UNRULY: North Bay Artists from the San Francisco Art Institute at the
Cristina Velazquez
Celebrating our community and creating new platforms
During fiscal year 2024/25, SFAA continued to grow and enhance its programming, serving alumni, faculty, and staff of the former San Francisco Art Institute while honoring its legacy
Several of our programs have continued into their 2nd years: Studio 8 Film Festival, Supermarket Art Fair in Stockholm, and the TRYST showcase in Torrance, California We also participated in our 2nd major Northern California museum show, “Unruly” at the Sonoma County Museum. Our Spotlight series of artist talks perseveres, our SFAI Memory Collection grows, and we carry on with support for the all-important SFAI Legacy Foundation + Archive, while also working to facilitate transcript access for alumni. All-in-all, it’s been a busy year with no signs of slowing down, as we continue to work to create community and exhibition opportunities for our world-wide associates
Museum of Sonoma County, performance by
01. 2024-2025 Highlights
UNRULY: North Bay Artists from the San Francisco Art Institute
Museum of Sonoma County | February–May 2025
In early 2025, the Museum of Sonoma County hosted UNRULY: North Bay Artists from the San Francisco Art Institute, an exhibition celebrating the spirit of experimentation, resistance, and radical imagination that defined generations of artists rooted in SFAI’s legacy. Featuring alumni who live and work in the North Bay, UNRULY was both a testament to the enduring influence of the Institute and a snapshot of the region’s diverse and dynamic contemporary art scene
The exhibition drew over 2,500 visitors and included a robust schedule of public programming Highlights included virtual artist talks with Liz Steketee and Richard H Alpert, a historic lecture series featuring long-time librarian/archivist Jeff Gunderson, and a widely attended walkthrough with curator Jude Mooney The events brought together alumni, local community members, scholars, and students in active dialogue, reinforcing the importance of artist-led education and intergenerational exchange.
Curated by Jude Mooney in collaboration with the SF Artists Alumni network, UNRULY emphasized the cross-disciplinary nature of SFAI’s legacy ranging from conceptual photography and large-scale sculpture to social practice, painting, and performance The title “UNRULY” reflects both the individual agency of the featured artists and the ethos of a school known for questioning boundaries and forging new paths.
The exhibition featured 20 artists, including Richard H Alpert, Chester Arnold, David Best, Mark Grieve, Robert Hudson, Anton Kuehnhackl, Evri Kwong, Virginia Linder, Janis Crystal Lipzin, Phil McGaughy, naomi murakami, Sam Roloff, Alice Shaw, Simone Simon, Liz Steketee, Inez Storer, Hwei-Li Tsao, Heather Wilcoxon, Christina Velazquez who performed I Love SFAI live at the opening reception and Ujjayini Sikha, whose participatory installation Community Security Blanket invited collective reflection and contribution
A fully illustrated exhibition catalog accompanied the show, featuring curatorial essays, artist statements, and images of the artwork The catalog is available to view online here: UNRULY Catalog 2025.
This exhibition marked the first large-scale museum show focused on SFAI alumni in the North Bay and coincided with ongoing efforts to document and preserve the Institute’s 150-year history following its closure. Through UNRULY, we celebrated not only the artists but also the communal networks of support, critique, and shared experience that define the SFAI diaspora
The SF Artists Alumni network extends its deep gratitude to the Museum of Sonoma County for its vision and partnership, to the participating artists for their generous contributions, and to all who joined us in honoring a legacy that refuses to be quieted
THE OFFICIAL PLAN
TRYST Art Fair | Del Amo Crossing Office Building, Torrance, CA | August 23–25, 2024\
SFAA Booth with works by Toban Nichols and Judy Zhu at TRYST
TRYST’s unconventional format activating disused spaces with temporary exhibitions offered a potent context for THE OFFICIAL PLAN. The repurposed Del Amo Crossing office building served as both site and subject, aligning with the project’s thematic focus on infrastructure, vacancy, and reinvention Over one intense weekend, the show welcomed hundreds of visitors, connecting alumni with LA-area audiences, curators, and peers.
