SAQA Northern California/Northern Nevada is large in many ways – membership, geography, and diversity among its members. With in-person and virtual meetings, Local Connections, Regional Exhibits, Local Connection Showcases, Regional SAQA website, and Facebook, opportunities abound for members. Our region strives in many ways to create an environment of warmth and inclusion. We want all members to feel known and acknowledged.
Our website is where you’ll find information about Regional Calls for Entry, Local Member Events, meeting highlights, and other current information about our group. We also maintain a Facebook regional page.
As one of SAQA’s largest regions, we have a vibrant group of artists and those interested in creating Regional Exhibits. Many of our exhibitions have traveled throughout the state and were seen by a large number of exhibition goers. Our current exhibit Prism Play, a juried show, will be traveling over the next 2 to 3 years.
Our regional newsletter is sent early each month. The goal of our newsletter is to keep members informed of current happenings in the region in such a way that members look forward to receiving it, keeping it entertaining and light-hearted.
Submissions must arrive by the 25th of the month to be included in the next newsletter.
Send submissions to Nan Halberg (nhalberg@comcast.net).
We have seven local connections and one virtual local connection. Members are welcome to be a part of the LC of their choice. During these unusual times, a number of LC are meeting virtually. Contact the leaders to get current information.
East Bay – Berkeley/Richmond
Where: Bay Quilts, 5327 Jacuzzi Street, Richmond, CA
Contact: Nancy Bardach – nancybardach@gmail.com
Scheduled meetings: See scheduled dates on website (saqanorcalnv.com/local-connections)
Focus: Critiques, member instructions and addressing artist concerns. Bonus! Bay Quilts has a gallery with a new featured artist each month.
East Bay – Walnut Creek
Contact: Susan Heller – sjheller@gmail.com
Scheduled meetings: 3rd Wednesday of the month 11 am to 1 pm. Contact the rep for location as it changes.
Focus: Critiques, sharing, road trips.
North Bay
Contact: Gigi Kandler – gi2@gi2.net
Scheduled meetings: Monthly meetings, alternating 4th Thursday and 4th Saturday. Contact rep for location.
Focus: Expanding critique skills and creating showcase exhibits.
Greater Sacramento/Foothills
Where: Blue Line Gallery, 405 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA
Contact: Carole Rossi – crossi.jd@gmail.com and Marion Emerson – marioneemerson@gmail.com
Scheduled meetings: Meetings every other month, 2nd Thursday 11 am – 2 pm
Focus: Sharing work, techniques, showcase exhibits, speakers
Central Coast Fiber Artists
Where: Castroville Library, 11160 Speagle Street, Castroville, CA
Contact: Anna Mae Gazo – amgazo@sbcglobal.net
Scheduled meetings: 3rd Friday of the month, 10 am – 12 pm Contact Anna Mae for occasional changes
Focus: Critique (Jane Dunnewold’s guidelines) demo techniques, showcase exhibits.
Reno/Tahoe
Where: Meets quarterly, Zoom meetings for the foreseeable future.
Contact: Eileen Searcy – eileen.searcy@yahoo.com
Scheduled meetings: Contact Eileen for scheduled meetings.
Focus: Speakers, sharing, field trips. Reno/Tahoe LC has a separate critique group that meets between the regular meetings.
South Bay
Contact: Maureen Lardie – mplardie@gmail.com
Scheduled meetings: Contact Maureen for times and location.
Group meets in months when there is no regional meeting.
Focus: Trips to local art venues, show/tell, critique as part of their outings, studio tours.
Zoom Local Connection NEW!
Contact: Jean Jurgenson – jeanjurgenson@gmail.com
Focus: A proposed LC, one that will serve any member who would prefer an ongoing, online gathering. Contact Jean if you are interested in such a group.