Our Story

Sketchboard was curated by Brittany and Jessamyn, two queer femme artists who shared a passion for creating in community in a warm, inviting setting. What began as an informal meet-up group gathering every third Sunday at the Red Victorian on Haight Street has grown into a thriving third space. Natalie and Alida stepped in a couple of years after the formation and later inherited the organization. When the Red Victorian Hostel closed, we found our permanent home at the Monument House. Thanks to this generous offering, we were able to expand into other avenues of curation.

We've grown from simple drawing sessions into immersive, multisensory events with performers, musicians, sommeliers, and local chefs. As Bay Area culture faces erasure, we saw the need to create accessible art spaces—both open and educational—where artists of all backgrounds can collaborate, learn, and lead.

As we grew, we slowly built our team. In July 2024, we received our 501(c)(3) letter, making us a bona fide nonprofit. But the story isn’t over: now that we have formal organization, we’re taking workshops and classes and learning from our own experiences. We’re excited to get started!

Sketchboard is our collaborative love letter to creating together.