NEWS + MEMBER EXHIBITS
by Robin Okun
The seed for NAWA’s Pennsylvania Chapter (NAWA-PA) began with founder Lolly Owens’ membership in the Florida chapter. It was there that Owens experienced the impact of a dedicated regional chapter where women artists could find community and visibility. Recognizing a void in her home state, she was determined to build a Pennsylvania Chapter that would offer a sense of belonging and professional rigor to artists across the Commonwealth. Following the official founding in August 2024, the chapter began to take root in remote gatherings that connected artists throughout the vast geography of Pennsylvania. It was here that the founders developed the planning, networking, and intentional shaping of a new professional home for women artists. These virtual sessions served as the vital framework for growth, allowing members to bridge the distance between studios to build a shared identity.
This period of virtual cultivation culminated in the chapter’s inaugural physical exhibition, Light & Shadow, at the Abington Art Center in greater Philadelphia in Fall 2025. This non-juried exhibit functioned as an unfiltered debut, showcasing a diverse range of work that included tactile fiber arts, large- and small-scale sculptures, and two-dimensional works. The theme, Light & Shadow, mirrored the chapter’s own journey: the “shadow” of individual studio lives meeting the “light” of collective presence.
Positive Negative Noir by NAWA President Jackie Lorieo (two views). Photo credit: Jen Haefeli
Venue for the Abington Exhibit. Photo credit: Jen Haefeli
The opening night reception was a vibrant celebration, alive with the energy of artists gathering to see the vision of the organization realized. To preserve the significance of the evening, Owens’ husband graciously contributed his time and expertise to capturing the event, photographing the artworks with their respective makers as well as a group shot of attending members. These images serve as an archive of the chapter’s evolution, documenting the faces and camaraderie of the collective connected with the art.
Exhibited works at Abington show. Photo credit: Jen Haefeli
As 2026 progresses, NAWA-PA is a thriving community. The success at Abington served as a threshold to in-person exhibits scheduled for this year as well as 2027 and 2028, creating opportunities for women artists across Pennsylvania and beyond.
