2025 Year End Review- Top 12 Highlights!

2025 was a year of GROWTH, clarity, and momentum at The Women’s Gallery by Julie Ahmad. From expanding our space and strengthening our artist roster to testing new ideas and deepening community connections, each step moved us closer to the gallery we’re building together.

Below are twelve highlights that capture the gallery’s evolution over the past year!

No.1 We Rebranded!

We officially rebranded from Julie Ahmad Contemporary Art Gallery to The Women’s Gallery by Julie Ahmad, clarifying our mission and publicly committing to amplifying women artists. The rebrand marked a pivotal evolution from a founder-led space to a women-centered cultural platform.

No. 2 Gallery Expansion

We doubled our physical footprint by taking over the neighboring space, expanding from 1,200 sq. ft. to 2,400 sq. ft. This expansion allowed for larger exhibitions, richer programming, and deeper community engagement.

No. 3 Artist Roster Growth

We significantly expanded artist representation, adding eight local female artists to the gallery roster and closing the year with 18 female artists total. This growth strengthened the diversity of voices, perspectives, and mediums we champion. Newly represented artists include:

Anna Ganina, Western Chic Paintings

Cindy Brideau, Abstract Landscapes

E Guenthner, Mixed Media Abstracts

Kemba Najuma Opio, Abstract Portraits

Kristy Battani, Mixed Media Collage Art 

Neena Buxani, Colorful Floral Paintings

Payton Copeland, Bold Abstract Portraits 

Shan Fannin, Hyper-Real Vehicle Paintings

No. 4 The Inner Circle (Pilot Year)

We piloted The Inner Circle, an intimate community experiment exploring deeper connection, modern matronage, and collective support for women in the arts. This testing phase helped shape the future vision for a more intentional collector and supporter ecosystem.

No. 5 Affordable Art Fair Experience

We attended the Affordable Art Fair and ushered a curated group of artists and collectors with VIP early access, offering a guided, relationship-driven approach to experiencing the fair. This moment tested new ways of supporting both artists and collectors beyond the gallery walls.

No. 6 Seasonal Exhibitions

We hosted two large-scale seasonal exhibitions: Muse to Masters and Introducing The Women’s Gallery. These shows anchored the rebrand and expansion while setting a new standard for scale, curation, and experience.

No. 7 2025 Art Awards

We produced the 2025 Art Awards, celebrating women artists through a community-led voting process. The awards reinforced our belief in shared recognition, visibility, and collective celebration.

No. 8 Austin Studio Tour Participation + KUT News Feature

During the Austin Studio Tour, we hosted three new community artists and provided represented artist E. Guenthner with dedicated space to debut her latest collection. The moment was further amplified by our feature on KUT News, highlighting the gallery’s commitment to mentorship, exposure, and meaningful support within our collector community.

No. 9 Artist Gatherings & Community Events

We hosted two artist-centered gatherings: the Holiday Artist Party and the Pink Artist Gathering, bringing together artists, partners, and community members. These events focused on connection, celebration, and relationship-building beyond traditional exhibitions.

No. 10 Leadership Growth

This year asked more of me than I expected. As the business grew, so did the challenges—turnover, hard decisions, and moments that tested my resolve. I wasn’t perfect, but I stayed present, kept moving forward, and became the kind of leader I can truly be proud of—staying true to my values, morals, and ethics.

No. 11 Fashion × Art Collaboration

We collaborated with When Fashion Meets Fine Art on the “GYDASH x Mantra Series Collection”, blending wearable design with fine art. The collaboration expanded how our artists’ work could live beyond the gallery walls.

No. 12 Toni ‘the claw’ Biscotti

Toni “the claw” Biscotti is a critical part of the gallery team, working nights in security, days as a greeter, and remaining perpetually on call for in-house cat therapy support. Known for his airtight discretion and familia loyalty, he will absolutely cut you — hence “the claw” — if you attempt to give him a bath. A former street cat from Del Valle with a colorful past and rumored mob ties, Toni has since gone legit and now brings his reformed energy, watchful eye, and calming presence to the gallery.