DSAL Board of Directors and Leadership Team - Dripping Springs Art League

Board of Directors

Steve Friedman - President & Community Outreach

Steve is thrilled to bring community, connections, and amazing art to the Dripping Springs area. He leads a passionate and diverse leadership team determined to uplift artists, galleries, and the community’s art scene.

Steve led various domestic and international supply and trading teams at Shell Oil for 30 years. After retirement, he and his wife Jennifer relocated from Houston to Dripping in 2021. They quickly fell in love with the warm, creative people and the picturesque landscape of the Hill Country.

In his spare time, Steve is a nonfiction author for the introvert and Down syndrome communities and loves to relax on local trail walks. Jennifer and Steve enjoy travel, especially to see their three kids scattered around the US.

Erhan Oktay - Treasurer

Amy Nelipovich, Secretary

My passion for art started when I was young. While growing up my parents exposed us to all kinds of creativity…..drawing, painting, clay, glass blowing, jewelry making, museums, music, camps, classes. The whole house was filled with art, music, and creativity.

I graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles with a degree in Visual Communications. I have spent the last 30 years working in Visual Merchandising.

Now I have started Blue Sky Art on Wheels LLC, a mobile art gallery. Dedicated and showcasing original unique art created by Central Texas artists, and can been seen at Hill Country Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries.

I want to share with others unique, fun, and accomplished art that otherwise may never be seen. I believe this is a great connection for both the artists and customer. Art is something that truly speaks to each person in so many ways.

All of this is why I am part of the Dripping Springs Art League. It brings all my passions together in one place while having the opportunity to help others.

Open - Art in Public Spaces

Jennifer Friedman, Membership

Since beginning my art journey in 2016, I felt the desire to create a wide variety of art and styles using different mediums including watercolor, magazine collage, and digital artwork. I love the freedom to flow from one medium to another whenever the feeling moves me. I am a self-taught artist and LOVE to learn new ways of utilizing my talents and skills.

My art enables me to connect with others in an emotional and spiritual way. Seeing the connections others have with my artwork brings me purpose, satisfaction, and joy. I hope you that you also feel the connection with my pieces and what that may convey to you.

I moved from Houston to Dripping Springs In 2021. And for the first time, my art career became my heart and center for my newly created life as a new empty nester. Creating art has helped me to make amazing connections in the Dripping Springs community. I have a kinship with so many wonderfully creative people and feel like I am flourishing.

I was the curator at The Gallery at Salon Mystique from 2022-2023 and grew the gallery from 5 artists to 35 with nearly 200 pieces of art. In 2023, I became one of the founding members and Membership Chair for the Dripping Springs Art League non-profit organization with the mission of “Art! Community! Connection!” We have an amazing leadership team that is being led by my husband, Steve (president). We look forward to a full schedule of programming for 2024.

Alison Cairns, Publicity

I moved to Austin in 2001 from Scotland and then moved to Dripping Springs in 2021
I co-founded Austin Craft Lounge in 2018 and then Handmade at Nutty Brown in 2021, which
is a co-op of female owned businesses who co-run the store.
I have been a student of pottery for over 25 years and am still learning. I like to try new
techniques. I am honored to help the DSAL get started and a excited about the Art scene
In the Dripping area .

Additional Leadership Team Members

Open - Fundraising

Natalie Griffith Robichaux, Programming Co-Chair

Natalie is thrilled to be a co-chair of the programming committee for the DSAL. She looks forward to planning engaging, educational and fun events for the artist community of Dripping Springs.

Natalie is a subtle body wellness coach and works one-on-one and with groups for trauma release and healing through bodywork. She is also a performance maker and painter. Other work she has enjoyed in the world is academic appointments at Penn State University and UCSD in their graduate and undergraduate Theatre departments as well as performing on Broadway and at regional theaters, and being a coordinator for the Sundance Institute.

She happily lives in Dripping Springs with her husband, two kids and two dogs. Natalie loves traveling, hiking and making just about anything that is fun.

Gretchen Edelmon, Programming Co-Chair and Website Admin

Pilar Tafares, Tours Co-Chair

Vanessa Anderson, Tours Co-Chair

I moved to Dripping Springs in 2019 after retiring from a career as an engineer and I am thrilled to be part of the art and creativity movement taking over Dripping Springs! My art journey began when I was young but my passion for oil painting didn’t hit me until my early 30s. I am so happy to be spending more time in my art room and learning from all the creative people around me. I still have so much to learn and the connections I am making with the fabulous people in the Art League is priceless – I feel at home. I can’t wait to see what the DSAL will bring to our little town!