A Message from Christie Devereaux
The new year is upon us and there are lots of new and exciting changes. We will soon have a new record keeping system called a Client Relationship Management (CRM) that will allow us to effectively have more complete and accurate membership information at our finger tips in addition to other types of record keeping. I want to thank Jill Baratta, Susan Hammond, Emma Seely-Katz, Sonia Stark and the committee chairs who help in the decision-making process.
NAWA has numerous Zoom meetings, and I have attended practically all of them, from receptions, to committee and chapter meetings, to various board meetings. This has been extremely informative because I am able to get a full picture of all the activities and planning that is going on with the committees and chapters. It is key to building on ideas through networking. The receptions are a wonderful way to celebrate the NAWA artists. I really appreciate getting to know many NAWA artists and their work.
The NAWA committee chairs who are all volunteers have been working to ensure that this year will be truly successful. Mary Ahern is our Public Relations chairperson. When you read about a press release on Facebook or Instagram, please know it comes from Mary. She has assembled a team of volunteers to do research on famous artists who have been NAWA members and also has explored ways to promote our exhibitions.
Joanna Biondolillo is the NAWA Exhibition chairperson. She continues to do an amazing job with preparing the prospectuses, and processing the details that are necessary for our exhibitions. This year the NAWA exhibitions have begun with “Healing” at the Mulberry Library and online in New York City and “New Dimensions” online. Both have proven to be exciting and reflect the spirit of our times with a broad range of emotions. One can experience unique perspectives on the meaning of healing, and on the impact of Covid which are expressed both abstractly and figuratively. These exhibits are a prime example of the high quality of our artists. I encourage all of you to share these NAWA exhibitions with your friends near and far. Be on the look out for new and exciting exhibition in 2022.
Elena Zelenina is our Membership Chairperson. She has been working on innovative ways to increase membership by promoting the NAWA name. I would like to add that March will be the next time for artists to apply for NAWA membership. If you know of just one artist friend whom you think should join NAWA, please encourage that person to apply for membership. That’s how I became a member 30 years ago.
In the office, Emma continues to be a super star, from answering questions on the phone to setting up Zoom meetings, and sending out all the email notices that you receive. These are just a few of the many things that she does.
Finally, recently NAWA received a sizable bequest from an anonymous donor. We are very grateful for all donations. Also, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the many exhibition opportunities, to engage in conversation on Facebook and Instagram, attend Zoom sessions, and perhaps think about volunteering, which is truly rewarding. These are a few of the ways to participate, and to extend your circle of artists in the NAWA sisterhood. Be on the lookout for the next addition of NAWA NOW for more exciting news about future developments.
Have a healthy happy, inspiring and creative 2022!
Christie Devereaux
President, NAWA
