About WITA (aka “Circe”)
The Women in the Arts Festival (WITA) is a celebration of regional women artists that takes place during the second weekend of November each year in East Lansing, Michigan.
The festival begins on Friday evening with dinner at the Sistrum Café, shopping in the Artist Market and a concert event. We gather again on Saturday morning for more music, workshops, poetry, shopping, dining and socializing into the evening. Some years, including this year, we have a Saturday evening concert as well.
This festival is an important commitment women make each year to renew our support for women artists and musicians.
WITA is a volunteer-run organization with a commitment to supporting women in their creative pursuits and the goal of creating space for women to showcase their talents.
Behind the Scenes – The WITA Organizing Committee
A small team of volunteer community-lovin’ go-getters gather around a table throughout the year to make this magic happen.
- Alicia Bleil — Technical set up aficionado
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Liz Coburn — Utility infielder
- Susan Frazier – Purveyor of performances and PR maven
- Julie Haan – Chief cat herder and connector of dots
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Tari Griffin-Muñiz – Emcee celesbian
- Val Osowski – Ad sales wrangler and WITA scribe
- Kate Peterson — WITA website diva and print design goddess
- Abby Wattenberg – Artist Market empress and ring leader
Silent & Online Auction
This year we will be offering a limited auction online as well as a Saturday silent auction at the festival.
Online Auction hours:
Opens: Nov.4 at Noon
Closes: Nov 11, 1:00 PM
Bid on fantastic merchandise generously donated by festival artists and area businesses.
All proceeds support Women in the Arts.
Note: From the Bidding Owl site, click the green button to view items.
American Sign Language Interpretation
There is a deep-rooted connection between Women’s Music and ASL interpretation. WITA is committed to accessibility for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. All stage events will be ASL interpreted.
2022 Interpreters

Katie Franklin

Mieken VanderWaerden
Mieken VanderWaerden free-lance interprets ASL throughout Michigan. She was trained as a Music Therapist and loves to interpret music performances. This summer she enjoyed interpreting at Big Mouth Girl. She worked at Community Mental Health for many years and then the Lansing School District. She is also an adjunct faculty in Lansing Community College’s sign language program. She is happy to be part of WITA for the fi rst time. Contact her at mieken@juno.com.