Let’s Stay Together + News
Breakfast @ Tiffany’s March Newsletter 2025
So much has happened since I last wrote last month. The world is incredibly intense and uncertain right now. We must continue to do whatever we can to keep this democracy strong, and most importantly, stay together. Next week, I am heading to Detroit, where both of my parents are from (pictured with my grandparents above), and I’m thinking a lot about history and what we can do right now. Thoughts on that below.
But first, I can finally share the news that Ken’s and my LA Getty PST ART exhibition Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time & Technology will be traveling to the Bay Area to the fantastic di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (which has one of my favorite collections), at its stunning new San Francisco location in the Minnesota Street Project Arts Campus that opens this summer. We loved our packed 5 month exhilarating run at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA and are excited to work with the di Rosa team to bring it to the Bay Area. A new review of our exhibition, “The Language of Trees,” just came out in Nautilus. Stay tuned for the opening date in Jan 2026.
The reason I’m going to Detroit is to give a talk on my artwork at the American Association of Geographers conference, including my piece Dendrofemonology: A Feminist History Tree Ring. I’m looking forward to being in rooms full of scientists and hearing many different perspectives, learning about new tree research, and sharing with them an artist’s perspective on dendrochronology. Trees. Time. Roots.
My grandfather George Shlain, who was from a large Ukrainian Jewish family, escaped from Odessa, Ukraine and arrived in Detroit in the 1920s. Most of his family in Ukraine were killed for being Jewish. In Detroit he managed to build a life with my grandmother Frances where they raised 4 children, the youngest being my father. My maternal grandparents, Lillian Rosenthal & Herman Lewis, Jr, and my mom are also from Detroit. I am thinking of all of them …and Zelenskyy, a grandson of a surviving member of a family killed for being Jewish, now leading Ukraine against so much.
In these overwhelming times, it’s good to pick one thing to focus on. I am phone banking. Special elections happen on April 1st with two congressional seats and one for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It’s a very tangible way to engage right now.
I’m sending my newsletter for the first time on the Substack platform today. It’s been a move I have wanted to make for years. I feel like Substack is an important place to share ideas and you can easily support writers whose work you believe in. In these unprecedented times, that feels even more crucial. Here’s my 1.5-min Substack welcome video. Those of you who are used to my films, the video below was done down and dirty on Zoom, hence the low resolution. (Those of you on mobile, watch on your computer.)
Like it has been for 28 years, when I began writing this newsletter as I was starting the Webby Awards, my newsletter will continue to be free, just on a great new platform. Now you will also have an easy way to support the time and attention it takes me and my editor, Jenny Traig, to compile this newsletter each month with 20 to 30 offerings of books, art, film, events, podcasts and more. If you become a paid subscriber via donation, you are helping to support everyone on my small team at Let it Ripple 501c3. Paid subscribers can also come to a Zoom 2x each year where you can ask me anything you want. Looking forward to that experiment. You can also be a founding member, which means you get extra love and appreciation for supporting an independent artist:) In these meshugenah (=crazy in Yiddish) times, supporting people and publications you believe in matters.
For those of you new to this newsletter, I wrote an introduction to who I am and where I am coming from in the “About” section in Substack, which was an interesting exercise in trying to tell you who I am today, at this moment.
So in addition to the logistics of moving art from the LA museum exhibition to the Bay Area museum (one piece is 10,000 lbs!) it’s so good to be back in my studio more, working on some new very small mixed media sculptures. My gallery, Nancy Hoffman Gallery in New York, will be showing my miniature sculptures at the art fair Expo Chicago in April at her booth The Rapture of the Tiny. I’ll be there at the fair on preview day on April 24th.
Here is one of the pieces I will be showing, Knowing When It’s Time To Leave. I made it while thinking of my family escaping Ukraine. The whole piece is 6 inches by five inches. This is edition 1 of 5. A collector already has this piece below but I will be making 4 more versions of it. The tiny figure will stay the same, but I will find new pieces of wood so each piece is unique.
The balm for the soul right now in this crazy time is making and seeing art, writing, watching films, taking action, and being together in the many different forms.
