LFGB 2026 Was a success!
With your support, we raised over $88,000
at Looking Forward, Giving Back 2026!
Thank you to everyone who came out to Looking Forward Giving Back 2026! It was a another packed house with over 300 people in the room showing up for First Exposures in a major way.
With your support, we beat last year’s totals in ticket proceeds, fund-a-need donations, and auction sales, with over 85 fabulous pieces finding new homes.
A special thanks to Frish Brandt for being our guest speaker and inspiring our young people in the crowd, to Itzel Perez, Sid Nambiar, and Ty Banks for sharing how being in FX has left a mark on them, and to Dr. George Okpamen for captivating the crowd as our emcee for the evening!
And finally, so much appreciation to all of our artists, volunteers, host committee, board, and staff for making this event such a success!
Image credit: LFGB photographs by Rikki Ward and Shaan Bawja
Join Us For Looking Forward, Giving Back 2026!
We invite you to celebrate with us at SOMArts Cultural Center for our annual capstone exhibition, fundraiser, and in-person silent auction. Join us for an evening of photography, music, and community.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
6-9pm PST
SOMArts Cultural Center
934 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
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Event Will Include:
Silent auction of stunning photos by our mentees, mentors, & community of artists
Delectable Hors d’Oeuvres
Premium beer and fine wines
Our very own photobooth
Presentations by First Exposures mentees and alumni
Remarks by special guest artist Frish Brandt
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Event tickets are sliding scale from $75 for general admission* to $5000 for premium ticket packages. We also have tickets for $40 for community members. Tickets include entrance, hors d’oeuvres, and premium beer & fine wines.
*General admission will be $85 on May 7th
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Enjoy the evening and support local artists and bid on artwork made by mentees, mentors & our community of artists.
If you can’t join us in-person, the Silent Auction will be online for mobile bidding throughout the day and event. BID EARLY, BUY-IT-NOW, or BID TILL THE LAST MINUTE to own a new piece of artwork!
Bidding Starts Fri May 1, 2026 (10am Pacific)
Auction Ends Thur May 7, 2026 (8:30pm Pacific)
(Winners will be notified by email.) -
Your support will directly impact First Exposures’ efforts in sustaining a safe, vibrant, & transformative space for our young people.
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Interested in volunteering with us for the event?
2026 LFGB HOST COMMITTEE
Courtney Norris
Kari Orvik
Rachel Phillips
Daniel Plotnick
PJ Policarpio
Trina Michelle Robinson
Ari Salomon
Gordon Szeto
Jane Timberlake
Taylor Walker
Connie Wolf
Vivian Chan
Diane Chung
Judy Dater
Renée Decarlo
Dave Elfving
Alexander Goodwin
Mark Haffenreffer
Gene X Hwang
Ann Jastrab
Chris McCaw
Michelle Montoya
Miriam Mendoza Moody, Chair
Photograph by Henry, age 17, 5th-year mentee
2026 LFGB SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Frish Brandt
President Emerita of Fraenkel Gallery
Stanford Distinguished Career Institute (DCI) Fellow
‘Letter Midwife’
Bio
Frish Brandt is President Emerita of the internationally recognized Fraenkel Gallery. For over 45 years, she played an integral role in the evolution of photography from craft to ‘art.’ Working with artists, curators, collectors, and the public, she engaged in deep and purposeful conversation, finding art to be a medium for exchange rooted in life, love, loss, wonder, relationships, and mortality.
Art was the medium of meaningful conversations. Then, in 2014, while still deeply engaged with the gallery, Brandt created her practice as a letter midwife. Initially working with people in palliative care and hospice, the audience grew. While a diagnosis is a catalyst, sharing what is most meaningful can benefit everyone.
Brandt graduated from the gallery in 2024 and turned her attention entirely to her practice as a Letter Midwife. She currently teaches Lasting Letters and the Art of Deep Listening at Stanford Medical School and has brought her practice to places such as the Harvard Divinity School, Zen Hospice Project, Stanford Hospital, Commonweal, Sun Valley Center for the Arts, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Your Questions, AnsweredStill have questions? Reach out anytime.
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Visit our ticketing page below for individual tickets or premium ticket packages.
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Absolutely — we are always looking for sponsors! Please email our Development Associate, Jaime Wong at jaime@firstexposures.org.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly!