Meet Vivian’s friends and family, the artists and organizations she loves and recommends. These are her “moonlight conspirators, a pajama wearing cabal” who are helping her “start a love revolution.”
Every journey has a first step…
Having received as many accolades as an artist can hope to garner, Yoria’s travels and postal codes have shaped him into one of the most diverse and modern day balladeers you can have the pleasure of hearing. With the ability to tell a tale and write a hook, it’s no wonder that Yoria has had his music used in television and film more than places he’s called home.
Write About Now is the preferred destination of poetry for thousands of individuals living in Houston and beyond each year. Our poetry events have become a bucket list stop for poetry lovers who drive and fly from across the country to attend our shows every single week. In 2023, we were awarded the title of “Best Open Mic” in the country by the National Spoken Word Awards.
Vivian frequently performs her poetry at Write About Now events.
Heidi Vaughan Fine Art is an art gallery, art advisory, and art consulting firm located at 3510 Lake Street at Colquitt in the Upper Kirby district, home to Houston’s oldest Gallery Row. HVFA advises on all aspects of art collecting, including sales, the creation of cohesive collections, valuation, authentication, conservation, framing, installation, display, shipping, storage, deaccessioning, and liquidation.
Vivian’s first exhibition is slated for May 16 – June 20, 2026 at Heidi Vaughan Fine Art.
Writespace is Houston’s writing center. Founded in April of 2014, we are a grassroots literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. At Writespace, we support writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres. Through our weekly writing workshops led by some of Houston’s finest writing teachers, we seek to give writers who can’t afford to earn an MFA in Creative Writing the same high-quality training and mentorship opportunities available through MFA programs.
A global convener of changemakers, building a better world. The Aspen Institute We convene diverse voices to explore complex challenges and spark ideas and foster relationships that lead to real-world impact.
Vivian serves on the national council of the Aspen Institute, and participates in annual residencies.
MEET ASPEN INSTITUTE
Anderson Ranch Arts Center’s mission is to foster transformative educational experiences and community, embracing traditional and contemporary art making on our vibrant Rocky Mountain campus. Founded in 1966, Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a premier destination for art making and critical dialogue, bringing together aspiring and internationally renowned artists to discuss and further their work in a stimulating environment.
Vivian serves on the national council of Anderson Ranch.
MEET ANDERSON RANCH
The Silos at Sawyer Yards is approximately 80,000 square feet of private art studios and creative flex space developed by the Deal Company in 2015. Once the Riviana Rice packaging plant, The Silos is now home to approximately 120 established and emerging artists, arts groups, and creative entrepreneurs. In addition to rotating art exhibitions and public programs throughout the year, resident artists welcome the public into their studios on the second Saturday of each month. The Silos is also home to SITE Gallery, a site-specific alternative art space housed in the base of the iconic old rice silos. 34 round concrete chambers intersect to form SITE’s 9,000 square foot “honeycomb” footprint.
Vivian keeps a studio at The Silos at Sawyer Yards.
MEET THE SILOS AT SAWYER YARDS
Marie was born in the midwest and fell in love with the huge vistas of the farmlands near her hometown of Davenport, Iowa. Her love of art led her to NYC where she studied at The Art Students League and then Italy where she studied History of Art as well as Studio Art. Marie has studied with Joe Anna Arnett, Sherrie McGraw, Gregg Kreutz, Nancy Bush, Michael Workman and most recently with Kathleen Dunphy.
Oh, and Maria is Vivian’s mother.
In 1983, Michele Granit pursued her passion for art and design when she opened Village Frame Gallery. She has been working with residential and corporate clients in the Houston area for 39 years. Her mission has always been the same: to sell high quality frames, preserve artwork to museum standards, and to provide excellent customer service.
SLOAN/HALL is a multi-category lifestyle store with locations in San Antonio and Houston, Texas. They carry thoughtfully curated home accessories, candles, bath products, books, fine jewelry, fashion and a more! “Our goal is to provide a constant rotation of inventory so that guests are treated to something new on each visit,” said co-owner Shannon Hall. “We want to discover the most beautiful designs in the world and present them in a way that’s un-intimidating and easily approachable.”
Sloan/Hall carries some of Vivian’s art, and she is pleased to count owners Marcus Sloan and Shannon Hall among her dear friends.
Fresh Arts envisions Houston as a place where artists and communities thrive together. With a mission is to empower local artists through programs that build knowledge, amplify local resources, and connect communities through art, Fresh Arts hosts professional development workshops and networking events for the creative community, serves as a Model C fiscal sponsor for art projects throughout Houston, and provides access to hyper-local resources to support artists and collectives in their creative endeavors.