The exhibition also underscored SFAA’s commitment to supporting alumni-led initiatives and fostering regional visibility for artists rooted in the San Francisco Art Institute’s expansive, experimental legacy We extend our deep thanks to co-curators Toban Nichols and Michael Pollard, to the participating artists, and to the TRYST Art Fair team including Max Presneill, Sue-Na Guy, Carl Baratta, and the City of Torrance for their vision and support.
Participating Artists: Mia Capodilupo, Aragna Ker, Toban Nichols, Michael Pollard, Annie Reiniger-Holleb, Laura Ricci, Mitch Temple, Judy Zhu
EROS OF KOSMOS
Supermarket 2025 – Stockholm Independent Art Fair | April 3–6, 2025
In April 2025, SF Artists Alumni (SFAA) presented EROS OF KOSMOS at Supermarket –Stockholm Independent Art Fair, an annual platform for artist-run spaces from around the world. Curated by Eleni Exarchou, this exhibition brought together eight international SFAI alumni
SFAA Booth at Supermarket Art Fair in Stockholm
whose work explores the generative tension between passion and order, impulse and structure, chaos and beauty.
Rooted in the etymological depth of the ancient Greek words "Eros" (love, desire) and "Kosmos" (order, harmony, the universe), EROS OF KOSMOS offered a poetic, philosophical, and political reflection on the creative force that drives us often irrationally toward making and meaning Through photography, drawing, embroidery, video, painting, and installation, the artists invited viewers into spaces where civility and fervor coexist, and where the personal becomes cosmological
Participating artists included Åsa Åkerlund (Sweden), Eleni Exarchou, (Greece), Liz Miller Kovacs (Germany), Elania Nanopoulos (USA), Aliki Pavli (Greece), Annie Reiniger-Holleb (USA), Eddie Ritter (Sweden), and Martin Wohlwend (Liechtenstein), each contributing unique perspectives informed by diaspora, feminist inquiry, mysticism, queerness, and poetic resistance.
As part of SFAA’s growing international presence, this project highlighted the rich global network of SFAI alumni and reaffirmed the enduring relevance of artist-led dialogue across borders. The presentation was met with strong engagement from the fair’s audience, fostering new connections with artist-run initiatives across Europe and beyond
We thank Supermarket Art Fair, curator Eleni Exarchou, and the participating artists for their visionary work and dedication You can listen to interviews with the artists on our YouTube Channel.
Eleni Exarchou at Supermarket in Stockholm, Image credit: Liz Miller Kovacs
Diego Rivera Gallery Poster Show
As part of our ongoing commitment to honoring the legacy of the San Francisco Art Institute, the Diego Rivera Gallery Poster Show showcased a vibrant selection of exhibition posters from decades of student-led programming. Presented in collaboration with the SFAI Legacy Foundation + Archive, the show celebrated the creativity, experimentation, and community spirit that defined the gallery Displayed both digitally and in-person, each poster offered a snapshot of artistic dialogue and innovation, highlighting the gallery’s vital role in shaping generations of emerging artists This collaborative exhibition also sparked renewed interest in preserving these ephemeral artifacts as a crucial part of SFAI’s broader historical narrative
Participating Artists: Aaron Eliah Terry, Alberto Mayer, Amayi Morales, April Lynn, Aubin Crowell, Ben Cornish, Betsy Carson, Bob Slote and unknown, Brian B. Decker, Chloe' Allison, Chris Novak, Claire Sorosky, Daniela Parrado, David Dugoncevic, David Fagan, Debra Kaufman, Eli Phelan-Harder, Elizabeth Eckman, Elliot Shannonhouse, Gilbert Major, Giuliana Funkhouser, Henry Chambers, Jeff Maylath, Jessica Hutcheson, Josh Mintz, Jun Mo Chung, Kate Rannells, Keith Beck, Kirk Le Claire, Krista Wright, Kristen Calabrese, Lexygius Calip, Lori Hanson, Magdalen Pierrakos, Marco Castaneda, Mar Doré Milpa aka Mary Mizenko, Marian Wallace, Meghann J. Riepenhoff, Minjun Kim, Nanette Love, Oscar Lopez, Patty Felkner, Phil Pasquini and Stan Askew, Rafael Bustillos, Richard Irwin, Roy Yoshioka, Ruby Yang, Sam Swigert, Sam Vaughan, San Francisco Art Institute Faculty 1981/1982, Sarah Aineb, Sequinette, Taravat Talepasand, Whitney Humphreys, Will Barclift and many more!!
