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SONDRA BERNSTEIN aka 4EVERKURIOUS Sondra Bernstein, renowned in Sonoma for her culinary ventures, has added back “artist” to her resume and in the past few years has embarked on a remarkable journey as a digital artist, embracing the world of AI and the metaverse. Known in the art community as 4everKurious, Bernstein is showcasing her lifelong passion for creativity and innovation in a completely new light. After a successful 40-year tenure in the hospitality industry, Bernstein has reconnected with her roots in fine arts photography, a field in which she holds a bachelor’s degree. This transition marks a significant shift from her role as the proprietor of the girl & the fig, the fig café & winebar, and other ventures, to a focus on digital and AI-driven art. Bernstein’s exploration into the digital art realm is not just a personal pursuit but a collective journey as well. She is an early member and curator for an international art collective known as SearchLight, a platform that shines a spotlight on unseen artists. In addition to her curatorial role, Bernstein is a prolific creator and collector, contributing to and advocating for the growing field of AI art. In January 2023, Bernstein took on the role of resident artist at the girl & the fig, transforming the space into a gallery where her digital art is displayed year-round. A generous portion of the proceeds from her art sales is dedicated to supporting the Sonoma FIG Foundation, underscoring her commitment to giving back to the community that has been an integral part of her journey. In late spring, 2026, Bernstein starts a new chapter with the opening of her physical digital gallery called PROTO.logue DIGITAL in Sonoma. Bernstein’s work is a testament to the evolving landscape of art in the digital age, challenging conventional notions and embracing new technologies. Her journey is a vivid example of lifelong learning and adaptation, proving that creativity knows no bounds. A Chronicle of Inspiration and Evolution. Since college, photography has been her language of art. She focused on what could be seen through the viewfinder, creating art from reality and capturing moments in time. Sondra never altered her photographs to create visuals from something that wasn't there. However, the thought of absurd fantastical beings, surreal and dreamlike imagery, and finding ways to create new worlds always intrigued her—she just didn’t know how to make it happen. Then came AI art, bringing with it a new way for her to express the stories that bounce through her mind. Having only been creating AI art for the past three years, it has been a journey of discovering what is possible and exploring the available technology. It has also been a thought-provoking time, as she navigates the controversy surrounding AI. In the beginning, Sondra experimented with everything—art techniques, artist styles, use of color, transparency, intentional motion, and texture. About six months in, she revisited many of her photography files and started incorporating them into her AI art, whether as full images or just snippets of color, design, and texture. She wanted to intentionally include a piece of her original art DNA into each work she created. Since then, she has produced hundreds of images and collections, each generation influencing the next. She believes her role as an artist depends heavily on her ability to curate herself and her subject matter. In the world of AI, the struggle to be original and offer a new perspective is real. Sondra often dashes from one subject matter to another, testing new techniques and styles before moving on to the next. Sometimes it feels like her attention span is quite brief.  Press & Features

