by Samar Hussaini, Exhibitions Committee Chair
Step inside the creative world of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA), where exhibitions don’t just happen—they stretch boundaries and connect audiences with the incredible talent of women artists across the country. At the heart of it is NAWA’s Exhibition Committee, a dedicated group of curators, jurors, and volunteers who make sure the shows feel fresh, vibrant, and deeply meaningful every single month.
Exhibits that Make a Statement
This year’s highlight was the 136th Annual Members Exhibition, brightening the Leonovich Gallery in New York City from June 6–21, 2025. The online awards ceremony on June 11 and opening reception on June 13 were celebrations of creativity, energy, and community, complete with $13,000 in prizes recognizing outstanding work. The exhibition was brilliantly curated by Carole Richard Kaufmann, a fine artist whose paintings and drawings often explore memory and the human figure, and Susan B. Phillips, a multidisciplinary artist known for her inventive use of materials. Together, they brought a dynamic vision that honored NAWA’s legacy while making space for bold new voices.
“We’ve been working together since 2012, and this year’s Annual at the gorgeous Leonovich Gallery was the most fun yet—we love doing it together for NAWA and hope to keep it going for years to come,” said Kaufmann.
“Carole and I ‘see art’ the same way—we work hard to make every show the best it can be, and the joy we find in working and laughing together makes the effort deeply gratifying,” said Phillips.
NAWA doesn’t stop at one big show. Through its biannual large-scale exhibitions at ALoft Hotel in Long Island City, members showcase ambitious, eye-catching works in a setting that is steps from the culturally prestigious MoMA PS1 Museum. Meanwhile, the quarterly exhibitions at Flushing Bank keep the art flowing year-round, spotlighting members’ creativity in a professional space accessible to the community.
And let’s not forget SURFACE, the summer show at Yellow Studio in Cross River, NY. From July 12 to August 9, 2025, the show invited artists to reimagine what “surface” can mean—whether through texture, depth, or sheer experimentation. The July 19, 2025 reception buzzed with excitement as visitors explored this fresh, thought-provoking exhibition, which also tied into Upstate Art Weekend.
Equally important was the Summer Small Works Exhibition, which demonstrated that big impact can come in small dimensions. With 249 submissions received, the show accepted 80 works from artists both within and outside the NAWA community, highlighting the depth of talent and range of perspectives. This intimate and varied display celebrated the power of scale, drawing viewers in to appreciate the detail, delicacy, and inventiveness of artists working on a smaller canvas.
Finally, the Art Angels Exhibition, sponsored by American Woman Spirit Co., honored 51 dedicated members whose volunteer work embodies NAWA’s core values of education and empowerment. As the backbone of the organization since its founding in 1889, these Art Angels exemplify the generosity and commitment that allow NAWA to grow and thrive. [Editor’s note: see a carousel of images from the Art Angels show in this issue of NOW].
What’s Next? Big Collaborations Ahead
NAWA is already looking forward to 2026, with exciting collaborations lined up with the Sasse Museum of Art in California, Vanda Gallery in New Rochelle, NY, the Center for Contemporary Printing in Norwalk, CT, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY. These partnerships promise to expand the stage for NAWA members, taking their work to new audiences and bigger platforms.
Meet the People Behind the Vision
Behind the scenes, it takes a village to make exhibitions shine. Diane Salamon, Oklahoma fine artist and curator of numerous national exhibits, has been a powerhouse in organizing NAWA’s jurying panels, keeping the selection process professional and fair.
Exhibition Chair Samar Hussaini brings vision, artistry, and impeccable organization to ensure every exhibition runs smoothly.
Of course, none of it would be possible without the many volunteers who lend their time, energy, and love of art to bring these events to life, and, of course, the dedication and hard work of our office staff, Abbey Anderson, Membership & Program Coordinator, and McKenzie Hickey, Office Manager, whose support keeps NAWA running seamlessly every day.
Mark Your Calendars
The New Members’ Exhibition 2025 kicks off in the Trask Gallery at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC, in-person from November 2–8, 2025 and online at thenawa.org, November 1–31, 2025.
To wrap up the year, don’t miss the Associates & Graduating Student Member Exhibition 2025, online from December 1–31 at thenawa.org—a showcase of fresh voices and rising stars.
NAWA continues to expand support for artistic expression, encouraging artists to push boundaries and audiences to explore new perspectives, thus enhancing the vibrant and engaged arts community that is NAWA.
