​​Merge is the thought-child of artists Holly Lyn Walrath and Leslie Archibald. It's a space to explore the merging of minds and the merging of arts of all kinds. Merge hosts monthly workshops and creative experiences in the heart of Houston, Texas.

About the Artists

Holly Lyn Walrath

I'm Holly and I'm a narrative artist. I host workshops that blend the creative arts: from writing to painting to craft to photography and more. As a creative magpie, I collect words and mash them up with other creative ventures, exploring the juxtaposition of words and art. My workshops are a safe place to play, try new things, and tap into your creative energy.

My writing has appeared in Strange Horizons, Fireside Fiction, Analog, and Flash Fiction Online. I am the author of several books of poetry, including Glimmerglass Girl, The Smallest of Bones, and Numinous Stones. My art has been featured in exhibitions such as Color:Story, Eastext, Texas Vignette, Sabine Street Studios, and Round Rock Arts. I have a B.A. in English from the University of Texas and a Master's in Creative Writing from the University of Denver. I am the Managing Editor of Interstellar Flight Press, an indie SFFH publisher dedicated to publishing underrepresented genres and voices. I'm also a freelance editor with over ten years experience working with published authors.

Leslie Archibald

I'm Leslie and I'm a writer, photographer, and watercolor artist. I've been a longtime volunteer and organizer in the Houston writing community. I've always had an interest in photography and have taken courses at Houston Center for Photography. In 2023, I began experimenting with the merging of photography and watercolor painting. After several tries and ruined photographs, I found the right printer and the patience to create my "merged" series.

My work has appeared in Interstellar Flight Press, Spider Road Press, Synkroniciti, Color:Story, and Sabine Street Studios. My latest chapbook, Poems for a Broken (Marriage) Man is available from Finishing Line Press.

MERGE Art Studio Policies:

Merge aims to provide a safe and respectful atmosphere for creatives of all genres. Please read our policies below.

Attendance and Registration

To register for our Events, sign up via our Eventbrite listings. After you have registered, Eventbrite will send you a confirmation. A few days before the event, you will receive an email from the instructor with more details on our location, parking, and other details.

Age Requirements

There is no set age for attendees, but some of our events are meant for adults only and will be marked as such.

Code of Conduct

Merge is dedicated to providing a creative space that is characterized by courtesy and respect for all instructors, students, staff, and visitors. We strictly prohibit harassment of any kind, including sexual, physical, or verbal. We also prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Any behavior that may damage the art, walls, or larger Deutser studio space is prohibited. We reserve the right to ask anyone who violates these guidelines to leave and not return.

Refunds

We allow workshop refunds up to 7 days before the workshop begins. This gives us time to prepare the space and materials for the workshop. Refund requests are handled automatically via Eventbrite. We specially curate each session we host, and this policy helps us keep our doors open as a small, artist-run art studio.

Group Events

We limit ticket orders to two tickets at a time. We are a small artists' studio and can only accommodate ten people at a time. For group orders, please contact hlwalrath [at] gmail [dot] com. We are always happy to accommodate, but we have limited space. We can also create custom events for groups.