JOIN US for the next South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk on February 7th from 7–11pm. RSVP

The South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is a self-guided evening tour through galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses featuring exhibitions and special performances.

NEW EXHIBITS…

• Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 South First St. map

  

  Opening Reception: I Stand for Sacrifice new works by Bill Dunlap (NY/MD)

  The exhibition’s title I Stand for Sacrifice is from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice and the enigmatic author is a near daily inspiration for Dunlap. Each of Dunlap’s paintings are a motivation: paintings by old masters, internet pornography, Appalachian quilts, how he feels and what he’s thinking day to day influence the progression as he works on them. “I think pictures are best when they’re like poems,” says Dunlap, “boiling things down to the rarest essentials.” Color and texture pop from the solitude of the black backgrounds giving the viewer a clue to the story but never a clear answer.

• KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

  
  Rey Giese, Gilmore Oil Co., 1936

  Opening Reception: Rey Giese: Painting the Town Since 1935

  In tribute to San Jose signpainter Rey Giese (1919-2013) KALIED is proud to host a major exhibition of hand-painted signs by the late master of the lettering brush, spanning over 75 years of Bay Area history in partnership with the Giese family.

  In addition to Rey Giese originals, a dozen contemporary signpainters carry on the tradition with several recreations of Giese designs. Featured artists: John Barrick, Lacey Bryant, Orly Cukui, Ken Davis, Bob Dewhurst, Jim Gardner, Rachel Giese, Abel Gonzalez, Benjamin Henderson, Jesico Serrano, Damon Styer, Lorna Sulgit, John Truong.

• San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles – 520 South First St. map

  
  Janet Lipkin, Hommage to African Quilt, 2003

  Metamorphosis: Clothing & Identity

  Comprised of approximately 60 pieces, Metamorphosis will chart the development of the Bay Area Artwear movement starting from the original Levi’s “Denim Art Contest” of 1973 all the way through the works of contemporary designers. The exhibition showcases work by influential founders of the Artwear movement, each with their own recognized technique and aesthetic. These artists include: Jean Cacicedo, Marian Clayden, Kaffe Fassett, Ellen Hauptli, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Ina Kozel, Janet Lipkin, K. Lee Manuel and Yvonne Porcella. Other artists included in the exhibit are: Isaac Amala & Liz Simpson, Michael Cepress, Angelina De Antonis, Ellen Hauptli, Laura Raboff, Carol Lee Shanks, Nancy Yodelman, and Wendeanne Ke`aka Stitt.

  
  Selection of vintage pot holders c. 1940 – 1960
  From the Collection of Kathy Murphy

  Tasty, too!

  Tasty, too! highlights a few of the remarkable quilts from the 1999 exhibit and catalog Women of Taste, A Collaboration Celebrating Quilt Artists and Chefs (C&T Publishing). Included are Alice Beasley’s Bette’s Diner, Mary Mashuta’s Mixed Greens, and Cherries 3 by Miriam Nathan-Roberts. One large wall is completely covered with over 80 vintage to new pot holders. These utilitarian objects each with a food related subject provide a glimpse into our collective delight on the subject of food, eating, and cooking.

  Fiber Shots! A complementary exhibit is the small scale 16” x 16” food related quilts created by artists in our community responding to the Tasty! theme and challenge. Donated to the museum these quilts are available for sale at $100 each to raise money for the museum’s programs.

  Meet & Make: Join SF Etsy member Armani Mondragón in celebrating Valentine’s Day with Folk Art Nichos. In Mexican folk art, Nichos, or shadow boxes, come in all sizes – even tiny matchbox sizes making wonderful heartfelt gifts. They can be personalized for any holiday or occasion, and Armani has created her own pattern to simplify covering the outside with beautiful decorative paper. Armani Mondragón is the owner and artist behind Retablos, named after the Mexican iconographic art form. Her work stands on the cusp of Mexican Folk Art and a dream world of what was, what is and all the maybes in between.

• Seeing Things Gallery – 30 North Third St. map

  
  Let’s Meet In The Middle! A Series Of Work By David and Ana Carolina Imlay

  Ana Carolina Pesce-Imlay is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator. She was born in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and spent most of her young life on a farm in Botucatu where she quickly discovered her passion for art. Influenced by her grandfather who was a designer and illustrator, drawing became a very important part of her life.

