February, 2026

“I can become obsessed with every mark and brushstroke on the canvas. As if every mark is a note of music and they all have to come together to be coherent, like a symphonic composition – and then it will sing the song I want to sing.” – Suzy Murphy

Greenwich Pen Women, a branch of the National League of American Pen Women is a non-profit organization of women artists, writers, and musicians. We offer mutual support and exchange of ideas to encourage and inspire excellence in original creative work.

Brrrrr! As I am writing this, we are getting hit with a big snowstorm along with some frigid cold temperatures. I can’t wait to see the beauty the snow brings and hopefully do some snowshoeing!
As part of us getting through our winter doldrums, I’ve enjoyed hosting monthly dinners with our GPW Leadership team to discuss the future offerings for our branch. As we celebrate our continued growth, we are reviewing more ways we can better serve our members. If January was our month of “renewal” and setting our “Foundation of Intent,” February is the month where we begin to breathe life into those intentions. In other words, we keep striving!

While the winter landscape outside may seem cold and unpredictable, I know that within our sisterhood, there is constant activity as we move deeper into our creative year.
I mentioned last month that my two words for this year are Cultivating and Connection. To cultivate is to tend to our craft with the same diligence we saw represented in our Holiday Luncheon PowerPoint presentations. Whether you are mid-manuscript, halfway through a canvas, or composing a new score, this month is about nurturing that growth.

We are also “cultivating” the organization itself by getting back to an intentional online social media presence. Shout out to Lisa D’Amico for stepping up to help with this initiative! Stay tuned!!
We all know, we do not cultivate in a vacuum. Our connection to one another—the teamwork, encouragement, and support—is what turns our individual dreams into a collective reality. It is the feedback in our critique groups and the shared joy in our successes that keep our momentum moving “Onward and Upward.”

To deepen our connection this winter, I am excited to announce a Call for Artwork for our GPW Online Art Share Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:30 pm! Let’s gather via Zoom for a virtual art show where we can step into each other’s creative worlds through art.

• We are opening this call for 20 artists or pieces.
• Each member will have 1-3 minutes to share about their work and process.
• This is a wonderful way to showcase what you’ve been cultivating in your studios and hear about your inspiration.

I look forward to seeing the artwork!! Please note that this is an opportunity for all members to join this time of supporting Greenwich Pen Women. (Watch for a separate email with Zoom link and where to send jpeg of artwork) or check our calendar!

It’s exciting seeing our Pen Women in their various communities “doing their thing.” For instance, I enjoyed seeing our member Andrea Pettite leading an Open Mic at the Norwalk Library this month, Marla Chisholm organized a memorable MLK event in New Canaan, Diane Morello participated in a show in Port Chester, Barbara Ehrentreu read her poem at The Art Monster Studio.  Be sure to check our calendar online to see where our members are sharing their work.

In that same spirit of community, our circle has expanded once again! I am thrilled to announce that we have officially welcomed our newest member, Jani Caroli! Your presence strengthens our mission, and we are so glad you are here.

I also want to mention that I registered to join with other Pen Women across the country for our 2026 Biennial in Washington DC, April 24-26. It’s not too late to register if you would like to join me in DC! Go to nlapw.org to get more information.

As we navigate the snow and the “waiting” of mid-winter, let’s keep leaning into one another. Thank you for being such an inspirational and supportive community.

Onward and upward

Adrienne

Adrienne Reedy. President

While it’s always lovely to meet a new Pen Woman, you don’t have to be a new member to be in the Spotlight. If you attend our events and people are hard-pressed to recognize you,  perhaps it’s time to appear in the Spotlight!  As we all grow and it could be fun to hear what new paths you are pursuing.