WCA’s virtual offerings continue to flourish

By Emily Berkowitz, Coordinator-at-large

Imagine a cornucopia filled, not with an abundance of fall vegetables, but rather, overflowing with classes and programs. Now, you have a sense of all WCA has to offer virtually. This month, we continue to describe more of these courses, led by WCA members, which have successfully pivoted to Zoom during the pandemic.

Couples group

Meeting new couples and socializing are the focus of WCA’s wildly popular Couples group. COVID-19 initially made the group’s activities nearly impossible, yet, Coordinator Phyllis Strome inventively found online ways for couples to mix and mingle, as they did for the December Chanukah event.

There’s much more planned, too. On April 1, for instance, Gail Nizin is organizing an April Fool’s virtual storytelling event. Each couple will relate a short tale with the theme of “Unexpected Consequences.” Afterward, other couples will vote on whether it was an April Fool’s/ false story or a true one. Whether fact or fiction, it sounds like great fun!

Contemporary Short Stories group

Members seeking more fictional tales should join the Contemporary Short Stories group. Initially led by Linda Hertzberg, it’s now coordinated by Terri Kline, who mentioned that participants have been enchanted by stories from Edith Pearlman’s “Binocular Visions.” Currently, they are enjoying “The Best Short Stories of the Century,” edited by John Updike.

While Kline feels nothing beats faceto-face meetings for the exchange of ideas and enthusiasm as well as the camaraderie that develops, she says, “I feel very blessed that we have Zoom technology so we can share and explore our wonderful stories.”

Writing groups

Many WCA members are eager to write stories of their own, and they have at least two such groups in which to participate: Memoir Writing and Creative Writing.

Judith Huizenga, the Memoir Writing group facilitator, explains that writers join with different goals in mind; some want to leave a legacy for their family, while for others, it’s the opportunity to reflect on aspects of their lives, like parenting.

WCA member Leslie Feldman created this lovely landscape in Bronia Ichel’s art class.

The classes are taught by professional writer, Lisa Wroble.

Huizenga explains the process, “We read our memoirs aloud in class. Wroble and classmates comment on each author’s writing. Wroble stresses what she values and gently suggests improvements.”

With virtual meetings, Wroble can now share the text, online, as the author reads. “The members, having the material, can offer more specific ideas for improvement,” says Huizenga.

Creative Writing group

Iris Shur, facilitator of the Creative Writing group, has found similar benefits to Zoom, chief among them, the opportunity for writers to participate regardless of their location, and the ease of meeting from home. The group has continued monthly for the last five years. Shur’s boundless creativity has led to a new endeavor, WCA Words, an online literary journal for WCA members to publish their work.

Art gallery tours

Art — learning about and creating it — is of tremendous interest to WCA members, too. Interest has flourished virtually during the pandemic. Art gallery tours have been coordinated by Judit Price for six years. She organizes artists’ presentations, as well as gallery and studio visits.

Linda Wertheim, WCA member, drew this impressive portrait of Einstein in Nancy Suslov’s class.

While she feels, “Zoom doesn’t take the place of visiting an art studio in person,” Price has expanded this year’s events from 5 to 7.

“Because of the pandemic, I thought women could use more beauty in their lives,” she explains.

Doubtful at first if this could be effective online, she now says, “People are signing up to participate … and listen to artists talk about their amazing work.”

Painting instruction

One such artist is Bronia Ichel, who offered painting instruction as part of WCA’s Live Painting via Zoom. With a camera tripod and special attachment, Ichel demonstrates painting techniques and offers guidance to participants. Zoom’s screen sharing is another helpful tool in teaching painting.

An added benefit? On Zoom, “We don’t need to wear masks and can see everyone’s smile,” Ichel says.

Charcoal portrait drawing

WCA members also learned charcoal portrait drawing from artist and instructor, Nancy Suslov. In two, two-hour classes, students created portraits of Dr. Albert Einstein, with outstanding results. Though it was more difficult for Suslov to help students during the Zoom classes, she problem-solved inventively.

“I gave detailed individualized critiques and suggestions for each piece of work submitted to me between the two classes and afterwards,” Suslov explains.

It was so successful, it enabled one student to discover her own talent, telling Suslov, “she never knew she could draw. The class was a gift.”

Mental and emotional health

Especially important during the pandemic is the psychological state of members, and WCA has a group for that: Mental and Emotional Health. Jackie Sallade, who has a doctorate in psychology, addresses topics like depression, anxiety, dreams and relationships in this discussion group. Though not therapy, Sallade offers information and ideas, then leads the conversations.

While there seemed to be more intimacy and bonding when it was in person, “Zoom has enabled more people to participate from different locations,” Sallade says. “I found the women eager to discuss [topics] in depth … it can be helpful to everyone.”

The ability to offer creative classes and intellectually enriching, health-promoting courses and social opportunities virtually during the pandemic has been immensely nourishing to WCA members. Whether participant or facilitator, members have devotedly shared their creativity, talents and friendship to enrich the entire WCA community.