San Francisco Women Artists facts for kids

San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) is one of the oldest art groups in California. It started in 1887 as the Sketch Club. The group was formed by women artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their goal was to support and show the work of talented women artists.

SFWA is a non-profit organization. It is located in the Sunset District of San Francisco. While it mainly helps women artists, it welcomes artists of all genders.

The group began as the Sketch Club in 1887. In 1915, it joined with the San Francisco Art Association. By 1925, it became the Society of San Francisco Women Artists. In 1946, it changed its name to San Francisco Women Artists. SFWA opened its first gallery in 1983. Today, in 2025, it still runs an art gallery in the Sunset District.

History of San Francisco Women Artists

Early Beginnings: The Sketch Club

The idea for SFWA began in 1885. The School of Design held an art show. It was the first time they showed paintings only by women. This event happened in their rooms on Pine Street.

The Sketch Club started in 1887. It was created by independent women artists. They met to share their artwork and give each other feedback. This group was a way for women to connect. It was also a response to the all-male Bohemian Club.

The Sketch Club held monthly meetings. They also went on fun field trips. In 1887, they had lectures and art shows twice a year. They took weekly sketching trips to the East Bay. They also went on summer trips to Aptos and Pacific Grove. The group even started a university art scholarship in 1887. In 1894, 28 members showed their art. This was at the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. Their art was displayed in the California Pavilion.

Reforming as the Society of San Francisco Women Artists

The group was very active until 1906. Their main building in San Francisco was destroyed. This happened during the big 1906 earthquake. After the earthquake, the group started showing art by men too. In 1915, they joined with the San Francisco Art Association. This created a group for both men and women.

However, this merger did not last long. By 1925, the women artists formed their own group again. They called it the Society of San Francisco Women Artists (SSFWA). The SSFWA held its first art show by itself in 1926. Their meetings took place at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. At that time, the museum was on Van Ness Avenue.

In 1931, the SSFWA supported an important art show. It was the first exhibit of decorative native arts. This show was held at the De Young Museum. In the same year, the SSFWA had its 6th yearly art show. This was at the Legion of Honor museum. This show included a famous painting. It was Frida Kahlo's double portrait, "Frida and Diego Rivera". This was the first time Kahlo's art was shown to the public.

In 1939, the SSFWA helped with the Golden Gate International Exposition. They contributed murals, artists, and landscape designs. During World War II, the SSFWA worked with the Red Cross. They helped injured soldiers in local hospitals.

San Francisco Women Artists: 1946 to Today

By 1946, the SSFWA changed its name. It became San Francisco Women Artists. They started a long partnership with Marchelle Labaudt. She later became their Executive Secretary. This partnership was with her Lucien Labaudt Art Gallery. In 1976, the SFWA and Labaudt were praised by the Senate. They were recognized for their "outstanding contributions" to San Francisco's culture.

In 1983, SFWA got its own gallery space. This allowed members to show their art. The organization moved its galleries several times in the 1980s and 90s. They held two important art shows. "Hands and Heart, the Art of Healing" was in 1997. "To Life" was in 1998. These shows received praise from First Lady Hillary Clinton.

In 2009, the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University included SFWA. They featured the group in a historical study. This study was about organizations that support women artists. In 2014, the design company Studio Hinrichs created a new logo for SFWA. They did this for free as SFWA was updating its brand. In July 2015, SFWA moved to the Inner Sunset area of San Francisco.

Most recently, in 2016, SFWA received a grant. It was the Neighborhood Arts Collaborative grant. This came from the SF Grants to the Arts. The organization also runs a student intern program. This program works with the Mayor's Youth Education & Employment Program (MYEEP). It also partners with the Mercy High School "Women in Arts" Program. SFWA also offers educational talks and discussions. These are open to everyone. They include "artist-in-action" demonstrations. Here, SFWA artists teach the community different art skills.

Famous Former Members

Many talented artists have been members of SFWA. Some of these include:

• Amy D. Flemming
• M. Evelyn McCormick
• Helen Hyde
• Dorr Bothwell
• Claire Falkenstein
• Ruth Asawa
• Vera Allison
• Imogen Cunningham
• Emmy Lou Packard
• Matilda Lotz
• Clara Taggart MacChesney
• Mona Beaumont
• Billie Levy
• Elizabeth Quandt
• Beth van Hoesen
• Louise McGinley
• Leah Schwartz
• Stefanie Steinberg
• Jean Murray
• Mercedes Smith
• Sophie Van Bourg
• Michelle Wyler
• Ruth Bernhard

How San Francisco Women Artists Gets Funding

San Francisco Women Artists gets its money from several sources. These include:

• Its member artists
• Activities and programs at the gallery
• Donations from individuals
• Grants from other organizations

SFWA has received grants from the San Francisco Arts Commission. These include the SF Grants for the Arts, the Neighborhood Arts Collaborative, and the Voluntary Arts Contribution Fund. SFWA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. This means it is a charity and does not operate for profit.