Friends of Sharon Art Studio
In 1991 a group of students founded the non-profit Friends of Sharon Art Studio (FOSAS) in order to advocate on behalf of the Sharon Art Studio’s program and facility. For more than 30 years FOSAS has partnered with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to sustain and enhance the studio and its programming.
FOSAS
Board of Directors
*Their favorite art medium(s)
President
Danielle Waltrip
Grove Collaborative, Retention Program Senior Manager
*Ceramics & Stained Glass
Committee Chairs
Stephanie Choy
Choy Consulting
*Glass & Ceramics
Jessica Kiever
Docusign, Marketing Strategist
*Pencil Sketching, Painting, & Ceramics
Amy Higgins,
Salesforce, Director, Content Strategy
*Metal Arts and Jewelry, Fabric, & Woodcuts
Committee Members
Krista Walton Potter
Global Fund for Women, Communications and Editorial Manager
*Watercolor & Ceramics
Kaitlin Lee
Fossil Group, Product Manager
*Graphic Design & Ceramics
Easton Chen
Parallax Volatility Advisers, L.P., Chief Compliance Officer
*Ceramics
Executive Director
Friends of Sharon Art Studio
Nicki Guard

Nicki joined as the Executive Director in January 2020. She has been a ceramics student here since 2004. Driven by her love of our unique art community, she is committed to seeing it thrive. Her responsibilities include being an ambassador to the world both inside and outside this beautiful stone building. She listens to what inspires students and partners with the city of San Francisco to keep the arts a priority. Nicki has over 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership. In her previous role at Girls Inc. of Alameda County she managed over 1000 volunteers and served on a team that raised over $7 million per year. Nicki has also directed education programs for the YMCA of San Francisco and Planned Parenthood. If you can't find her in the office, check the pottery studio or Tartine Bakery in the Inner Sunset.
Program Manger
Friends of Sharon Art Studio
Cassandra Sechler
Cassandra began her journey at the Friends of Sharon Art Studio in 2014 as the Administrative Assistant. In 2021 she was promoted to Program Manager. Cassandra is instrumental in growing the selection of classes that align with the studio mission and is a mastermind behind our community events. Her commitment to providing and enhancing the quality of everything we do is inspiring. In addition to her role at the Sharon Art Studio, Cassandra is an artist, filmmaker, and operates her own film production business.
