Artists'Trellis Pop-up Exhibition April 7th and 8th

What happens when  Napa Valley artists, policymakers and community leaders come together to make art?

Sunday April 7th 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Monday April 8th 4:00 to 7:00 pm

Willis Art Studio 1830 Soscol # D NAPA, CA 94559

With early support from an ACNV grant in 2023, I began The Artists’ Trellis, an awareness project for Napa arts. As a thirty five year resident of Napa, I have advocated for more inclusion and support for local artists. Affordable studio space, dedicated exhibition venues and a seat at the table around planning and civic policy are critical to keeping artists living and working in Napa Valley. When I didn’t feel like I was being heard, I created my own table and asked local policymakers and leaders to join me in my studio to make art.

What began as an advocacy plan developed into meaningful, intimate  printmaking sessions where both the artists and non-artists created a bond through art making. Most of the guests had little art experience but was supported  by one of a core group of local artists, each with over 20  years’ experience living and working in Napa Valley.   Shedding light on the challenges that artists face on a daily basis with community and civic leaders can help shape policy and affect change.  

"I asked each participant to choose from two motifs: Napa Valley botanicals & foliage or native wildlife. The exhibition is a curated selection of monotypes from each of the six sessions. It creates a collective portrait of the Napa Valley that memorizes something we all value about living here.  In this fractured world, I want to remind others that art can be a bridge to connect us.

Artists' Trellis Project

Recently, I received a Community Fund Grant from Arts Council Napa Valley for my Artists’ Trellis project. The project brings together civic and community leaders with artists for a session of printmaking in my Napa studio. The goal is to create awareness for the Napa artistic community and the need for exhibition and affordable studio space.

The project is in now well underway and going great!

Congressman Mike Thompson and County Supervisor Anne Cotrell liked it so much, they both posted about it on their Instagram accounts. See image( L to R Arminee Chabazian, Supervisor Anne Cottrell, Nancy Willis, Congressman Mike Thompson, Kristina Young in Wilis’ studio August 2023.

Stay tuned for more details and an upcoming exhibition of all the work.

William Allan: Negotiations with Eden - Plein Air Painting Picnic at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Friday, March 31

Gallery 1 Patio | 10:30 am-2:30 pm

$160, including lunch - Advance registration is required.

Grab a friend or make a new one at di Rosa during our William Allan-inspired plein air picnic! The day will include a morning walkthrough of the special exhibitionNegotiations with Eden, plein air painting instruction with Napa-based artist Nancy Willis and lunch on the patio overlooking Winery Lake. New to painting? No problem, both beginner and experienced painters are encouraged to attend. You can bring your own painting gear, or we can set you up with all materials for a nominal fee. Sign up on the di Rosa website…HERE

Arts Council Napa Valley Community Fund Grant 2023

I am so excited to announce that my project, the Artist’s Trellis was awarded a 2023 ACNV Community Fund grant. The Artists’ Trellis is a new series of printmaking sessions with a diverse list of industry and civic leaders and four of my fellow Napa Valley artists. The art-making sessions will provide a unique way to foster exchange and stimulate awareness for the arts. Stay tuned for more details as this project unfolds over the year.

Anti-War 2023 Exhibition at Diversia

I am pleased to announce the inclusion of my piece HOVER/Syria in the exhibition ANTI-War 2023. The exhibition was organized by the Canadian group Diversia to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. There are over 100 pieces included in this online exhibition which you can see here. On view through March 31st.