Marin Open Studios arts organization welcomes new leader

Kina Lamblin likes to think her late mother, professional painter Electra Long, “is shining down on me in this job.”

“It feels like a connection with her in this work,” said Lamblin, 56, of San Anselmo, who took over as the new executive director of the nonprofit Marin Open Studios on Jan. 1.

Lamblin, a sculptor, former lawyer, education nonprofit founder and board director, was selected from a field of about 20 applicants by the Marin Open Studios board of directors, said Jonah Burlingame, board president.

“There were several factors that stood out about Kina,” Burlingame said. “Being an artist was incredibly appealing — also her experience working with boards and nonprofits. Beyond that, she is articulate, professional, organized, kind and a fantastic listener.”

Before assuming the top post this month, Lamblin trained for six weeks with painter Kay Carlson, who retired last year as executive director after about three decades on the job.

“It was clear that Kina was the person that Kay could feel comfortable handling the reigns of the organization,” Burlingame said. Carlson agreed.

“She is an amazing perfect fit for Marin Open Studios,” she said. “A lovely human being.”

Marin Open Studios showcases more than 260 Marin artists at its annual gallery show at the Sausalito Center for the Arts in late April. Then, for the first two weekends in May, members of the public may visit the personal studios of the artists who exhibited at the gallery to view and purchase more of the pieces they enjoyed at the show.

Carlson, the late sculptor Tim Rose and Ross philanthropist and Presidio Theatre board chair Peggy Haas co-founded Marin Open Studios in 1993. They transferred it three years later to the Marin Arts Council, which was then the official Marin County art organization.

Rose, a Sausalito resident, died in 2008. When the Marin Arts Council dissolved in 2012, the two remaining founders spearheaded a revival of Marin Open Studios, with Carlson as its executive director.

Haas has continued to provide support to the organization, even while being a driving force in the restoration and transformation of the historic San Francisco Presidio Theatre over the last decade. Haas was executive producer of the recent Panto — or pantomime — show of “Peter Pan” at the theater.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting her, for many reasons,” Lamblin said of Haas. “One is her big founding and ongoing support of Marin Open Studios, and the other is her Presidio Theatre, which I am impressed by. It’s wonderful.”

Lamblin said she is thrilled to put forward a new plan for expanded outreach of the organization — including adding more public art events and fundraisers beyond the annual April gallery show and May open studios weekends.

“What is amazing about Marin is the natural beauty and the people,” said Lamblin, who came to the county 18 years ago. “But also I think an essential part is the art and the music. These are the core elements of what makes Marin the amazing place that it is.”

In the fall, the group finished organizing two five-weekend gallery shows of 100 artists each at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.

“This is the beginning of what we’re going to be doing more,” Lamblin said. “Which is bringing art out into the community throughout the year.”

Another new gallery show will open in February at the offices of Marin Community Foundation in the Hamilton area of Novato, Lamblin said.

“It’s an amazing space for art,” she said.

Burlingame said the board was aligned with the expansion plans.

“We have heard from many people throughout the county that they feel compelled to greater focus on community and local issues,” he said. “I believe MOS has the permission and duty to expand its reach to strengthen ties within the community, given its mission and legacy. The main obstacles to this important work will be resources, of course.”

Shiva Pakdel, executive director of the Sausalito Center for the Arts, said she believes Lamblin is the right person in the right place at the right time.

“I think Kina’s personality, her business experience, her knowledge of the nonprofit space, and the fact that she is an artist, is exactly the right combination and qualifications that helps transcend MOS into a premiere and dynamic art organization in 2025 and beyond,” Pakdel said.

“What stood out to me when I met Kina is her enthusiasm, her energy and charm, and her knowledge of nonprofits and the arts,” she said.

Sunila Bajracharya, a sculptor who has a studio at Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, said Marin Open Studios has had a major influence in her life after she came to the county in 2006 from Nepal.

“I saw the hand painting,” she said of the signature MOS hand-shaped logo that is posted at the entrances to open studios and gallery events. “I said, yes, I can do that.'”

It took her until about 2022 to get her studio and then be listed in the Marin Open Studios guidebook that goes out to the public at the April gallery show with the other 260 artists.

Carlson, who mentored Bajracharya, introduced her to Lamblin.

“Oh my god, I can see it right away that she’s on top, and she’s very open — and she’s a sculptor as well,”  Bajracharya said of Lamblin. “I’m excited about that.”