Join us this Friday, April 4th, from 5 PM to 9 PM for a unique evening of art, culture, and community at the First Fridays ArtWalk SJ in downtown San Jose’s SoFA District (& beyond!).
This free, self-guided event features an incredible lineup of art exhibitions, performances, and live music in the city’s most iconic galleries, museums, and historic theatres. Explore everything from cutting-edge contemporary art to diverse cultural showcases while connecting with amazing artists and our creative community.
Bring your curiosity and your friends to ArtWalk SJ on April 4th and see how art can inspire you and connect us all.
SoFA District
ANNO DOMINI // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 S. First St. map
On view in galleryONE:
Divine Intervention
Vermin Graffiti by Dale vN Collins (Ireland)
Dale Collins, an internationally recognized contemporary artist based in Ireland, bridges the gap between negativity and positivity through his art. His work explores the tension between despair and hope, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences and the story of Vermin, an infamous graffiti artist from 1990s Bristol, UK.
Collins’ latest series, “Divine Intervention,” channels subconscious energies through intuitive mark-making techniques, embedding layers of graffiti tagging poetry as a transformative force. Each piece begins with a central horizontal line, rooted in Vermin’s iconic graffiti tag, and expands through improvisation. The artist blends influences from Impressionist masters with the raw energy of Neo-Expressionism, reflecting the concept of divine intervention where instinctive creativity transforms pain into beauty.
The artwork serves as both a personal meditation and a tribute to resilience, honoring Vermin’s voice while manifesting positivity. Collins’ practice becomes a process of reconciliation and healing, creating a space where minds, stories, and struggles collide in an effort to transform and transcend the lingering shadows of mental illness. For Dale, art is not merely expression; it is a process of healing, connection, and transformation.
Dale Collins holds a BA honors in fine art from Coventry University, UK, and is a former student of the MA abstract painting program at California State University, Long Beach, CA. His upcoming solo exhibition, “Divine Intervention,” at Anno Domini features his most intense works to date.
On view in galleryTWO:
Raison d’Etre Anick Langelier (Canada)
Anick Langelier (b. 1981) is a self taught, intuitive artist living and working in Montreal, Canada. Anick Langelier began painting on a steady basis at the age of 16 to cope with her experiences with BPD. She was first strongly driven by her love for the classic painters of the impressionist, expressionist and surrealist movements. Over the years she has emerged as a true original talent with her own signature style that she refers to as “literary figuration”, and could be associated with the larger movement called “art brut”.
Anick Langelier has a corpus of over 500 paintings all crammed in the four rooms of her father’s apartment in Montreal. She literally lives for her art and only stops when she’s short of canvases and paint. She has a wonderful way of depicting strange universes full of people, existential quests, the idea of God, good and evil and the dreamy-haunting worlds of childhood. She’s also inspired by classic masterpieces like “Le Cri” from E. Munch, Goya’s “Tres de Mayo”, Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” or “L’Angelus du soir” from Jean-François Millet and sometimes renders her own version with mesmerizing effect.
“… and it took a long time before I understood that I was searching for true and unique things and one day on earth I discovered the Bible which spoke of heaven and hell and also of the path to God at the end of one’s earthly life I was obsessed with this hell and the sublime happiness and death…” ~ Anick Langelier
Langelier has shown in several galleries in Montreal & Danville in Quebec, Canada, as well as in Geneva, Switzerland and Paris France. Langelier has also been featured in the Biennale Internationale d’Art-Hors-Les-Normes in Lyon, France, the International Museum of Naïve Art in Magog, Quebec, Canada and the Museum of Outsider Contemporary Art (MOCA).
Raison d’Etre at Anno Domini is her first exhibition in the United States.
KALEID Gallery – 320 S. First St. map
Rewired
Jonathan Kermit solo exhibition
As a long time collector of urban flotsam, I have always been attracted to the cast offs, the leavings. For the past 15 years, bits of discarded, twisted, rusty wire have provided the basis of my work. These salvaged fragments have been stepped on, run over, rained on and buried.
Using subtle manipulation, I intuitively, often without a preconceived plan, shape the wire into smooth organic forms. I incorporate a myriad of papers and imagery, along with metal objects and the occasional rusty hippo.
This exhibit features mostly new work along with a handful of favorite older arrangements and several reworked pieces—I love recycling my own work.
About the Artist:
Jonathan Kermit is a self-taught, mixed media artist based in San Jose whose creative journey is deeply intertwinedwith the serendipitous discoveries of everyday life. Jonathan’s practice is characterized by spontaneity and a profound connection to the environment around him.
