As the Membership Chair, I’m thrilled to share exciting updates and opportunities. The membership committee diligently enhances our benefits and fosters collaboration with other committees.

1. Professional Development:Our Round Table Discussions and Workshops provide invaluable opportunities for growth and learning. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your skills or expand your knowledge base, these sessions are designed to enrich your professional journey. Please find the videos in your membership portal and join us for the live session!
2. Benefit for Signature Members who Teach:We’ve introduced a community outreach project tailored for our Signature members who are educators. This benefit aims to support and acknowledge the valuable contributions of our teaching members. It’s an ongoing project; you can participate anytime throughout the year.

We welcome your input and ideas as we refine and expand our offerings. There are numerous ways to get involved, from sharing your suggestions to taking on small tasks contributing to our collective efforts. Currently, we are searching for someone who can assist with research—a vital role in shaping our future endeavors.

Additionally, we’re dedicated to nurturing and growing our Associate membership group. If you’re interested in participating in this initiative or have ideas to contribute, I would be happy to hear from you.

Your involvement and support are instrumental in our mission to create a vibrant and inclusive community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or interest in getting involved further.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our organization.

by Mary Ahern, Chair of the Public Relations Committee

The Public Relations (PR) Committee of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization’s growth and preserving its legacy. The committed members of the PR team aim to engage members, increase volunteerism, maintain a robust online presence, disseminate information effectively, conduct historical research, and collaborate with other committees within NAWA.

NAWA News and This Week With NAWA (TWWN)
The weekly newsletter, “This Week With NAWA,” serves as a vital communication tool, linking members to current and upcoming events and to evergreen posts on the NAWA website under the title “NAWA News.” These articles are accessible to the general public and showcase events, member accomplishments, and historical highlights. Special features like “Glad You Asked!” and “Did You Know?” aim to enhance an understanding of what NAWA offers, its exhibitions, events, and the wide variety of services and opportunities available. The “NAWA Luminaries” feature, written by Susan Rostan, spotlights NAWA’s prestigious history, historical members, and Honorary Vice Presidents, promoting awareness of NAWA’s impact on U.S. culture.

Social Media
The Social Media Team, including Pamela Flynn, Nancy Good, Monica Shulman, Lauralynn White, and Kathleen Zimmerman, maintain a robust presence across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Threads, and LinkedIn. Managed by our dedicated team members, these platforms help increase visibility for NAWA’s exhibitions and events. Each artist juried into NAWA shows has their work and artist statement posted on our Facebook page. The private Facebook Member Only Group, managed by Abby Zonies, serves as a space for community building. Judy Kirtley works to ensure the group remains a Member Only Group. Amy Hutto’s conversion of NAWA exhibitions and events into slideshows on YouTube further extends the organization’s reach.

Press Releases & Ad Postings
The PR committee crafts and distributes press releases for NAWA’s exhibitions and events and graphics tailored for social media promotion. These press releases are emailed to NAWA’s extensive publicity database. Members are encouraged to amplify these efforts by sharing the releases within their own networks. Additionally, postings on public-facing social media platforms aim to attract a wider audience for exhibition submissions and membership drives.

Historical Research
NAWA’s Historical Research Team, with co-leader Susan Rostan, is actively engaged in documenting the organization’s extensive history, past Presidents, and significant figures and events in our long existence. This collaborative effort, facilitated by experienced members and external partnerships, enriches NAWA’s understanding of its legacy and contributes to preserving its history.

Additional Initiatives
The PR Committee is involved in a broad range of additional projects. Designing and maintaining the branding of all NAWA material in print and online, the committee ensures the online and print material is in keeping with the organization’s mission.

Branding was one of the subjects presented in the Round Table meetings located in the Professional Business Practices for Artists produced by the NAWA Membership Committee. All the recorded videos of the Round Tables are in the process of professional branding and editing. These Education programs are hosted on the website in the Member Portal.

A project to create listings of prominent women business owners and CEOs, curators, and museum professionals is being researched by our new member of the PR team, Jen Haefeli, to expand exhibition opportunities for members, fund-raising, and sponsorships.

Since NAWA is a volunteer-run organization, the PR Committee’s efforts to boost volunteerism have yielded positive results, with diverse members contributing their skills and time. Initiatives like the Micro Projects program and the new volunteer opportunity listings in TWWN aim to streamline the volunteer process.

In summary, the PR Committee’s multifaceted efforts are instrumental in advancing NAWA’s mission and objectives. The committee is vital in promoting awareness, engaging members, and fostering community within NAWA through strategic initiatives, collaboration, and a commitment to preserving the organization’s legacy.

by Samar Hussaini

The NAWA Exhibition Committee provides opportunities for members to showcase their talents through both online and in-person exhibitions. It is committed to creating exhibitions that highlight the skills of NAWA members.

From across the U.S., the NAWA Exhibition Committee strives to create opportunities in the art world. The annual calendar is a testament to the unwavering dedication, offering a curated array of showcases designed to illuminate the brilliance and diversity of NAWA’s artistic community.

The committee’s aspirations extend far beyond regional boundaries, actively cultivating partnerships with galleries, ranging from esteemed institutions to burgeoning venues. Through these strategic collaborations, the Exhibition Committee aims to amplify the impact of NAWA members’ awe-inspiring works, sustaining the Association’s long tradition and ushering in a new era of exposure and recognition on a national scale.

Examples of recent and upcoming exhibitions: Visions of Peace & Joy (in-person Flushing Bank, NYC, and Brooklyn, NY), Frozen Dreams and Abstract Realities (online), Winter Small Works (online), Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories (Vanda Gallery, New Rochelle, NY), Today (Tomayko Foundation, in-person Pittsburgh, PA), The NAWA 135th Anniversary Annual Members Exhibition (in-person & online, One Art Space, NYC, NY), and many more.

And the most thrilling part? You are invited to join the Exhibition Committee on this exhilarating journey! For Signature Members, there is a place within the committee. Seasoned curators have access to the NAWA public Member Gallery, and may propose exhibitions in qualified venues, and the public may access all NAWA online and in-person exhibitions, where the NAWA artists’ work is all for sale through the website or the NAWA office. NAWA pushes the boundaries of artistic expression and kindles the flames of creativity in the hearts and minds of all who encounter the work.