In this month’s newsletter lots of opportunities to be together around art and culture: from Catherine Wagner, Paul McCartney, Leonora Carrington, Brooklyn Museum, Deborah Oropallo at di Rosa, Caspar David Friedrich at the Met; Books from Debbie Millman, Kevin Smokler, and Elissa Altman; Liz Dubelman’s author support; podcasts from Carla Piñeyro Sublett and The J.; events including a Women’s History Month celebration at SHACK15; the Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit; Value Culture’s Jewish Culture Festival; a 90th Day celebration with the Buckminster Fuller Institute; JCRC’s Freedom Seder; the BAMPFA benefit gala; Sara Imari Walker for the Long Now Foundation; and the Mill Valley Music Festival; Redwood Broadway musical in NYC; films including Mrs. Robinson, Zurawski v Texas on Jolt, Ladies and Gentleman . . . 50 Years of SNL Music, Paint Me a Road Out of Here, October 8, The Chaplain and the Doctor at the SF Film Festival, and Skin of Glass; the Mill Valley Wildfire Evacuation Drill, and food for thought in an op-ed from Arron Neal. One note, always click at the end of the newsletter to see the whole publication. Never want you to miss the things below the fold;)
I will leave you with this: When I ask people how they are doing right now, I am now asking two questions. How is their life (their inner circle of rings of their immediate family and friends)? Then, second, how are they doing/feeling about the next set of rings (their community, our country, our world)? We must do everything we can to make those rings grow in a direction that we believe in!
To love, art, and staying together,
Tiffany Shlain
ART
Moving Pictures: A Survey Exhibition of Works by Deborah Oropallo, Andy Rappaport and Collaborators at di Rosa through Mar 30
This is a great show at di Rosa in Napa by artist Deborah Oropallo, Andy Rappaport, and others in it’s last week. di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa is a magical place to experience. See more here.
Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200 through Feb 2026
The Brooklyn Museum is celebrating its 200th birthday with an exhibition showcasing hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and photographs from its collection of 140,000 items. Check it out here.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm at the de Young, Mar 1-July 6
This show at de Young curated by Sally Katz features 250 photos by Paul McCartney and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Beatles history.
Leonora Carrington: Mythopoesis Film
This new film celebrates Leonora Carrington: Mythopoesis, that was on view at Gallery Wendi Norris. From gothic fairy tales to Celtic legends and multicultural myths, the exhibition explores how Carrington transformed and translated these forms of storytelling across diverse visual mediums, shaping her complex and expansive oeuvre into a visionary universe. I had hoped to get this newsletter out before the show came down, but the film takes you through this exhibition.
Catherine Wagner: Reel to Real at Jessica Silverman Gallery, Feb 27 - Apr 5
When I was a young filmmaker at UC Berkeley I spent hours at the Pacific Film Archive. I absolutely loved Catherine Wagner’s new show where she photographs this archive in poignant ways. There are also haunting photographs she did of Disneyland. This show at Jessica Silverman Gallery is fantastic.
Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature at The Met NYC through May 11
This is the first comprehensive show by German Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich. Most of my miniature sculptures are from behind in the spirit of Friedrich. See more here.
READ
Love Letter to a Garden by Debbie Millman
I’m so excited about Debbie Millman’s new book about her love affair with gardening. On April 17, Debbie will celebrate 20 years of podcasting Design Matters at Symphony Space in New York City with a conversation about creativity, storytelling, and design, and special guests including Roxane Gay, along with Chelsea Clinton, Suleika Jaouad, David Kwong, Jacqueline Woodson, Krista Tippett, and many more. More info and tix here.
Preorder Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers by Kevin Smokler and Save the Date May 22 for Talk in SF
I was honored to be interviewed for Kevin Smokler's forthcoming book about women filmmakers along with Barbara Kopple, Alice Wu, Cheryl Dunye, Julie Dash and more. I will be part of a book launch event with Kevin on May 22 7pm at Booksmith on Haight Street in SF. Hope to see you at Booksmith and you can preorder the book now.
Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create
Elissa Altman’s searing honesty and humor is always inspiring to read. Her new book Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create will help you write your own memoir. Get the book here.