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 S. First St. map
Opening reception: 2025 Latinx Art Now! Exhibition
MACLA’s annual curated exhibition surveys the very best of contemporary Latinx art from the Bay Area and beyond. Over 30 Artists with works ranging from sculpture and paintings to mixed media, that celebrate the diversity of Latinx arts and culture and reflect current issues and perspectives. The exhibition culminates in a live art auction, MACLA’s signature fundraising event, May 17.
FREE performance at our Castellano Playhouse:
Join us at MACLA as we celebrate Mujeres, Música y Puerto Rico with Batey Tambó. Experience the power of bomba, the Afro-Indigenous rhythm and dance of Puerto Rico, in an evening of live music, movement, and cultural connection. Led by Oakland percussionist Denise Solís, founder of Las Bomberas de la Bahía, and Julia Caridad Cepeda, from Puerto Rico’s renowned Cepeda family, Batey Tambó is a women of color-led collective dedicated to preserving and innovating the bomba tradition. Come ready to dance, learn, and immerse yourself in the energy of bomba. Batey Tambó is performing two free 45-minute sets April 4 starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Batey Tambó
Opera San José at California Theater – 345 S. First St. map
Join Us for Zorro First Friday – April 4th!
Experience an unforgettable First Friday filled with music, art, and community at Opera San José! Throughout the evening, enjoy live performances, interactive exhibits, and festive treats as we celebrate the excitement of Zorro.
Event Highlights: Opera Singers Performance: enjoy powerful arias from our talented opera singers. The Mighty Wurlitzer: live organ performances by Jerry Nagano. Local Color Art Exhibit: explore stunning local artwork inspired by Zorro and California. Community Art Table: create your own origami poppy flower to take home. Popcorn & Drinks: complimentary treats available all night. Step & Repeat: capture the moment with a themed photo opportunity.
Phantom Galleries at The Pierce – 2 Pierce Ave. map
Phantom Galleries is proud to present:
Beyond Borders Natasha Kramskaya Solo Exhibition
Ukrainian-born Californian artist Natasha Kramskaya’s first solo exhibition Beyond Borders, showcases a broad collection of vibrant paintings ranging from portraits to abstracts.
Cultural identity, kindness, and the fragility of life are central to Natasha’s work, reflecting the human experience in its most profound forms. In her recent works, Natasha explores the fusion of ancient symbols and traditions with contemporary elements and unconventional colors, creating a unique visual narrative.
Recurring motifs of sunflowers, both realistic and stylized, symbolize Ukrainian resistance and appear throughout her work, embodying strength and resilience. Natasha creates a unique blend of Ukrainian heritage and contemporary American art. Her ability to balance realism and abstraction offers viewers a captivating visual experience that transcends cultural boundaries.
Meet Natasha Friday, April 4th during the ArtWalk from 5pm–9pm.
Phantom Galleries Mural Project – San Carlos btwn S. Market & S. 2nd St.
Urban Abstractions
featuring artists: Apexer, Emoventur, Force129, Joey Reyes, Gwen Marcado-Reyes, Poesia and NoA–
Seven amazing artists have been painting “Urban Abstractions” murals on the sidewalk planters at the south gateway to SoFA District. These works are a signal to the passersby that we are an arts and culture district with galleries, music venues, residents and businesses that foster creativity and care about inspiring community well being. Stop by and check out this great project by Phantom Galleries in partnership with San Jose Downtown Association.
San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art– 560 S. First St. map
Mary Morse, Inside Looking Out(side Looking In), Installation view, needle felted wool, brass, dichroic acrylic, acrylic paintings on canvas, Courtesy of the Artist.
Opening reception: “Who ‘Am’ I Without You?” Pt 1
On April 4 First Friday the ICA San José will launch the exhibition “Who ‘Am’ I Without You?” Pt 1 in collaboration with San José State University (SJSU). In addition to their solo thesis exhibitions, San José State University’s (SJSU) MFA Candidates participate in a group exhibition and collaborate with MA Candidates in Art History and Visual Culture to create the annual, “LiftOff” Catalogue. The ICA will be showing their works in two separate presentations, the first beginning on April First Friday April 4. The first six of the twelve artists seamlessly blend their personal experiences and identities into their work while connecting to a rich and nuanced range of social, cultural, and political issues of a global community in the 21st century. The artists include Erin de Jauregui, Andrew Marovich, Mary Morse, Timna Naim, Samantha Saldana and Chelsea Stewart.
Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa: Blood Be Water
In his first solo institutional exhibition, Blood Be Water, Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa the ICA San José presents an immersive installation featuring new airbrushed paintings, charcoal drawings, oil pastels, and ceramics.
San Jose Jazz – 310 South First St. map
SJZ Break Room Jazz Jam
Join us for a showcase of youth talent and an all-ages jazz jam at the SJZ Break Room, in collaboration with S. First Fridays! SJZ U19s perform at 5:40pm, Michael Webster Quartet performs at 6:20pm, and the open jazz jam goes from 7–9pm.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles – 520 South First St. map
sustainABILITY by Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)
How do we balance humanity’s needs and desires against preserving our planet for future generations? This question is at the heart of sustainABILITY, which addresses some of today’s most pressing environmental issues, such as the effect of plastic pollution on our oceans and the immense amounts of waste generated by the fast fashion industry.
All of the artwork, in some way, illustrates our complex interconnectedness with nature. Some pieces expose the ugly and often unnoticed impact of our present way of life; others capture the essence of what makes our world so beautiful, reminding us of the irreplaceable treasures we could potentially lose forever.
Historic District
Chopsticks Alley Gallery – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Lành: A Healing Journey
Participating artists: Angelina Melchor Nguyen, Jayann Bella, Jonathan Perea, Hang Huynh , Hargun Mahal Mann, Lailani Africa
A vibrant tapestry of personal narratives, each piece reflecting a unique vision of healing. Through diverse methodologies—spanning traditional, experimental, and everything in between—our artists reveal the varied and winding paths they’ve traveled to mend, restore, and transform. May their works inspire you to explore, reflect, and uncover your journey toward healing.
Hammer2 Gallery – 101 Paseo de San Antonio map
Perspectives
Featuring: Carlo Ricafort, Tovah Cheng, Dani Torvik, Peter Moen, Josie Lepe, Ian Fabre
The Hammer2 Gallery features a rotating display of artwork by San José State University alumni. The current exhibition brings together the work of five alumni artists: Carlo Ricafort, Dani Torvik, Peter Moen, Josie Lepe, Tovah Cheng, and Ian Fabre. These artists explore work in a variety of media, including watercolor, oil paint and mixed media, and diverse subject matter, including personal identities, cultural symbols, family history and abstract forms.
Works/San Jose – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Community Art Auction
South First Fridays ArtWalk is the final preview night of the Community Art Auction!
You can preview and bid on the work of 115 local artists in the areas most accessible and eclectic art auction. Bidding or not, the Auction exhibition is a survey of San José to Bay Area talent not to be missed. Final daytime viewing is Saturday, April 5 noon to 4pm and the exciting Auction night starts 6pm with bids closing at 7pm. Visit Works on First Friday for info and register to bid and attend the Auction! See previews at link to Works’ website. Auction proceeds support your community artists and your community art space! Build your local art collection!
Martha Gardens District
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 S. Sixth St. map
Closing reception: Loss and gain; text isle
featuring artists: Chelsea Stewart, Robin Dintiman, Sha Sha Higby, Stella Zhang, and Keith Evans
This exhibition and the evenings of performances aim to expose in the gallery movement space, human processing, and process healing with textiles like bandages. The performances and exhibition inhabiting differing temporal aspects.
MACHU PICCHU Gallery of the Americas, Est. 1974 – 199 Martha St. map
The History of the Peruvian Poncho by Indigenous Master Weavers
The Peruvian textile art is one of the oldest in human history. Ancient civilizations of present-day Peru long before the Incas have woven ponchos in the multicolor fibers made of wool, vicuña and alpaca, including other natural yarns dyed with colors acquired from plants or other organic materials from nature.
The poncho is used by the man. It has an opening for the head and worn like a long tunic. Some ponchos are woven so finely that it is used as a raincoat. When not worn, the poncho is used as a blanket.
Some ponchos are multicolored. Others are made of natural colors of the alpaca or sheep wool, browns, tans, and even black. Regions are recognized or distinguished by the styles and the colors of the ponchos. About 1,000 years before Christ, finely woven ponchos were used to bury the dead for the afterlife.
Some archeological researchers have found that the ponchos geometrical designs have historical significance because they tell the history of celebrations, lineage of the rulers, and even tragic events by Indigenous leaders who fought for independence from Spain. An old Peruvian poncho will be exhibited including one from Ecuador.
“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story” -Mason Cooley
FIRST FRIDAYS ArtWalk SJ is produced by CURATUS in partnership with the participating galleries, museums and independent creative businesses.
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South FIRST FRIDAYS
366 S 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-271-5155
info@southfirstfridays.com