Posters submitted to the Diego Rivera Gallery Poster Show
Talks Program
SFAI Memory Collection Talks
In collaboration with the SFAI Legacy Foundation + Archive, the SFAI Memory Collection Talks + Archive initiative launched as a dynamic effort to preserve and share personal stories, reflections, and materials from the San Francisco Art Institute community Through a series of live talks, recorded interviews, and an open call for submissions, this project invites alumni, faculty, and staff to contribute their memories creating a living archive that honors SFAI’s enduring cultural impact As part of this initiative, we hosted three major Memory Collection talks focused on key departments and iconic spaces.
In December 2024, photography legends Linda Connor and Jack Fulton joined Jeff Gunderson to revisit the legacy and experimental spirit of the Photography Department In February 2025, Richard Shaw and Rodger Jacobsen reflected on the distinctive culture of the Sculpture and Ceramics Departments, and in June 2025, John Lindsey, Pete Stanwood, and Paul Glaviano shared lively stories about the role of Pete’s Café as an informal creative hub on campus This final talk was presented in a hybrid format, with more than 20 alumni attending in person at The Great Highway Gallery in San Francisco marking an exciting return to live community events and a model we hope to build upon These conversations rich in humor, insight, and historical depth are being recorded and preserved as part of the growing digital archive, forming a foundation for future public programming, research, and potential publication while fostering deeper intergenerational connections across our alumni network
Spotlight Talks
Our monthly SFAA Spotlight Series held on the first Monday of each month continues to grow as a cornerstone of our programming, offering alumni and faculty a platform for dialogue and reflection
In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, we proudly hosted 11 alumni presenters, each bringing a distinct perspective shaped by their unique practices and experiences These Spotlight events served as meaningful moments of exchange, reflection, and recognition within our growing network.
This year’s Purvis, Bruc
Dr. Ben L. J Waldmann vital program in the coming year.
From July 2024 through June 2025, we hosted 11 Spotlight Talks and 3 special SFAI Memory Collection sessions, featuring a range of speakers from across decades and disciplines, including Bruce McGaw, Dewey Crumpler, Cecilia Sterner, Evri Kwong, and Linda Connor The total number of RSVPs reached 1,350, with 484 attendees joining us live across sessions, and $1,456.84 collected in optional "tip jar" donations via Eventbrite. Our most attended session was the November 2024 conversation with longtime painting faculty Bruce McGaw, drawing 82 attendees. These conversations not only preserve living history but continue to foster connection across our alumni community. Recordings are archived on our YouTube channel and shared via newsletter and social media to further expand accessibility
1st Annual SFAA Board Retreat
SFAI Legacy Foundation + Archive | Feb 14, 2025
In 2025, the SF Artists Alumni (SFAA) board convened for a pivotal retreat at the Legacy Foundation to reflect, strategize, and prepare for the future of the organization This gathering provided a space for both introspection and collaborative planning, marking a critical moment of growth and transition for SFAA
The retreat began with a focused session on the structure and evolution of the board, including discussion of new candidates for both the Advisory and SFAA Boards Drawing inspiration from peer models, such as the Chicago alumni board, the group explored pathways to create a more transparent and inclusive nomination system that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the alumni network
The second session welcomed Mitch Temple from Root Division, who led a conversation on long-term sustainability, capacity building, and strategic priorities for the next five years Participants reviewed and offered input on the working Strategic Planning document, identifying key goals and actionable steps to support programming, visibility, and fundraising The day concluded with a planning session to define next steps, clarify roles, and set the timeline for implementation The retreat reaffirmed SFAA’s shared commitment to artist-centered leadership, intergenerational dialogue, and the preservation and activation of the SFAI legacy
SFAA is grateful to the Legacy Foundation for hosting this important meeting and to all board members, advisors, and guests whose contributions continue to shape the future of the organization
SFAA Turns 5!