TheWriteKit
Those of you on here who have written a book know that Liz Dubleman gets it right when she describes it as “like giving birth to a rhinoceros.” Spot on! Liz’s offers authors amazing author support with launching their books with TheWriteKit.com She also helped me figure out Substack so I could send this newsletter. Thank you Liz! She is a joy to work with. Breakfast @ Tiffany’s readers get a 20% discount off her services. Use code tiffany25 for 20% off. Info here.
LISTEN
Let’s Go There with Carla Piñeyro Sublett
Carla and I are both Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute, she is a collector of my artwork, and while we have met each other at big gatherings this was the first time I got to have a deep dive conversation with her. That is the best part about doing a podcast interview; It’s permission to have a nice long conversation with someone, many who you are meeting for the first time, and then other people can listen in. Her great new podcast is “Let’s Go There.” Listen here. We talk art, the state of the world, and the neuroscience of adolescence.
Such a Match from The J.
I love the J. It’s one of the publications I read cover to cover each week about our Northern California Shtetl and I’m loving their weekly newsletter. I’m excited for this new podcast telling the stories of couples who met through The J.’s personals ads.
EVENTS
Women’s History Month Celebration at SHACK15, this Thursday, March 20 in SF
In honor of Women’s History Month SHACK15 at the SF Ferry Building is hosting an afternoon of discussions and comedy. There will be a panel on women’s health, AI and one on art & authors that I’ll be on with artist Heidi Quante, author Elissa Strauss, and author Lauren Schiller moderating. Then a comedy showcase. It starts at 2:30pm, with my panel starting at 5pm, and then comedy at 6:30pm. All info and tix here.
The Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit with Syama Bunten, March 27 in SF
This event in SF March 27th featuring Syama Bunten aims to help women take control of their financial futures. Learn more here.
90th Day Celebration from the Buckminster Fuller Institute, Mar 27-31
When I was young in the 1970s, my father and the neighbors built a geodesic dome in our backyard with a 12-foot hot tub in the center and macrame and hanging plants everywhere. We were definitely “feeling groovy,” and that dome held some of my favorite childhood memories. Buckminster Fuller paved the way. Looking forward to this five-day event celebrating his legacy on our 90th day on the 90th meridian.
Sara Imari Walker: An Informational Theory of Life, Apr 1
This talk by Sara Imari Walker on Assembly Theory hosted by the Long Now Foundation should be fascinating and thought-provoking. Tix here.
JCRC Freedom Seder April 3rd in SF
The Jewish Community Resource Council’s annual Freedom Seder on April 3 is more important and relevant than ever this year. Ken and I will be there and hope you can join us. Tix here.
BAMPFA 2025 Art & Film Benefit, May 10
The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive are Bay Area treasures. This annual fundraising gala is a terrific way to support this institution! This year's event will honor filmmaker Cheryl Dunye and artist Trevor Paglen, with proceeds going to support all BAMPFA programs, especially ones focusing on student engagement. I'm on the host committee with Ken. We have our tix and I hope you can join us! Tix here.
Women’s Power of Giving Luncheon,
May 2
Join the Jewish Community Federation's Power of Giving lunch with special guest Jill Kargman in conversation with one of my best friends Tina Sharkey! They are both very funny NYC Jewesses. This is going to be a fantastic gathering. Friday, May 2nd at the Pearl in San Francisco. More info and tickets here.
Mill Valley Music Festival, May 10-11
Always love the Mill Valley Music Festival! It kicks of summer in my mind. This year’s lineup includes Gary Clark, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and more. Get tickets here.
Jewish Culture Festival at California Academy of Sciences, May 15;
Save the Date
Value Culture is producing and curating a Jewish Culture Festival on Thursday May 15th, 2025 from 6pm-10pm (21+) at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. This event will celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month Lag BaOmer, and the first ever SF Jewish Week. Enjoy music, comedy, food, art, speaking panels, and more. Ken and I will be speaking there with one of our new artworks, and there will be music performances from Kosha Dillz, So Called, and others. Save the date. Tix link coming soon!
