, memoir…the genre is up to the writer with a host monitoring the time allowed for each writer.
Learn more about our literary activities!
WORKSHOPS
WiVLA has a long history of sponsoring artistic and literary workshops on a variety of topics for its members and often held in conjunction with another artistic group. Workshops bring noted writers, artists, educators, experts in art management, personal growth, and business to give presentations to WiVLA’s members and guests.
ECO FUND
Educational and cultural opportunity grant
Each year since 1999, WiVLA has awarded two $1,000 Educational and Cultural Opportunity Grants (ECO Grants), one each for a writer and an artist. This means that as of 2025, WiVLA has given $54,000 to 54 members to provide support for specific projects that enhanced or will enhance the recipients' creative development. The award is selected by blind drawing from the qualified applicants at the April meeting each year.
We are very proud of the ECO Grant process and the support it has provided to so many members to pursue an artistic project or goal. An internal committee that includes Board Members and past ECO grand winners will screen all entries to ensure that applications are complete and consistent with the award's intent. Applications that fail this screening will not be included in the drawing.
To be eligible, you must have been a member for the last two consecutive years. The ECO application is available here.
Previous winners have used the award to attend classes and workshops, purchase equipment, improve their workspace, install community art, research books, travel to research sites and museums, hire an editor, attend retreats and conferences, and more. The grants have made a significant difference in the winners' artistic lives. Please don’t miss the chance to participate in the ECO Grant awards.
Contact info@wivla.org for more information.
