DirectorS Profiles

Natalie Giugni, President, 2020-present

Natalie Giugni joined the Organization in 2012. In 2015 through 2019 acted as Vice President, and in 2020 was nominated President. She is committed to elevating the programming and visibility of the NY Society of Women Artists and safeguarding its history and legacy for the next 100 years: Her tenure has included a personal address from State Representative Robert Rodriguez for supporting the community by nurturing individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. NYSWA attracted acclaim and was awarded a proclamation from NY State Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 for the organization’s contribution to women in the arts and to the citizens of New York State.

Born in Venezuela, Natalie has traveled extensively and has drawn inspiration for her work from her experiences living in Italy, South America, and Japan. Her current series, which she creates out of her Jersey City, NJ studio explores formations of birds and bones, in two- and three-dimensions. Giugni is a graduate of Manhattan's School of Visual Arts where she attended on a full scholarship and has earned a master’s degree in international business administration from Saint Peter’s University, NJ.

Diana Freedman-Shea: Chair, Advisory Committee

Diana Freedman-Shea was President of the New York Society of Women Artists from 2017-2020 and maintains a role on the Board of Directors as a member of the Advisory Committee. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She holds an MFA degree from Brooklyn College and a BFA degree from Pratt Institute. (Brooklyn, New York). Diana began teaching in NYC Public High Schools. As a New York City Arts Educator, she has been challenged, has had fun opening young people’s eyes to visual culture and their own creativity.

Diana maintained a studio practice throughout her teaching career and completed notable residencies at The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Millay Colony, Woodstock Art School, The Cummington Center for the Arts, Wassard Elea in Cilento, Italy. Freedman-Shea’s work has been exhibited in solo shows at the Prince Street Gallery, Noho Gallery, the Interchurch Center, and her paintings and etchings have been included in group exhibitions in notable institutions such as the Minnesota Museum, the Hammond Museum, the Mesa Art Center, Albright Knox Museum, and the Pfizer Corporation, among many other venues.

Betty Ann Hogan: Secretary

Betty Ann Hogan, an accomplished exhibiting artist, is the Secretary of the New York Society of Women Artists since 2022, having joined the Organization in 2016. She is a native New Yorker who graduated from Queens College and the Studio School. Betty Ann taught at New York City's High School of Music and Art for 5 years and has been awarded residencies at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and The Aspen School of Contemporary Art. She also had a residency at PS1 in Long Island City. She has drawn inspiration from the colors of New Mexico and prominent artists such as Georgia O'Keefe who she was fortunate to meet in her travels. She is inspired by seasons changing, light changing during the day, and nature and advocates for the wellbeing and advancement of the developmentally disabled population, many of whom are very talented artistically.

Lori Horowitz: Chair of Exhibition Committee

Lori Horowitz currently holds the position of Exhibition Chair of the New York Society of Women Artists as an active member of the Board of Directors. Lori is a NY native. In addition to her studio art, Horowitz has worked as an arts educator, scenic designer for theatre and television, and curator and gallerist. Each has brought new perspectives and informed the development of her artwork and career while deeply connecting her back to the sculpture she makes, and to the viewers who experience them. Through experimentation and knowledge of diverse materials, Lori incorporates painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography and pushes inventive methods to reflect her message.  Horowitz explores the overlooked interactions between individuals, exploring their social disconnect as well as a common humanity. She is represented internationally by Galerie Ludwig Trossaert, and her work has been featured in local and international publications, such as the NY Times, Newsday, Art Trends, 1340 Art International, Azucar, and Apero Magazine.

Sueim Koo, Assistant to the President

Sueim was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the US when she was thirty-six years old. As a woman, mother, and immigrant, she constantly strived to overcome various challenges and pursued her dream of becoming an artist. She began her formal studies in art later than most in life, receiving a BFA from SUNY Purchase College the year she turned fifty. She continued her studies at the Art Students League in New York. Sueim, an accomplished artist, who actively exhibits, maintains a position on the Board of Directors of The Garage Art Center, in Queens, New York. She has been a member of the New York Society of Women Artists since 2014 and is currently the Assistant to the President of the New York Society of Women Artists. Sueim was selected as one of two representative Korean artists at a special event called “Korea Night” hosted by the International House of Philadelphia. Her diary, which she has been writing since she was a teenager, recorded a variety of emotions from her life’s challenges, and is the source of her romantic and fantasy-like abstract landscapes. Sueim’s works have been included in group and solo exhibitions at Taller Boricua Gallery, Edward Hopper Art Center, Islip Art Museum, and Washington Cultural Center, among many other venues.

Stephanie S Lee: Chair, Scholarship Committee

A NYSWA member since 2015, Stephanie Lee’s background is in graphic design where she worked in global firms, including KPMG and SRZ. As of late, she thrives as an artist, curator, and art educator in Queens, New York. In addition, she is a founding director of GAC, a nonprofit art organization: garageartcenter.org, and a Korean Folk Art organization, Koreanfolkart.org. She promotes and shares visual art with the community through exhibitions and workshops. Lee is also associated with the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, where designs exhibition promotional graphics and assists with operations.