  David Imlay’s approach to painting draws influence from twentieth century American Contemporary Realism as well as Photorealism which both emerged in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Artists such as Robert Bechtle, Richard Estes and John Register utilized a straightforward approach to representation which continues to be widely practiced in these post-abstract eras.

  In his paintings of urban and suburban landscapes, the artist often asks the viewer to make a personal connection to the perceived stillness and isolation of commonplace locales. His usage of warm light and limited color are meant to conjure an emotional dissonance tinged with nostalgia and hope.

  “I try not to be too specific in my work and choose commonplace subjects that we see everyday but don’t necessarily ponder over. A cafe, phone booth or quiet street-these are all places we’ve been to or seen before and can easily relate to.”

• Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

  
  Two Birds by Noah Zimmerman

  The (Anti)Valentine Show

  The (Anti)Valentine Show returns with a wide range of artists (un)inspired by romance. Viewpoints range from just a little less than love to all-out war; from the painfully real to outrageous fantasy. Many pieces will be available for purchase—perhaps as a gift for your own (anti) valentine!

• ZERO1 Garage – 439 South First St. map

  
  Way-finding San Jose, Simon Geilfus (AntiVJ), Video Simulation still

  ZERO1 Fellowship/x
  Featuring: Cecilia Galiena, Simon Geilfus (AntiVJ), Paula Levine, Daniela Steinsapir

  Tapping a new source for disruption and recognizing the inherent innovative power of the artistic process, ZERO1 launched its Fellowship Program one year ago. The inaugural class of Fellows was presented with individual innovation challenges and have spent the past year researching, prototyping and producing outcomes in response to their respective challenge. From a cooperative urban experience, to a new messaging app; from a web platform facilitating social practice art to an unveiled presence of public network connections, ZERO1 is proud to present the results of these Fellow’s year-long journey. Come down to the ZERO1 Garage and discover each of the Fellows’ unique responses to their innovation challenges.

• Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

  
  

  Opening reception: UnSettled: Recent work by Yori Seeger, Dana Harris & Betsy Barnum

  UnSettled will transport you to a world where dreams meet reality. The show at Art Ark Gallery delves deeply through memory, storytelling, and the unique way the mind exists simultaneously in history and the present. UnSettled explores the work of sculptor Yori Seeger, and printmakers Dana Harris and Betsy Barnum. Much of the work is collaborative, overlapping three dimensional with two dimensional, and encouraging viewers to take a step off solid ground and become UnSettled. Live Music by: Deborah Barba

• Discover San Jose – 150 South First St., Suite 103 map

  
  

  Discover San Jose presents An Evening in Italy, featuring the romance and flavor of this beautiful European destination, brought to you by local authors, artists and photographers, including: Kathleen Ann Gonzalez, author of “Free Gondola Ride, A summer with the men behind the Mystery” and “Seductive Venice, In Casanova’s footsteps.” Kathleen will also be showcasing her color photography of Venice. Marco Zecchin will be displaying his black and white prints, accompanied with his book, “The Spirit of Northern Italy.” Gioia Company is now at Discover San Jose, featuring elegant and whimsical Italian masks, jewelry, art and products created by local artisans, along with Brigantino Olive Oil: exquisitely flavored olive oil from trees imported from the Tuscany Region of Italy and grown locally. And finally, A taste of Italy, featuring Bel Baccio Italian Café, the finest caffe Italiana in the South Bay. Their signature drink Cremena and other Italian sweet treats will leave you longing for more! Come join us for a trip to Italy in the heart of downtown San Jose.

• Downtown Yoga Shala – 450 South First St. map

  
  

  Opening reception: Downtown Yoga Shala is proud to feature returning Bay Area artist, Allegra Bick-Maurischat with her solo exhibit, Three S’s, new works on wood, fabric and canvas. By rendering everyday textures through meticulous, photo realistic detail, these works draw the viewer into an abstract experience that revels in form, tone and line.

• Pho69 – 321 South First St. map

  
  

  Opening reception: Phantom Galleries presents JOURNALS by Gianfranco Paolozzi

  Marking on surfaces moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.

• Silicon Valley Music Festival at Sliding Door Company – 355 South First St. map

  
  Anna Maria Mendieta

  The Silicon Valley Music Festival now in its third year is thrilled to be collaborating with South FIRST FRIDAYS to promote and enhance the cultural community in which we live.