Rusty Ladle | June 29, 2025
This year, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of SF Artists Alumni with a joyful gathering that brought together alumni, friends, and supporters from across the decades The event was generously hosted by John Lindsey at his soup restaurant, Rusty Ladle, in San Francisco Guests enjoyed live music by The Situational Jazz Band, featuring Pete Stanwood on bass, adding to the festive and nostalgic atmosphere It was a meaningful moment to reflect on how far we’ve come since our founding in 2020, and to celebrate the vibrant community that continues to grow around the legacy of SFAI.
The Situational Jazz Band at Rusty Ladle
02. Future Projects and Updates
SFAI History Book Project
Image: SFAI Timeline created by Annie Reiniger for THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE event
We are continuing work on our most ambitious project to date: the SFAI History Book Project Few institutions have been more central to the development of art in the United States over the past 150 years than the San Francisco Art Institute yet no comprehensive, published history of the school currently exists. This book will permanently safeguard, share, and celebrate the remarkable legacy of SFAI.
Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress: we’ve developed a detailed project proposal, crafted a marketing and outreach strategy, and begun identifying and connecting with potential publishers Our aim is not only to preserve the institutional history but to tell the story of a century and a half of artistic and cultural creation through the lens of San Francisco’s ever-evolving cultural landscape
We look forward to sharing more updates as the project moves forward and as always, we invite alumni and community members to contribute memories, materials, and support for this historic publication.
Forthcoming Exhibitions
We are thrilled to share a preview of upcoming exhibitions and events that continue to elevate and connect the SFAI alumni community across regions and generations.
This July, we return for a second consecutive year to the TRYST Art Fair at the Torrance Art Museum in Los Angeles Our booth will feature the work of SFAI alumni, curated by Michael Pollard and Toban Nichols.
Looking further ahead, we are in active planning with the Palm Springs Art Museum for a major alumni exhibition scheduled for 2027, to be curated by Claire Tom and Toban Nichols. We are
also in conversation with SFAI liaison Martin Wohlwend about organizing an alumni exhibition in Liechtenstein.
This fall, we will also present the 2nd Studio 8 Film Festival, honoring the groundbreaking work of Lawrence Jordan and Gunvor Nelson. The festival will include an open call for submissions, inviting a new generation of experimental filmmakers to share their visions alongside these influential artists
SFAI Transcripts Update
Since Fall 2023, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) has been processing transcript requests for SFAI alumni As of June 2025, BPPE has fulfilled a total of 373 transcript requests for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. The previous period, which did not cover a full fiscal year, saw 191 requests fulfilled One international student has reported issues with transcript acceptance by another institution.
BPPE is unable to issue diplomas We recognize that this is especially problematic for our international alumni, and we are actively working with the SFAI Legacy Foundation and the former SFAI registrar to explore a solution.
In parallel, we have been in conversation with Parchment, a digital credential service, to potentially take over transcript services and provide expanded options, including official
Opening Reception for UNRULY at the Museum of Sonoma County
transcripts and diploma reissues The cost for a full transfer to Parchment has been quoted at $33,000.
