Igniting Creativity and Success: NAWA’s Membership Committee Champions New Benefits

In the vibrant world of artistry, belonging to a community that nourishes your creative journey is paramount. The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) has consistently been a nurturing haven for artistic souls, and its Membership Committee is taking this nurturing spirit to new heights.

Over the past year, the Membership Committee has been working tirelessly to expand the spectrum of benefits that come with being a part of the NAWA family. With a passion for propelling artists toward success, they have introduced two groundbreaking programs that have artists buzzing with excitement.

The first jewel in the crown is the Round Table Discussions, a series of insightful sessions that provide a backstage pass to the business of art. Imagine sitting down with accomplished artists and industry professionals who graciously share their wisdom on topics like crafting a compelling business plan, harnessing the power of social media, the art of fruitful collaborations, and even the nuances of writing for artists. Seven thought-provoking sessions have already been recorded, each unlocking a treasure trove of knowledge.

Available exclusively to Signature and Associate Members, these live sessions offer personal interaction and learning opportunities. However, the generosity continues beyond there. Signature Members enjoy lifetime access to these discussions via the exclusive Membership Portal, ensuring that the guidance of these luminaries remains at their fingertips, inspiring and guiding them on their artistic journeys.

But that’s not all – the Membership Committee’s innovative spirit also uplifts NAWA’s teaching artists. A spectacular opportunity is in the offing for these dedicated mentors – a chance to showcase their sacred spaces and workshops. Come January 2024, the NAWA website will bloom with the vibrant colors of a student art show, a testament to the mentorship and guidance these NAWA artists provide.

Now is the perfect moment to seize these benefits. The Membership Committee is on a mission to embrace new artists into their fold, especially among Associate Members. A dynamic growth plan is meticulously crafted to ensure every artist’s voice finds its place within NAWA’s embrace. So, extend the invitation to your artist friends and peers, and let them bask in the radiance of these boundless benefits.

The heartbeat of any thriving organization is the volunteers who pour their passion into its growth. The Membership Committee extends a warm welcome to all those who wish to contribute their time and energy. Your dedication can help shape NAWA into a dynamic force, and with your participation, ideas like traveling shows and an array of other exciting benefits are poised to become a reality.

In the NAWA’s artistic tapestry, the Membership Committee is the thread that weaves dreams into reality, propelling NAWA towards an unparalleled reputation and a sisterhood bound by shared aspirations. NAWA isn’t just an organization; it’s a thriving ecosystem of creativity and support. Please join the Membership Committee’s dedicated efforts, which hold warmth and inspiration abound, and the future is painted with the bold strokes of endless possibilities.

Warmest Regards,

Elena Zelenina Chair,
NAWA Membership Committee

by Mary Ahern, Chair, NAWA PR Committee

This season has been an exciting time for the NAWA PR Committee. We have grown due to the generosity of our volunteers, many of them new Signature Members who joined us in the Fall of 2022. Because of this, we have expanded our efforts to promote NAWA and all our artists.

NAWA’s social media presence has blossomed since Amy Hutto and I seeded the sites in 2021. Kathleen Zimmerman posts our exhibitions and exhibiting artists on Facebook and Instagram daily. Abby Zonies manages our Facebook “Members Only” Group, where we ask questions, share opportunities, and build our member community. Judy Kirtley carefully ensures this group remains a NAWA “Members Only” group by verifying individuals before they are admitted. This year, Monica Shulman added Pinterest to our social media sites. We are now also on LinkedIn and the new social media site, Threads. All these posts of NAWA exhibitions and events of interest to the general public focus on bringing NAWA and our artists forward in art industry conversations and awareness.

With the help of Signature Member artist and author Susan Rostan, we are expanding the committee’s Historical Research Project. With an eye to establishing a searchable database, we aim to rescue the vast history of our organization and historic members from the mists of time. Our initial focus is on the 59 Past Presidents who have led NAWA efforts as they continued working as professional artists. The research has begun to generate an absolute treasure trove of information. We will update Members when the database becomes available for use.

Our new member, graphic designer Jen Sterling, is helping to refresh and modernize all our published material, both online and in print. The redesign of brochures, banners, and posters for NAWA shows has given us a new look that has been a big boost during a return from the Covid pandemic step back. In the main office, Charlene Ko continues to organize the Monday newsletter, “This Week With NAWA,” using Jen’s redesign and the graphics of all our events.

I am pleased that we introduced new articles named: “Did You Know?” and “Glad You Asked,” which appear on Monday in “This Week With NAWA.” We’ve communicated via these columns the vast amounts of ideas, projects, events, and opportunities our historic organization offers. We’ve also answered questions about NAWA to educate newer members and preserve our institutional knowledge.

To add permanency to this effort, the committee has established a blog called “NAWA News,” with a link to the NAWA website homepage where we can post these blog postings for future reference. Much of this information is evergreen; with tags and a search, NAWA members can find the information they seek.

But none of this would be possible without our committee’s volunteer members. Some members give more hours but many give our PR efforts the minimum six hours per year that is part of our NAWA membership commitment. These Micro-Projects are on a spreadsheet you can access on the NAWA Member’s Portal by clicking the link, “Get Involved.”

Being involved with the mission of NAWA has been immensely rewarding since I became a member in 2018. Being a part of an organization empowering other women artists, which NAWA has been doing since 1889, gives me great personal joy. I bring a lifetime of experience from areas besides being an artist as do many of our volunteers. Volunteering for NAWA hasn’t diminished my efforts to be a working and exhibiting artist; it stimulates me to be surrounded by such a gifted and energetic group of creative women.

If you would like to see how you can fit into our PR Committee, send me an email at Chair_PublicRelations@theNAWA.org and I’ll add you to our distribution list so you can review our agenda and receive an invitation to our next monthly PR Committee Zoom meeting.

P.S. If you have any questions you’d like addressed in our future “Glad You Asked” columns, please email them to me.