Jill Baratta, Executive Director
From Where I Sit
After 12 years with NAWA, I am very familiar with the natural flow of the yearly cycle. I have seen changes; society and the world change, and so does NAWA. Numerous application entries for membership come to us in each round of jurying. It is as important to me that we retain members as add them, so I am extremely conscious of helping, accommodating, problem-solving and empowering of all NAWA’s precious members, in addition to our constant revamping of NAWA programming and benefits. I am thrilled that the new time slot for the Annual Members Exhibition in June allows us to work harder to release our Annual Catalog in the same year as the exhibit, plus frees members, volunteers and staff to enjoy their summer vacations. NAWA is having more exhibit opportunities that do not require entry fees. It is my hope that we can have more sponsorships and have “more like this” without the fees. It is important to provide support so artists can spend time creating, and while all businesses, including that of art, require administrative time, the more freedom artists have to create, the stronger the culture of the society will be as a whole. Educating artists, and sharing expertise in the enhancement of creative time, process and business, is a priority for NAWA. NAWA is a society unto itself, where the members share their skills and experience to forward their own art careers and those of their NAWA sisters.
The August Round Table had as its topic: “The Written Brush: Unveiling the Importance of Writing for Artists.” This was beneficial for the members and got me thinking about my own writing habits. I enjoy writing and always wish I were doing more. There was discussion about “intent,” translating one’s work for others who are non-artists, differences between statement, bio, and process description, and much more. I was reminded of a line from a book used in one of my freshman college courses- “Significance is an Afterthought.” Sometimes one sees something in a work- even one’s own- after it is done. Perhaps a great selling point for an artwork- when you live with it, you learn more and more. Mary Ahern touched on the need to write and wait before putting writing “out there,” which could use more emphasis—editing and editing and editing—something I do obsessively, as I revisit the things I write, as much as possible, to re-evaluate how it reads and how it might be read. Also, Fran Gardner, from South Carolina, gave an excellent presentation on writing, informed by her many years as a college art professor who emphasized being able to articulate about the artwork.
I thank the membership for their patience over the last few years, as we worked hard to stabilize NAWA and all its functions, and continuously build out benefits (so many new ones!!), friendships, and opportunities. And so, we learn and celebrate together, and continue to provide a safe space for women artists to thrive.
Jill Cliffer Baratta, Executive Director