To help guide our next steps, we are currently planning an alumni survey to understand preferences: whether to maintain free transcript access through BPPE or transition to Parchment for more robust services
If you have encountered any problems with transcripts issued by BPPE, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@sfartistsalumni org Stay tuned for further updates
SFAI Alumni and Community Directory
Launched on June 19, 2025, the SFAI Alumni and Community Directory has already welcomed 239 members in its first weeks. This growing resource connects alumni, faculty, staff, and community members across generations and geographies In addition to fostering renewed connections and collaborations, the directory is also being shared with curators and cultural organizers as a tool for identifying artists for future exhibition proposals The response has been enthusiastic, and we look forward to seeing how this platform continues to support the creative networks rooted in SFAI. We invite all members of the SFAI community to join and be part of this living archive: https://wwwsfartistsalumni org/sfai-alumni-directory
Audience at Pete’s Cafe Talk at The Great Highway Gallery
03. Engagement Summary
Our digital platforms continue to be essential tools for engagement, outreach, and archiving, with strong growth across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Eventbrite, and email and now expanding to Bluesky Early in 2025, we transitioned to Constant Contact for newsletters and updates, sending 165,510 emails with a 96% delivery rate and an average open rate of 50%, which is 17% above the industry average
Top-performing campaigns included reminders for the Pete’s Café event, the Studio 8 Film Festival open call, and our five-year anniversary newsletter. On YouTube, we saw a 60.72% increase in total views (4,669), 320 hours of watch time, and a 250% jump in subscribers
High-performing videos included Spotlight Talks, the Studio 8 tribute, the SFAI Memory Collection session, and UNRULY performance footage Our Instagram following grew by 10% to 2,052, with 82,503 post views over a 90-day period and an average engagement rate of 11% Top posts reached over 1,200 users, while Instagram Stories reached as many as 474 accounts
On Facebook, we recorded 7,339 impressions, 5,811 reach, 431 page views, 561 reactions, and 324 new likes in the same 90-day span. Eventbrite remained a vital tool for hosting events, generating over 800 RSVPs and bringing in both returning and first-time attendees This year, we also launched an account on Bluesky, further expanding our presence in decentralized and artist-driven online communities
SFAI Memory Collection talk at The Great Highway Gallery
04. Donors
This list includes donations made in the period of July 1st, 2024 to June 30th 2025.
AK Gubser
Adrian Card
Alberta Mayo
Alice Shaw
Alisha Trimble
Beth Davila Waldman
Brian McPartlon
Charles Forrester
Christina Corfield
Cycladic Arts
Dan Bockmier
Daniel Postaer
Deborah Fort
Emberly Modine
Gilbert Cohen
Gordon Ricketts
Jacqueline Sue
Jane Bauman
Jeanne Ting Chowning
Jeffrey Clark
Jerry Barrish
Jim (James E) Guigli
Joell Hallowell
John Marx
John Roloff
Jonathan Naisteter
Joseph Dodson
Julie Blankenship
Julie McManus
Justin Schuetz
Karen Finley
Karla Klarin
Kate Mauldin
Kathleen Thompson
Laurel Watanabe
Linda Connor
Lisa Salazar
Maria Theresa Barbist
Marian Wallace
Mauricio Robalino
Merylee Smith Bingham
Michael Naify
Mike Chambers
Nona Haydon
Paul and Alan Holleb (DOMAH)
Paula Levine
Rebecca Chou
Richard Alpert
Richard Pinegar
Stephen Martin
Stuart Bass
Susan Weiss
Susanna Lamaina
Suzie Buchholz
Texas Starr
Toby Levine
Tomas Nakada
Valentine Wallace
Wendy Case
William Messer
We would also like to thank all our Tip in the Jar donors on Eventbrite and the many volunteers who supported us this year including our amazing liaison team, exhibitions team, and general volunteers.
V Vale and Marian Wallace at the SFAA is turning 5! Party at the Rusty Ladle
05. Financial Statement
This fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025), SF Artists Alumni saw a significant increase in grant funding and continued growth in grassroots support through individual donations and program-related income Total revenue was $64,973.92, with over $55,000 raised through grants and fundraising This marks a notable increase compared to the previous year’s revenue of $58,475.00.
Expenses were well-managed at $16,779.99, down from $34,888.52 the prior year The decrease is largely due to more focused programming and fewer large-scale events requiring extensive travel or shipping As a result, net income nearly doubled, allowing us to begin planning multi-year projects with greater stability
This financial strength reflects both the generosity of our community and our commitment to careful stewardship of resources These funds will help sustain upcoming programming, book and archive initiatives, and our continued work preserving the legacy of the San Francisco Art Institute
REVENUE EXPENSES
John Lindsey hosting the SFAA is turning 5 event at Rusty Ladle
06. Board of Directors
Annie Reiniger-Holleb (Vice-President)
Brianna Hyneman (Co-Secretary)
Cristina Velazquez
Jackie Buttice
Linda Connor
Lior Bar
Maria Theresa Barbist (President)
Marian Wallace (interim Treasurer)
Toban Nichols (Co-Secretary)
Advisory Board
April September
Becky Alexander
Jeff Gunderson
Rye Purvis
UNRULY: North Bay Artists from the San Francisco Art Institute
