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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 at Edgewood United Church, 469 N Hagadorn Rd, in East Lansing, Michigan. It is organized by Women in the Arts, Inc, a 501(c)(3).

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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 performance 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 Board

    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

    • Liz Coburn — Utility infielder

    • Susan Frazier – Purveyor of performances and PR maven
    • Julie Haan (Treasurer) – Chief cat herder and connector of dots

    • Tari Griffin-Muñiz (Vice President) – Emcee celesbian

    • Val Osowski (Secretary) – Ad sales wrangler and WITA scribe
    • Kate Peterson – WITA website diva and print design goddess
    • Abby Wattenberg (President) – 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.3 at Noon
      Closes: Nov 10, 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.

      Check back here in November for the Auction link. 

      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

          Katie Franklin

          Katie is a local ASL interpreter who specializes in video relay and performance interpreting. She also teaches ASL at a local high school. She has interpreted at WITA with Sistrum chorus previously and is excited to be back interpreting for this collection of women artists. Contact her at katie.franklin91@gmail.com

           

          Mieken VanderWaerden

          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.

          Covid Policy

          The Women in the Arts committee is tracking up-to-date COVID-19 Community Levels as calculated by CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/…/your-health/covid-by-county.html). Based on our current Community Level, we are not requiring masks or proof of vaccination/booster. CDC recommends: “People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.” Our preference would be that anyone with known recent exposure and/or symptoms take a rapid test before coming to WITA and consider staying home.
           
          In short, we are not requiring masking, but support anyone who chooses to wear one. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available on-site. We have hired a janitorial crew to regularly clean high contact areas throughout the event.