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Quarterly Newsletter Archive
Browse current and past issues of our quarterly member newsletter for highlights, event recaps, and updates from the San Francisco Advocacy for NMWA.

W2W Artist Nicki Green - Hybrid Vessel 3 (with mishkah and trans semiotics, blue/green), 2024
Fall 2025 - Member Update
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Thanks to everyone who participated in our Annual Member Meeting on September 11th. It has been a very eventful year for our SFA group with excellent programming provided by our events committee and the astounding success of our signature Reunited exhibition and catalogue for our twelve “Women to Watch” artists. As summer is behind us and we head into fall, you will be receiving invitations for several exceptional events between now and the end of the year that we hope you will be able to attend (details below).
From a philanthropic standpoint, we would like to carry on our tradition of purchasing the art of our “Women to Watch” artists for NMWA. It is one of the best ways we can think of to assist our artists while helping the museum build its collection. Kathryn Wat and the curators at NMWA have selected a piece by Nicki Green, Hybrid Vessel 3 (with mishkah and trans semiotics, blue/green), 2024, for their collection. A photo from the Reunited exhibition is above for your convenience. $8,500 has been raised through generous gifts by Lisa Lubliner, Robin Laub, Lorna Meyer Calas, Ellen Drew, and Tara Rudman. $3,500 is still needed. If you are interested in supporting this purchase, please contact sf.nmwa@gmail.com. Otherwise, the remaining funds will come from our member dues. Please let me know if you are NOT in favor of this donation of Nicki’s work to the museum. Your support is very much appreciated.
If you haven’t had the chance to pick up your Reunited catalogue, please email Jaime Austin, one catalogue was set aside for each member. She plans to bring copies to upcoming events. We look forward to kicking off the Women to Watch 2027 planning cycle and the exciting opportunity to support three women artists based in Northern California working in the medium of Book Arts.
NMWA News
Quarterly Newsletter Archive
Women to Watch 2027 Exhibition Dates Have Been Set!
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April 3 - August 15, 2027 / NMWA
Women to Watch 2027: A Book Arts Revolution is a dynamic exploration of contemporary artists’ books, works of art in book form. The exhibition encourages audiences to rethink the nature of book arts, featuring works that incorporate a wide variety of materials and formats. This is the latest edition of the museum’s hallmark exhibition series highlighting national and international artists at key stages in their careers. The series is developed through a unique collaboration between the museum and its global network of outreach committees (like us!).
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Exhibition “Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection”
travels to NMWA in 2026
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In January 2025, SFA NMWA members gathered at BAMPFA to experience a personal tour of this exhibition led by collector Komal Shah. Featuring women artists working across mediums, scales, styles, and decades, the exhibition is being adapted to travel to NMWA in February 2026. Lucy Buchanan, Chief Development Consultant at NMWA, extended a personal invitation to members to attend, more information forthcoming.
Recommended Events
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Laura Plageman: Reverse of a Ruin
Fourth Wall Gallery
Through November 1
Artist Reception on Saturday, Sep 20, 2-5pm
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Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California
BAMPFA
Through November 30
Artists’ Conversation: Quilts as Legacy and Living Practice on
Sep 20 at 1pm
featuring WtW ‘24 artist Adia Millett
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Julia Goodman: Unimaginable Units of Time
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
Through November 30
featuring WtW ‘20 artist Julia Goodman
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Member Spotlight: Kimberlee Swig
Kimberlee (Kim) Swig was born and raised in New Orleans as one of six children in a close-knit family. After her mother passed away when Kim was 11, she stepped into a caretaking role at a young age. After graduating from Loyola University, she began working at a travel agency, where she developed a deep love for exploring the world.
Her professional journey led her to a sales role at the Fairmont New Orleans, and in 1989 she moved to San Francisco to become Director of Sales at the Fairmont there. It was also at the Fairmont where she met her future husband. They married in September 1990 and had three daughters, all now grown and living in San Francisco. Kim currently lives on the Peninsula. Her husband passed away in 2000.​

Her involvement with the San Francisco Advocacy for the National Museum of Women in the Arts (SFA for NMWA) began when Lorna Meyer Calas invited her to join the founding board. Kim was drawn to the mission because of her strong interest in education and women’s issues, and she has brought great value to theorganization through her marketing expertise. As an early member, Kim discovered a growing passion for art and was particularly struck by the lack of opportunities afforded to women compared to men in the art world. Over time, she has become an avid supporter of women artists, collecting works by WtW artists Julia Goodman, Davina Semo, and Amy Tavern. She is especially drawn to the work of Southern California-based artist Pae White, who works in ceramics and a variety of media.
​As a mother of three daughters, Kim feels deep frustration that women continue to fight for equality in the workplace. Having faced sexism herself early in her career, she learned to stand up for herself—and she brings that same passion to supporting women in the arts.
Kim has also been a dedicated supporter of education. She has funded scholarships at her daughters’ high school and at three colleges, and she is particularly proud of supporting four-year scholarships for students at Eastside Prep in East Palo Alto—a school that provides transformative opportunities for first-generation students. Kim also served on the board of the California College of the Arts for six years, co-chairing the annual gala to raise funds for student scholarships.
In addition to education, she supports organizations close to her heart, including Make-A-Wish—out of gratitude for her daughters' health—and several melanoma research programs. Kim values time and shared experiences above all else, focusing on creating meaningful memories. She is currently fulfilling a travel bucket list she began at age 20, often exploring the world with her daughters and sisters by her side.
Kim is inspired by the growth and impact of the SFA for NMWA under Lorna’s leadership. She enjoys not only the opportunity to support talented local women artists but also the camaraderie and shared love of art that the group has cultivated.
Interested in being featured in a future member spotlight? Please contact member Mary Mocas to learn more.
Interested in getting more involved? SFA for NMWA is a member-run organization, and we are looking for volunteers to help fill the following roles: ​
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Events Committee (1) - help plan member events
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Newsletter (1) - help collect and format content
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Finance/Accounting Assistance (1) - help with dues collection, accounting, and reporting
Please reach out to sf.nmwa@gmail.com to express interest or learn more.​
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Image Captions:
—Nicki Green, Hybrid Vessel 3 (with mishkah and trans semiotics, blue/green), 2024. Installation photo from the Reunited exhibition at CCA, photo by Nicholas Lea Bruno..
—Member Spotlight Image courtesy of Kimberlee Swig.
—Opportunities: Photo from Reunited opening reception on April 2, 2025 at CCA, photo by Nicholas Lea Bruno.
Browse past issues of our quarterly member newsletter for highlights, event recaps, and updates from the San Francisco Advocacy for NMWA.
Fall 2025 Member Newsletter – Annual meeting highlights, update on the Reunited exhibition and Nicki Green acquisition, upcoming fall programs, NMWA news, and Member Spotlight on Kimberlee Swig.
Highlights from REUNITED exhibition, catalogue release, and spring events.
Highlights include member philanthropic initiatives, upcoming fall and winter programs, artist updates from Women to Watch candidates, and a special Member Spotlight on Amanda Minami.
Highlights include a look back at Nellie King Solomon’s solo exhibition reception, upcoming events and philanthropic initiatives, and news of a proposed art gift to NMWA honoring Ilene Gutman. You’ll also find artist updates with recent and upcoming shows from Women to Watch artists, plus a Member Spotlight on Helen Kim and her inspiring journey from architecture to full-time art practice.