“Writing is the painting of words,” French visual artist Ben Vautier once said.

The local branch of the National League of American Pen Women decided that he was on to something, so they created one of their most anticipated programs of the year, “Painted Sounds.”

Pen Women members are qualified to join based on professional work they have done in their field. Membership is under Letters (writers), Art (artists) or Music (musicians).

The last meeting of the season, “Painted Sounds,” brought together two talents — artists and writers — for a unique and thoroughly enjoyable program. Artists showcased their work on the Pen Women website. Writers selected one of the artist’s works that inspired them to write an essay or story. At the May meeting, authors and artist came together. As the artist’s work was displayed on a screen, the author read the work the painting inspired.

Those participating were author Judy Fabris, who wrote for the work of artist Janet Borahas; author Kathy Bjork, who wrote for the work of artist Michelle Coonan; Cheryl Heineman, who wrote for artist Connie Collins; Janet Dagley, who wrote for artist Julie Sexton; Rosanna Tithof, who wrote for artist Kat Weyer; Donna Weeks, who wrote for artist Vera Knowles; Shauna Judnich, who wrote for artist Laura Biscaro; Donna Fitzgerald, who wrote for artist Nancy Frye; and Joanne Hardy, who wrote for artist Joan Ryan.

Artists also participating were Tony Parr, Kate Kleher, Diana Schoenrock and Connie Zane. Some artists were from the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society.

The National League of American Pen Women began in 1897, when three women journalists who worked at a Washington, D.C. newspaper were not given the most substantive assignments and were barred from the male-only press club. They formed a professional press union for female journalists.

The nonprofit’s outgoing president Kathy Bjork was thanked for her work. Incoming president Janet Dagley has the unusual distinction of holding membership under both Letters and Music.

For more information on the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, visit cvws.org. For more on the National League of American Pen Women, email pspenwomen@gmail.com.

Joanne Hardy, a teacher with a yen to write (especially historical fiction) has published three novels, the first set during the Civil War, the second, during the Great Depression and most recently, “Abandoned,” a story about the rise of the railroad era, the Civil War and the Women’s Suffragette movement. A desert resident since 1958, she has reported for the Desert Scene for 15 years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: National League of American Pen Women present ‘Painted Sounds’ event

Reporting by Joanne Hardy, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

By Joanne Hardy, Special to The Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network