Redwood on Broadway in NYC
Broadway. Redwoods. All in one! I was introduced to the producer of the new Broadway musical, Redwood, because of our shared passion of the lens of trees to tell stories. I am heading to NYC soon and will definitely see it. Have read great reviews!
WATCH
Mrs. Robinson with Project Dandelion
The Dandelion Project will help you host a screening for this important film about Mary Robinson’s fight for climate action.
JOLT Films
My executive producer, mentor, and dear friend Geralyn Dreyfous is behind Jolt, an incredible new way to experience documentary films. So glad she and others are making this happen. Check it out and be sure to watch Zurawski v Texas, a very important film about reproductive rights. Please watch.
Ladies and Gentleman . . . 50 Years of SNL Music
I know it feels like we already experienced the 50 year anniversary of SNL…but if you haven’t yet seen the documentary film from Questlove about 50 years of SNL music, it’s fantastic! The first eleven minutes will blow your mind. Watch here.
Paint Me a Road Out of Here
This documentary feature about the artists Faith Ringgold and Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter was co-produced by my dear friend Tanya Selvaratnam. Love Faith Ringgold’s work and can’t wait to see this film.
October 8
This important film directed by Wendy Sachs, about the explosion of antisemitism after October 7, will be in select theaters nationwide starting March 14; see the full list of locations here. It is currently the #1 documentary in America.
OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage on AMC
OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage follows my friend artist/activist Whitney Bradshaw as she photographs women mid-scream in cathartic group sessions where long-silenced stories conjure rage, sorrow, and joy. I participated in one of her powerful Outcry sessions when we were in DC for Dendrofemonology on the National Mall. The Athena Film Festival has partnered with AMC+ to stream OUTCRY in its “Future of Film: Athena Rising Stars” collection from March 14 - April 12 for Women's History Month.
Circle
If you love dance and film, this stunning, evocative, 6-min film is for you. It’s a fascinating short directed by Phillip Kaminiak that links city living with the circle of death. It will blow your mind. Watch here.
SF Film Festival, April 17-27
The annual SF Film Festival always features an amazing lineup. Be sure to catch Jen Gilomen’s The Chaplain & the Doctor about allies who form an unusual partnership, working to bring humanity and healing to a broken healthcare system.
Skin of Glass
In Denise Zmekhol’s fascinating documentary, she explores what it means when her father’s architectural masterpiece in Brazil is occupied by unhoused people. Attend a screening followed by a Q&A with Denise Zmekhol at Hillside Club, Berkeley, April 9 - 7pm.
OTHER
Mill Valley Wildfire Evacuation Drill, Apr 26
I know readers on here are from all over the world, but there are people who also live in my hometown of Mill Valley. On Saturday morning, April 26, the City of Mill Valley will hold a community-wide Evacuation Drill to help residents prepare before a real emergency strikes. This is your chance to practice evacuation in a low-stress, real-world scenario—so when it’s time to go, you and your family are ready.
Read Arron Neal’s Op-Ed: To Resist, It’s Essential to Rest
Arron Neal, a colleague from many moons ago, just wrote to me that she read my book 24/6 in January and it has inspired her to do a day without screens from Friday to Saturday since. She is a columnist for the Montreal Gazette and just wrote about how in order to “stay sharp to thrive, suss out the lies, we need a day of rest.” In these days where they are trying to flood our minds into inaction, we must take a day each week to rest, regroup and recharge for the other 6 days. Yes! You can read her column here.
The New San Francisco Flower Market
The San Francisco Flower Market has moved to Potrero Hill and is now open. A building full of flowers is the only thing better than a field of them.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers
Since we are in this moment where flowers are starting to bust out everywhere, I’ll leave you with my mixed media lightbox artwork, The Earth Laughs in Flowers 2 of 4. The title is from one of my favorite Emerson quotes.
To spring, flowers, staying together and fighting for what we believe in,
Tiffany
Always enjoy your newsletters so much. Thank you!!!!
Hi Tiffany! Welcome to Substack. I've been here since December and my substack is "From There to Here." Great to get your newsletters here now! Warm hugs!