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Letter from the National President Sheila M. Byrnes, Winter 2024

Embracing New Opportunities

Sheila Byrnes
Sheila M. Byrnes

On September 30, the Pen Arts Building joined other art galleries, embassies, and restaurants from 7 p.m. to midnight as D.C. celebrated the diversity of the District of Columbia. This year, over 800 people visited our historic building to view art by D.C. Pen Women and to listen to awardwinning musicians Nadia Pessoa and Snehesh Nag playing sitar and harp in the Pen Arts parlor. The Pen Arts Gallery continues to be open on First Fridays and by appointment. Pen Women and local D.C. artists are represented.

Zoom has proven to be a wonderful tool for all of us. When I was unable to attend the Florida State Conference in Daytona Beach, the committee quickly organized a Zoom meeting for me to attend and speak at the closing banquet. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to speak individually with many Florida Pen Women friends.

The Biennial Committee is busy planning for the 2024 Biennial in Columbus, Ohio, April 26-28, at the historic Westin Great Southern Columbus. The Columbus Cultural Arts Center, an easy walk from the Westin, will be the venue for the Biennial art exhibit, reception, and music performance. Fifteen sessions will be geared toward art, letters, and music members. There will be the Vinnie Ream Banquet, an Art and Music Luncheon, and a Letters Luncheon.

The event chairs have secured special grants and sponsorships to enhance your experience at the Biennial. See page 5 for the proposed event schedule. The Pen Women boutique will return at the Biennial. Pen Women will have the opportunity to sell their paintings, books, and other creative items.

DC Art All Night Attendees
DC Art All Night attendees listen to a music performance at Pen Arts.
                                      Photography by Sheila M. Byrnes

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If a table is shared, each participant will need to pay $20 for all three days. See details on the registration form.

My goals for the League include creating new networking and educational opportunities for members, recording the history of the League and Pen Women, and creating new avenues of revenue growth for NLAPW. I am excited to tell you about a new competition for Pen Women that will be announced officially at the Biennial in Columbus — a cross-genre, collaborative competition. It is designed to encourage collaboration between Pen Women across genres to work with each other to complete a joint project. Competition teams may be made up of Pen Women within one branch or multiple branches. Each team will be made up of two to four Pen Women who work in different genres. All competition entries will be anonymously judged by professionals in their respective areas of concentration. Two first prizes will be awarded by judges.

It’s time to vote for the 2024 NLAPW officer candidates. Read the bios and get the ballot in the Winter 2024 issue of The Pen Woman.

See you in Columbus as we celebrate our 51st Biennial in the Arch City.


See President’s Letters Archive for past letters.