Yolene Legrand: Treasurer

Yolene Legrand is the Treasurer of the New York Society of Women Artists and has been a member since 2021. She has a background in finance with an MBA from NYU and worked as an international banker for many years before becoming a professional, acclaimed visual artist. Her paintings and prints draw inspiration from her Haitian upbringing as well as her extensive travel worldwide and she portrays many historical sites which retain the significance of the effects of colonization in Haïti and the US. She developed her artistic voice under the instruction of various instructors at the Art Students League of New York, particularly the late Peter Homitzky, and has received a professional award from former Manhattan Borough President C Virginia Fields. Her work has been exhibited in notable galleries and museums worldwide.

vALERIE pATRITTI

Valerie Patritti is a board member of the New York Society of Women Artists, NYSWA, and a native New Yorker. She is the Vice President of the Venue Committee and has aided NYSWA in booking exhibitions, since 2011 when she joined the organization. She has two Bachelor’s and a Mater’s degree in Biochemistry . Her surrealist paintings draw inspiration from the minds of great filmmakers like Federico Fellini. Her bold colors are indicative of a world full of vibrancy, movement, and positivity. She is inspired by different cultures and stories people share of their lives. She is an activist who advocates for women’s rights and encourages people to express their art whatever media they may use. 

Leah Poller: Chair, Marketing and Public Relations

Born in Pennsylvania, Leah Poller received classical training in sculpture at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure de Beaux Arts, in Paris, France. Partaking in a rich, multicultural environment, Poller interacted with foremost members of the international arts communities of France, Spain, Italy and Latin America during her 24 years in Paris. She returned to the United States in 1992, where she opened her studio in a consummate Soho loft in New York City.

In 2015, Poller was featured as the only foreign artist in the Beijing Biennale Of Female Sculptors. Poller was cao-founder of Intercambios de Arte y Cultural Internazionale in Mexico, where she spearheaded the restoration of a mural she identified as work by Philip Guston. In 2023, Manhattan Arts honored Poller for Outstanding Woman Artist Achievement. Leah is a co-founder of ArtFormsUs (Harlem, New York) and holds an additional board member position in the New York Artists Circle (NYAC).

Anne Stanner: Chair, Sculpture Jury Committee, Advisory Board Member

Anne Stanner is a past president of the New York Society of Women Artists (2012-2016) and is currently on the advisory board and chair of the sculpture jury committee. She has an MFA from the City College of New York and a BA from Queens College. She is a sculptor who works in metal and clay, creating both large and medium size public works and smaller intimate pieces. Her large public steel sculpture, Wave, is permanently installed at Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY and two of her medium wave pieces are permanently on display in the lobbies of the Ruppert Condominium Towers in Manhattan.

She has had one-person exhibitions at the Arts Society of Kingston, Ellenville Public Library and Museum, Pace University, Long Island University, the City College, and NYC public libraries. Her work has been exhibited in countless group shows in the metropolitan area, other states, and in Spain. She has also organized and curated many exhibitions and sculpture workshops. She has taught metal sculpture at the Art Students League of NY for 20 years and is a founding member of the non-profit Sculptors Alliance, Inc. where she served as its president for 15 years.

Rachelle Weisberger: Keystone Committee

Rachelle Weisberger, an accomplished exhibiting artist and published author, is the Chair of the Keystone Committee and has made notable contributions to the organization's historical archives. She has been a member of the New York Society of Women Artists since 1980 and an active Board Member for 33 years.  A native New Yorker, Weisberger graduated from Queens College, and as an art instructor taught at Long Island City High School. She has received recognition for her paintings in professional publications and in gallery exhibitions. Author of "Biblical Beauty: Ancient Secrets and Modern Solutions." Weisberger recognizes that beauty comes from within and radiates a healthy body, mind, and spirit. She approaches her own visual art in the same holistic way through a painterly exploration of color and shape that light up the canvas to foster joy.

LYNNE Friedman, Ed.D.: Advisory Committee

Lynne Friedman, Ed.D. - President of NYSWA 1992-1996, followed as a Board member and is currently Advisory Board Member. Friedman received a Doctorate in Art Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, BA and MFA from Queens College. A former college Art instructor at Manhattanville College, Kean College of NJ, and Ulster County Community College. Upon retirement worked as a volunteer art instructor at Bard College, Lifelong Learning Center, and New Paltz Lifelong Learning Center. A passionate painter and 2D artist, Friedman has received eight art residencies around the world and shows regularly in New York galleries. Her work is in numerous corporate collections and has been chosen to show work in three US Embassies around the world through the US Dept of State- Art in Embassies Program.