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Donations for or greater than $250 to the Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund may be mailed to Community Foundation Sonoma County Sonoma Fig Foundation Fund 120 Stony Point Road Suite 220 Santa Rosa, CA 95401 or made directly through the DONATION button below Sondra Bernstein Sonoma Fig Foundation Fund RECENT GRANTS Art Escape Bauman College Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Ceres Community Project Face To Face Sonoma County Hanna Boys Center Hawaii Community Foundation Homeward Bound of Marin Kitchen Table Advisors La Luz Center Latinos Unidos del Condado de Sonoma Pet's Lifeline Redwood Empire Food Bank Slow Food Sonoma Valley Sonoma Arts Live Sonoma Community Center Sonoma Family Meal Sonoma Immigrant Services Sonoma League for Historic Preservation Sonoma Overnight Support Sonoma Plein Air Foundation Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund Sonoma Valley Community Communications Sonoma Valley Education Foundation Sonoma Valley High Boosters Club Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance Sonoma Valley Unified School District Sweetwater Spectrum Teen Services Sonoma --- updated 2.06.2026 Sonoma Fig Foundation Fund The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund is a donor advised fund, established in December, 2016 by Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of the girl & the fig restaurant in Sonoma, California. At this time, the Fund is offering grants to nonprofit organizations which assist in funding for food, farming, art, community and education. Originally, the Fund offered grants to nonprofit organizations which assist in funding for start-up entrepreneurs in food, farming, food media, wine and spirits, restaurants, artisanal food production, or new projects for existing businesses. As of 2023, Sondra has added art requests due to her current work. WHY? Sondra Bernstein created the Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund in 2016 for many reasons, but most of all to share the passion she has felt as an entrepreneur over the past twenty years. It all started with a dream and a goal. She set her sights on a desire to feed, entertain, and make people happy by showing them a good time and serving them delicious food, prepared well, in a fun environment. What transpired over the following twenty seven years became something much larger; a company with over 200 employees, two restaurants, a catering company, a food truck, two books, a product line and a pop-up space. These all started as ideas and there were many more; some worked, some didn't - but you must start somewhere. The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund wants to help make that start possible. 25% of all proceeds from the purchase of art at the girl & the fig will be donated to the Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund. Just one artistic way you can show the love to the future of art and culinary innovation! If you feel Sondra's passion, you may be inclined to contribute to the Fund with or without purchasing her limited edition ART. We won't say no, especially because of the personal impact we can help create together! GRANT PROCESS Request for Proposals The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund invites proposals throughout the year and awards grants to New Business Projects that have a complete business plan, are at least 75% funded, and will strengthen the culinary, agriculture, and viticulture communities through their endeavors. These are grants for future entrepreneurs. The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund also invites proposals throughout the year and awards grants to Existing Businesses with New Project Ideas. Eligible Requests We support projects that have a focus in the culinary, agriculture, viticulture, art, photography and related fields. Applicant must meet the following criteria: Project must be related to culinary, agriculture, viticulture, but not limited to food production, education, invention, hospitality, restaurants, food trucks, brewing, distilleries, food media, farming, seed saving, art projects, public art, art education … Application Contents for New Businesses Your application must include: Cover letter, Narrative with project description, Mission Statement Full Business Plan, Key Staff, Five Year Profit & Loss Budgets List of other current funding and sources Description of how funding will be used Support letters or endorsements (maximum of three) Application Contents for Existing Businesses with New Project Idea Cover letter, Narrative with project description, Goals and objectives

Sondra Bernstein's Portfolio Website, Digital Artist, AI collaborated, photography, collector and curator.

projects For more than three decades, I’ve created spaces where food, culture, and community intersect — from restaurants and pop-ups to catering ventures, podcasts, cookbooks, food trucks, and lodging experiences. Each has explored hospitality as a form of gathering and creative exchange. Alongside my ongoing art practice, my current focus centers on PROTO.logue DIGITAL — a curatorial platform exploring digital art, photography, and evolving creative ecosystems within a hospitality setting — and our newest restaurant, Dead Letter — a dining concept rooted in story and seasonality, where food and design converge in an immersive experience — opening soon. MY PROJECTS For more than three decades, I’ve created spaces where food, culture, and community intersect — from restaurants and pop-ups to catering ventures, podcasts, cookbooks, food trucks, and lodging experiences. Each has explored hospitality as a form of gathering and creative exchange. Alongside my ongoing art practice, my current focus centers on PROTO.logue DIGITAL — a curatorial platform exploring digital art, photography, and evolving creative ecosystems within a hospitality setting — and our newest restaurant, Dead Letter — a dining concept rooted in story and seasonality, where food and design converge in an immersive experience — opening soon. Dead Letter — a space for gathering, conversation, and the stories that travel between table and wall. Opening Late Spring, 2026 Get on the list. the girl & the fig (circa :: 1997) is located on the NW corner in the beautiful Sonoma Plaza and features an antique bar with French aperitifs, unique and traditional cocktails, an award-winning Rhône-Alone wine list, a seasonal menu, cheese & charcuterie platters, and outdoor garden patio seating. Poppy is a love letter to this community— to the stories we’ve told, the meals we’ve shared, and the many more to come. The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund is a donor advised fund, established in December, 2016 to offering financial assistance to nonprofit organizations which focus on food, farming, art, community and education.