Celebrating our community and creating new platforms
The fiscal year 2023/24 has marked a significant leap in our programming. We successfully completed our first museum exhibition at the Museum of Northern California Art (monca) in Chico with over 170 alumni participating. We also launched a new film festival where we honored Mike Kuchar with the Studio 8 Legacy Award. Additionally, we represented our alumni at the SUPERMARKET International Art Fair in Sweden and continued our Spotlight talk series and online exhibitions. It’s been a busy and rewarding year
IN FLUX: Recalibrating the Unknown at MONCA, Chico; Image credit: Stuart Bass
Table of Contents
01 2023-2024 Highlights
Studio 8 Film Festival
Supermarket Art Fair in Stockholm, Sweden
INFLUX Exhibition at the Museum of Northern California Art (monca)
Spotlight Program
02. Future Projects and Updates
SFAI History Book Project
Forthcoming Exhibitions
SFAI Transcripts Update
03. Engagement Summary
04. Donors
05 Financial Statement
06 Board of Directors
01. 2023-2024 Highlights
Studio 8 Film Festival
This past year, we proudly launched the Studio 8 Film Festival. The festival showcased a diverse range of films, from experimental and documentary shorts to a full-length feature, each reflecting the innovative spirit of SFAI Alumni. Curated by Marian Wallace, Toban Nichols, and April Martin, the three-day festival took place on June 14, 15, and 16 across three locations in the Bay Area. The success of this year’s “Studio 8 Film Festival” has inspired us to establish it as an annual SFAI film showcase.
Mike Kuchar and Marian Wallace at the Roxie Image Credit: Stuart Bass
Friday: Experimental Shorts Program
Friday’s program, curated by Toban Nichols, was held at Shapeshifter’s Cinema—an experimental theater in Oakland. It featured 15 former faculty and alumni filmmakers spanning five generations of SFAI. The films, themed around industrial landscapes and humor, were met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience.
Program:
Knee Jerk by Kerry Laitala
Make 'em or Break 'em by Dean Snider
Garbage Castle by Jibz Cameron aka Dynasty Handbag
Carolee, Barbara & Gunvor by Lynne Sachs
Weaving of the Valleys of Love, Small Dazzled Nothings, Floating Land by Dimitra Skandali
Song for Rent, After Jack Smith by Malic Amalya
Winter Wheat by Mark Street
Ghosts by Deborah Fort
Let's Make A Movie by Tommy Becker
Mirage / Monte Kali by Liz Miller Kovacs
Illusion by Minoosh Zomoridinia
JOE DIMAGGIO part 1 by Anne McGuire
Transactions by Yin-Ju Chen
Alas, Departing by Dicky Bahto
SRL at BAM (video installation) by Marian Wallace
Saturday: Juneteenth-Themed Show + “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
Saturday’s program took place at the Balboa Theatre in the Richmond District of San Francisco. The evening highlighted several significant films, including a long-lost print of "Angela Davis: Walls into Bridges" by Ed Guerrero, part of a Juneteenth-themed show curated by April September. The program honored Black and African diaspora filmmakers who contributed to SFAI as alumni or instructors, featuring both vintage and contemporary films. Special thanks go to the SFAI Library Team, Jeff Gunderson and Becky Alexander, for recommending the “vintage” films by Ed Guerrero and Allen Willis.
Program:
Angela Davis: Walls into Bridges by Ed Guerrero
I'm Dying of Thirst by Nykelle DeVivo
Memories of a Refugee Camp by Tahsin Hyder/Doha Debates featuring Wesaam Al-Badry Have You Sold Your Dozen Roses by Allen Willis Fear of the Fire Next Time by April September
Following the Juneteenth Show was a screening of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" by Ang Lee, for which Peter Pau, SFAI alum, received an Academy Award in cinematography This screening drew both neighborhood residents and SFAI community members.
Sunday: George and Mike Kuchar’s Films
On Sunday afternoon, The Roxie Theater hosted a selection of George and Mike Kuchar's lush, ecstatic, and delirious class films from their time at SFAI, curated by Marian Wallace. Mike Kuchar introduced the films, providing entertaining and insightful commentary, and was later interviewed on stage by RE/Search founder V Vale.
Program:
Bloodsucker by Mike Kuchar
I, An Actress by George Kuchar
Asphalt Ribbon by George Kuchar
Happy Birthday! by Mike Kuchar
SFAA, along with the SFAI Legacy Foundation and Archive, presented Mike with a special award for his years of dedicated work at the school—a replica of the door of Studio 8, sculpted by alumni Marshall Elliott (MFA 2014) and presented by Panos Panagos. Following the screening and interview, an alumni reception with pizza and drinks was held at Roxie’s event space. We look forward to continuing this tradition and making it an annual celebration of film and community (see the catalog here).
FEVER DREAM at Supermarket Art Fair in Stockholm, Sweden
In April 2024, SFAA participated in its second international art fair. We proudly represented our alumni at the prestigious Supermarket International Art Fair in Stockholm, Sweden, with an exhibition curated by Annie Reiniger-Holleb. This international platform served as a global stage for our alumni to share their artworks and engage with the international art community.
