February 5, 2013 > Exhibit features local writers and artists Exhibit features local writers and artists By Carol Markos The exhibit "Art: Believe / Achieve" at the John O'Lague Galleria in the Hayward City Hall features both artist and writer members of National League of American Pen Women. The name of the group is misleading, for it includes writers, artists, and composers. Members are all professionals in their fields as a condition of belonging to the national organization. The Diablo/Alameda Branch of Pen Women includes members living from Berkeley to Brentwood and from Richmond to Union City. Several members of the group have won credentials in more than one of the arts. The show, which extends from February 1 to March 30, will include paintings, mixed media, ceramics, and installations by Natica Angilly, Kazumi Cranney, Evelyn Glaubman, Elizabeth Hack, Leona Nichandros, Dori Pendergrass, Charlotte Severin, Pallavi Sharma, and Tomye. A free public reception will be held on Friday, February 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Live music will be added to the mix, and the members will provide food for the reception table. Each of the artists will talk briefly about her own art and writer members will read short selections from their own works - poetry, fiction, and memoir. Writers include Jacqueline Doyle, Ida Mae Kempel, Doris Nikolaidis, Dori Pendergrass, KDF Reynolds, Connie Rusk, Mathilde Schmidt, and Winnie Thompson. The Pen Women was created in 1897 when three professional press writers were denied access to the Washington, D.C., Press Club - solely because they were women. Marion Longfellow, niece of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, rallied other professional women to join her in setting up a comparable organization for women artists, composers, and writers. Today the National League of American Pen Women includes more than 4,000 members across the country who meet for mutual support and inspiration. Art: Believe/Achieve Feb 1 - Mar 30 Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Reception: Friday, February 8 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. John O'Lague Galleria Hayward City Hall 777 B St., Hayward (510) 538-2787 www.haywardarts.org