California College of the Arts gala celebrating the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. raises nearly $1.1 million

San Francisco, CA—May 22, 2025—California College of the Arts (CCA) celebrated the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. as the 2025 honoree at its annual gala, held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The event grossed nearly $1.1 million for student scholarships. Organized by co-chairs Stanlee Gatti and Kimberlee Swig, the gala honored Brown’s enduring civic leadership and his lasting impact on the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Mayor Willie Brown is a visionary whose leadership and decades of service have helped shape San Francisco into the vibrant city it is today,” said CCA President David C. Howse. “His commitment to education and creative excellence reflects the core values we uphold at CCA. We’re so honored to celebrate his contributions and raise funds to support student scholarships through this year’s gala.”

Mayor Brown has been a powerful advocate for public service, social justice, and the arts. As a former two-term mayor of San Francisco and Speaker of the California State Assembly, he is known for his bold leadership, deep civic commitment, and support for cultural and educational institutions. For over four decades, he has shaped California policy on civil rights, tax reform, economic development, health care, affirmative action, and education.

The event was emceed by radio personality and former San Francisco Giants public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon. A video message from Governor Gavin Newsom congratulated Mayor Brown on being honored. Additional remarks were delivered by Diane B. Wilsey, who spoke about Mayor Brown’s inspiring achievements and impact on the Bay Area. The program concluded with a video highlighting the importance of supporting student scholarships at CCA.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda came to show their support for the college. Leaders of major art and education organizations who attended include Thomas P. Campbell, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Catharine Clark, Catharine Clark Gallery; Lisa Dolby Chadwick, Dolby Chadwick Gallery; Kate Eilertsen, diRosa; Ali Gass, Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco; Cheryl Haines, Haines Gallery; Candace Huey, re.riddle; Gary and LeShelle May, UC Davis; Wendi Norris, Wendi Norris Gallery; Jessica Silverman (MA Curatorial Practice 2007), Jessica Silverman Gallery; and Monetta White, MoAD.

Among the many notable designers, architects, artists, curators, and writers in attendance were John Bankston, Sarah Bird (MFA Fine Arts 1994), Daniele De Iuliis, Julia Goodman (MFA Fine Arts 2009), George Jewett (BArch Architecture 1996), Lisa Jo, Annie Morhauser (BFA Glass 1979), Woody De Othello (MFA Fine Arts 2017), Jasmine Probst (MBA Design Strategy 2013), Lawrence Rinder, Lava Thomas (BFA Ceramics 1999), Sarah Thornton, and Steve Wiesenthal.

Major cultural and societal figures of the San Francisco Bay Area included former CCA President Stephen Beal, Pam and Larry Baer, Joachim Bechtle, Lorna Meyer Calas and Dennis Calas, Jack Calhoun and Trent Norris, Roselyne Chroman Swig, Wayee Chu & Ethan Beard, Dagmar Dolby, Stanlee Gatti, Amanda Minami, Carl and Yurie Pascarella, Paul Pelosi, Sarah Wendell Sherill & Stephen Sherril, Kimberlee Swig, Susan Swig, Michelle Tai, Marv Tseu & Mary Mocas, Diane B. Wilsey, Robin Wright, Salle Yoo, Sonya Yu, and Mary Zlot.

Event details: CCA’s 2025 gala was co-chaired by CCA Trustees Stanlee Gatti and Kimberlee Swig. The evening featured decor by Stanlee R. Gatti Designs and included a cocktail hour with libations by San Francisco-based cocktail bar Rye on the Road; a jazz performance by Bay Area Jazz & Soul; a seated dinner by McCalls Catering & Events; and remarks by Stanlee Gatti and Diane B. Wilsey.

Past CCA gala honorees include Jack Wadsworth (2024), Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein (2023), Roselyne C. Swig (2022), Sir Jony Ive (2021), Lorna Meyer Calas (2020), Wayne Thiebaud (2019), Kay Kimpton Walker (2018), David Kelley (2017), Stanlee Gatti (2016) and M. Arthur Gensler, Jr. (2014).

About CCA’s Scholarship Program

Nearly seventy-eight percent of CCA students receive scholarships and financial aid. The college firmly believes that an excellent art and design education is only made possible with the inclusion of diverse persons and perspectives on campus and that financial barriers should never prevent any talented, committed student from enrolling at CCA. To achieve this goal, CCA dedicates significant institutional resources to need-based aid, with the scholarship fund being its highest fundraising priority.

About Willie L. Brown, Jr.

Two-term Mayor of San Francisco, legendary Speaker of the California State Assembly, and widely regarded as the most influential African-American politician of the late twentieth century, Willie L. Brown, Jr., has been at the center of California politics, government, and civic life for an astonishing four decades. His career spans the American Presidency from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush, and he’s worked with every California Governor from Pat Brown to Arnold Schwarzenegger. From civil rights to education reform, tax policy, economic development, health care, international trade, domestic partnerships, and affirmative action, he’s left his imprint on every aspect of politics and public policy in the Golden State. As Mayor of California’s most cosmopolitan city, he refurbished and rebuilt the nation’s busiest transit system, pioneered the use of bond measures to build affordable housing, created a model juvenile justice system, and paved the way for a second campus of the University of California, San Francisco, to serve as the anchor of a new development that will position the City as a center for the burgeoning field of biotechnology. Today, he heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr., Institute on Politics and Public Service, where this acknowledged master of the art of politics shares his knowledge and skills with a new generation of California leaders.

About California College of the Arts

Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) educates students to shape culture and society through art, architecture, design, and writing. The college offers a rich curriculum of 22 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs taught by a faculty of expert practitioners. Located in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, CCA uniquely prepares students for lifelong creative work by fostering social and environmental responsibility, innovation, and community engagement. Graduates are highly sought-after by companies such as Pixar, Apple, IDEO, and Google, and many go on to launch their own successful businesses.

CCA’s newly expanded campus adds 82,300 square feet of space to teach, make, and present art in a continuous indoor-outdoor environment. Designed by world-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang, the new addition, completed in fall 2024, brings together 30 academic programs and disciplines, student housing and dining, and interdisciplinary learning.

Media contact