Participating Artists:
Adrian L. Burrell, Linda Connor, Daniel Davidson, Eleni Exarchou, Karen Finley, Aline Mare, Bruce Pollack, Ramon Quanta Churruca & Matias Jaramillo, Sandra Ramos, Ivar Smedstad, Maya Smira & S.H., Selby Sohn, and Nina Wedberg Thulin.
The exhibition was titled "Fever Dream," explored the surreal nature of today’s political landscape. Amid the onslaught of online information, truth and reality have become increasingly indistinct. "Fever Dream" delved into the dark underbelly of contemporary life, where reality and deceit intertwine, as we increasingly find ourselves surrounded by a constant barrage of misinformation. The exhibition was a thought-provoking and resonated with the complexities of our contemporary world.
SFAA Booth at Supermarket Art Fair
Fever Dream featured works on paper and videos by SFAI alumni, including drawings, prints, photos, and collages (hand-made or digital). The exhibition received an overwhelmingly positive response and marked our inaugural effort to engage and include our European alumni. In addition to participants from the U.S., the exhibition featured artists from Cuba, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Israel, and Iran (see the catalog
Performance by Ramon Quanta Churruca at Supermarket Art Fair
Curator Annie Reiniger-Holleb and Swedish alumna Nina Wedberg Thulin next to her artwork
IN FLUX: Recalibrating the Unknown at the Museum of Northern California Art (monca)
IN FLUX: Recalibrating the Unknown at the Museum of Northern California Art (monca) was our most ambitious project to date and a major highlight of our year. Curated by Jeremy Morgan and organized by Eve Werner with the help of many volunteers, this exhibition featured works by more than 170 SFAI alumni, faculty and staff, and included several site-specific collaborative projects under the guidance of Eve Werner.
Curator Jeremy Morgan reflects: "The theme of 'INFLUX' invites us to consider the complexities of our present moment and reflect critically on our experiences. For those of us involved in this exhibition, our connection to the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) runs deep, as students, staff, or faculty. The illustrious history of the school is part of our lived reality, shaping our perspectives and practices. We remember what a wonderful 'cauldron of creative activity' San Francisco Art Institute actually was while celebrating a sense of an unfolding and redefining of the SFAI community’s traditions and concomitant visions."
IN FLUX: Recalibrating the Unknown Opening Reception, MONCA, Chico, Image credit: Tom Patton
With the 2022 closure of the San Francisco Art Institute—a cornerstone of contemporary American art education for 150 years—as a backdrop, this exhibition encouraged artists and visitors to consider the role of art in revealing possibilities within the current fusion of social, environmental, economic, and epidemiological challenges.
The IN FLUX exhibition was a resounding success, highlighting the resilience and creativity of the SFAI community. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the achievements of our alumni in future endeavors (see the catalog here). This exhibition could not have happened without all the amazing volunteers. THANK YOU!
De-Install volunteers: Ujjayini Sikha, Stephanie Houston , Thomas Houston , Eve Werner, David Ruiz, Richard Goldberg, Lynette Montgomery, Paul Wells and Son, John Coggins, Annamarta Dostourian, Christine Wolheim, Emily Jane Corbett, Becky Alexander
Jeremy Morgan and Kirk LeClaire at the opening reception for INFLUX at MONCA in Chico Image credit: Tom Patton
Spotlight Program
The Spotlight Program celebrates and showcases the accomplishments of SFAI Alumni, providing a platform for them to share their work, experiences, and insights with the broader alumni community. The program includes presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities for alumni.
In this fiscal year we have hosted a total of 10 presenters, each with their unique artistic backgrounds and experiences to share with the SF Artists Alumni community We also hosted an information session with the Bureau of Postsecondary Education (BPPE) on how to request transcripts and apply for student loan forgiveness programs.
See below the list of Presenters:
Mark Durant, MFA 1985
Steve Hurd, BFA 1979
Dorothy Cross, MFA 82
Becky Alexander + Jeff Gunderson (SFAI Legacy Foundation & Archive)
● Total Expenses (speaker stipends): $750 (-28.57%, was donated)
The program's diverse lineup of presenters and increased attendance compared to the previous year demonstrates the ongoing enthusiasm and support within the SFAI Alumni community. We look forward to another year of celebrating and connecting with our accomplished alumni in 2024/25. The Spotlight series is available on the SFAA youtube channel.
INFLUX Collabo Team: Project at INFLUX, MONCA, Image credit: Tom Patton
02. Future Projects and Updates
SFAI History Book Project
Image: SFAI Timeline created by Annie Reiniger for THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE event
We are currently starting our biggest project yet: 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, and yet to date no comprehensive history of the school has been written. A published history of SFAI would permanently safeguard, share, and celebrate the history and legacy of the school.
