DAC President, Sawsan Wolski Appointed To County Arts Commission

Local business owner and President of the Dublin Arts Collective (DAC) nonprofit was appointed to the Alameda County Arts Commission, representing District 1, by the Board of Supervisors at a meeting earlier this week.

Her appointment replaces former Commissioner Angela Zusman, President of Story For All and Author of Story Bridges: A Guide to Conducting Intergenerational Oral History Projects; oral historian, editor and book consultant.

Despite being one of the newest nonprofits in the Tri-Valley the volunteer run DAC has already made a significant impact and was recognized by Mayor David Haubert at the virtual state of the City address earlier this year for their service in the community with the Mayor's Award for 2019.

Sawsan Wolski has been the owner of the Frame Company & Art Gallery in Dublin for over 25 years and has a longstanding relationship with the arts community in the Bay Area. Her gallery has provided a much needed space for artists in Dublin to display their work ahead of the planned Cultural Arts Center for the City.

The Frame Company provides meeting space for the DAC as well and has hosted numerous arts events and workshops over its years of operation.

In addition to framing, her business premises displays fine art paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and other fine crafts. The walls are adorned with unique and eye-catching pieces that she regular rotates for added interest.

Sawsan herself is also an accomplished artist and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago with degrees in painting, drawing, animation, and design.

Sawsan has also served on the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for the City of Dublin. Her community involvement extends beyond the arts and she is a member of the local Soroptimist of the Tri-Valley group, who describe themselves as “a group of women dedicated to making a difference in our community through service and fund raising.” Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls through programs focused on social and economic empowerment.

Key projects for the DAC in the new year include a mural representing the diversity of the Dublin community in addition to a mentorship program for young and developing artists.

One of Sawsan's most recent projects was a creative and whimsical festive display for the Santa-Drive Thru event hosted by the City of Dublin. Sawsan's vision included the letters of D-U-B-L-I-N with a variety of legs both human and animal. A few DAC Members joined in with the D by Summer Ellis, U by May Yin Giang, B by Sawsan Wolski, L by Vanessa Thomas, I by Michelle Meng and N by Gina Gabriell.

The completed display also featured trees of 'Gratitude and Remembrance' inspired by the story of Naomi, a 4 year old who died of cancer and her mom, Angela Ward who commemorates her life by doing fundraising for Neuroblastoma UK. Naomi would have been twenty-one on December 15th and there are many across the US and the rest of world, who will be feeling the weight of the empty chair this season. The special Christmas trees at the display outside Dublin City Hall held special messages from the community including love to the frontline workers, neighbors, loved ones and community as well as messages of gratitude and appreciation.