AWE STAFF

Executive Director –
Mark H. Campbell

Mark H. Campbell, Executive Director, has been the Artistic Director of Art With Elders since September of 1997. In 2013, he took the reins as Executive Director after the passing of our founder, Brent Nettle. In addition, he teaches four AWE classes at Laguna Honda Hospital.

Mark earned an MFA degree at Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 1998 and a BFA from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1990. His work is sold in prominent galleries throughout the country, is frequently purchased by private collectors and by some museums and has been published in American Art Collector and Masters of Today.

Operations Director –
Iris Hu

Iris Hu joins the AWE team to oversee financial management and day-to-day operations. Bringing over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Iris specializes in leading complex transformations, including mergers and acquisitions, operations optimization, and large-scale program management. In operations, Iris works to improve efficiency and foster continuous improvement. As a program management leader, Iris has excelled at overseeing initiatives from start to finish, aligning teams and resources to deliver projects on time.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Iris is deeply passionate about giving back to the community. An advocate for social impact, she devotes her time and resources to supporting San Francisco public schools through her work on the SPARK SFUSD board, youth in foster care, promoting diversity and inclusion, and mentoring aspiring professionals. In her spare time, she’s an avid baker who likes to foster dogs and play golf.

 

Exhibitions Director –
Darcie O’Brien

Darcie manages AWE exhibitions, events, and digital media as well as teaching the Monday Online Open Studio. She first joined AWE as a volunteer in 2012.

Darcie earned a BFA in painting and photography from the University of Colorado. Experienced in traditional and digital art media, she previously worked as a freelance graphic artist and corporate proposal consultant. In addition to her role at AWE, she teaches art and photography for K-8 grade youth in the Vallejo Unified School District.

“Working with Art With Elders provides me with the opportunity build community through art and creativity, which is my passion.”

DAS Program Manager –
Crystal Booth

Crystal joined the AWE team in January 2024 with the role of managing the two and a half year contract with the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services to expand our offering of classes. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton and a Masters in Gerontology from San Francisco State University, she has fifteen years’ experience serving the older adult population in the realm of non-profit administration and social service.

Although not an artist herself, she finds a lot of joy in collecting and appreciating art. She lives with her wife and two children in Benicia, CA.

AWE BOARD

Ignacio Estrada, President
Tim Wolfred, Vice President
Deep Kingra, Secretary
Maria Guillen, Treasurer
Abhita Batra
Susan Horst
Peter C. Karp
Rene B. Lazo, M.D.
Laura Mason
Linda Murley
Kelly Roesing
Dan Rosen

Brent Nettle, Executive Director from 1985 to 2013, passed on June 1, 2014. Click here to read Brent’s life story.

In Memoriam

We acknowledge the great loss and honor the memory of our beloved friend and colleague, former Operations Director Jason Varner.


Jason Varner

“Dogs at Fort Funston” 24″ x 24″ Oil on canvas by Jason Varner

“California Coastline” – 24″ x 20″ Oil on canvas by Jason Varner

Jason’s Garden with 2 Birds

Jason’s Garden Bench and Potted Plants

Jason, Darcie, and Mark – AWE at City Hall exhibit opening 2023