The history of the San Francisco Art Institute is more than the story of a school; it’s the story of a century and a half of artistic and cultural creation in the context of San Francisco’s ever-changing cultural landscape. We will be sharing more information via our newsletter.
Forthcoming Exhibitions
We are excited to announce our upcoming participation in the Art fair TRYST at the Torrance Art Museum in Los Angeles, where we will feature the works of 8 talented alumni. The booth will be curated by Michael Pollard and Toban Nichols. Additionally, the Sonoma Museum will host an exhibition of alumni works in the spring of 2025 curated by Jude Mooney Stay tuned for more information.
SFAI Transcripts Update
The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) has been processing alumni requests for transcripts since Fall 2023. So far there have been no reported issues with these transcripts being accepted by institutions. As of June 2024, BPPE has processed a total of 191 transcript requests for SFAI alumni.
BPPE is unable to issue diplomas. We are actively collaborating with the SFAI Legacy Foundation and the former SFAI registrar to find a solution for this problem which is mainly impacting international alumni. Please stay tuned for updates. If you encounter problems with SFAI transcripts issued by BPPE please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email to info@sfartistsalumni.org.
Jude Mooney and Ujjayini Sikha at the Studio 8 Film Festival Closing Reception, Image credit: Stuart Bass
03. Engagement Summary
Total views on YouTube have increased from 2,905 to 4,089, indicating an increase of more than 40%. The most-watched videos were the Spotlight talk by Andrea Nicolette Gonzales, the Studio 8 Juneteenth promo video, and the Spotlight talk by Steve Hurd. Additionally, the SFAI Archive Spotlight with Jeff Gunderson and Becky Alexander, as well as the info session with BPPE about SFAI transcripts, were among the top 5 videos.
The highest page views on our website were on August 4, 2023 (August Newsletter), with 292 views. The longest average session duration was on October 23, 2023, at 18 minutes and 16 seconds. Despite some high bounce rates, average session durations were substantial. For example, March 24, 2024, had a bounce rate of 62% but an average session duration of 17 minutes and 10 seconds.
The bounce rate ranged from a low of 36% on November 14, 2023, to a high of 89% on August 4, 2023, and October 23, 2023. Average session durations varied widely. On July 21, 2023, the session duration was notably high at 39 minutes and 42 seconds.
Dates like November 28, 2023 (open call for INFLUX email), and March 20, 2024 (INFLUX opening reception email), showed steady traffic with moderate page views, sessions, and unique visitors. There was a steady influx of unique visitors throughout the year, with spikes in August 2023, and various dates in March and November 2023.
Alumni Meetup ahead of the IN FLUX opening at Bidwell Park in Chico
04. Donors
This list includes donations made in the period of July 1st, 2023 to June 30th 2024
Anonymous
Annie Reiniger-Holleb
Antoinette Wysocki
Becky Alexander
Christina Corfield
Christopher Tellis
Coreen Abbott
Corinne Nakao
Cycladic Arts
Dan Bockmier
Emily Jane Maynor
Gordon Knox
Gordon Ricketts
Howie Cherman
Huguette Combs
Jack Bowers
James Lofrano
Jeanne Chowning
Jeffery Gunderson
Jeremy Stone
Jim Guigli
John Marx
John Roloff
John Sanger
Jose De Los Reyes
Judy O'Shea
Julie Blankenship
Julie Rousseau
Karla Klarin
Kristin Winters
Linda Connor
Lisa Salazar
Luba Zygarewicz
Lynette Montgomery
Mark Durant
Maria Theresa Barbist
Marian Wallace and V Vale
Massimo Pacchione
Matt Selz
Merylee Smith Bingham
Michael Pollard
Mike Chambers
Paul Johnson
Paul Sack
Domah Fund
Rebecca Chou
Richard H. Alpert
Rosario T Geis
Rose Anne Raphael
Stephen Martin
Stephen Mcgurin
Steve Hurd
Stuart Bass
Suzie Buchholz
Synne Tollerud Bull
Todd Molinari
Ujjayini Sikha
Valentine Wallace
Wendy Case
We would also like to thank all our TIP IN THE JAR donors on eventbrite and all of our volunteers who have helped this year: our amazing liaison team, exhibitions team and the volunteers for the INFLUX exhibition and the Studio 8 Film Festival!! A big shout out and much gratitude for the incredible work of alumn Eve Werner, Julie Blankenship, Judy Zhu, Selby Sohn and Marshall Elliott.
Marshall Elliot, Joanne Easton and Selby Sohn at the Studio 8 Film Festival reception
Image Credit: Stuart Bass
05. Financial Statement
Fiscal Year 2023–2024 was the fourth consecutive year of operating surpluses, demonstrating that SFAA is in good financial health and growing stronger.
IN FLUX: Recalibrating the Unknown, Opening Reception, Image Credit: Tom Patton
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
DONATE TO SFAA
Lior Bar, Annie Reiniger Holleb, Maria Theresa Barbist, Becky Alexander and Marian Wallace at the Studio 8 Film Festival