  Anna Maria Mendieta is a renowned local musician and Principal Harpist of the Sacramento Philharmonic. Please join us in welcoming her to San Jose when she performs during the February 7th Art Walk.

  
  One Thousand Thousand Project by Jason McHenry

  Also on view will be Jason McHenry working on his goal of one million paintings through his One Thousand Thousand Project.

• Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

  
  

  The Studio Rock Gym presents Recent Paintings by Al Preciado

  Preciado is a teacher, artist and curator (SEED and Influences exhibit as well as the upcoming Shelter exhibit at the at the Citadel). This exhibit will feature a range of watercolors, paintings, drawings and sculpture from the past year.

• TechShop San Jose – 300 South Second St. map

  

  Artist Kat Russo is a recent graduate of Colorado State University with a BFA in drawing. Past work has included pieces that focus on anatomy and environment, with an emphasis on the way that the human body interacts with, and contains similarities to, the outside world. Her current work highlights the use of computerized fabrication and is a great example of the amazing work one can get done with computerized machinery.

CONTINUED EXHIBITS…

• Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery – 499 South Market St. map

  
  

  For February, we present new works by members, instructors & friends. Our holiday show was just too good to put away! Browse a dazzling spectrum of styles from pottery to highly decorative work, sculpture and raku-fired ceramic jewelry. Kids are invited to ice & decorate their own cupcakes (edible, non-clay variety) while you browse the latest creations in our gallery! Yum… You & your family are invited to play in the clay too. Let your creativity flow at the clay table, or test-drive a potter’s wheel — no license required!

• MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 South First St. map

  
  Viviana “Viva” Paredes, From God to Profits, 2013. Glass, corn

  MAIZE Y MAS: From Mother to Monster?

  This group exhibition explores the unique heritage of maize in the Americas and illustrates this crop’s journey from pre-Columbian times to today: once a sacred staple associated with a mother/virgin figure, today an engineered product which many compare to a monster. Work by Yvonne Escalante, Yolanda Guerra, Fernando Mastrangelo, Viva Paredes, and Jorge Rojas.

  

  8-9:30 pm Music performance by CADO Local musician Cado plays his electic mix of R&B, bossa nova, and jazz.

• Phantom Galleries – 95 South Market St. map

  
  

  Phantom Galleries present Astra Inclinant, non Necessitant by Jesse Cupp

  Jesse explores the vastness of space in abstraction, from varied vantage points. Some works depict nothing but the all-encompassing firmament; other show space from a more terrestrial point of view, perhaps a familiar scene from your life.

  Culturally, we often have extreme relationships with the stars, giving them far too much power or not nearly enough. Some believe they offer unerring predictions of our lives and futures, and leave their lives to fate, resigned to the inevitability of all events. They are afraid to enact change in their lives, for they already know their own efforts are useless. Others live in a world of artificial lights and gadgets, never looking up to the heavens for perspective. These consumers hold fast to the idea that they are the masters of their own fate, control their own destinies, and cling to the self. To look into the night sky, raw and unveiled by urban light pollution, would strike terror into the heart. A single human life pales in comparison to the eternal brilliance of the stars, becomes little more than a mean wraith’s fleeting shadow. These Egoists are afraid to leave even a little of their lives to fate, for doing so would shrink the importance of the self.

  What makes a healthy view of the stars? Reflect upon them, balance the fact of their towering, fearful greatness with the feeling that you, in all your smallness, do matter. The stars make up the universe, but you make up your own universe. Reflect on yourself, and balance the fact of the agency you exercise in your own life with the feeling that external forces can and will affect your life in ways beyond your control. Discover the relief of giving up some of that control to friends and family, and embrace your human connections. Fall back to the middle ground, where life is less certain, but has more truth. The stars incline; they do not determine.

  

  Phantom Galleries, in partnership with DigitalView, presents the DOTMOV Film Festival

  DOTMOV is a digital film festival organized by Japan’s online magazine “SHIFT”, aiming to discover unknown talented creators and provide an opportunity to show their works. A total of 206 works from 18 countries were submitted this year, and of those submitted, these excellent 20 works were selected for the festival by prominent guest judges. This year’s festival takes place in multiple cities around the world, Phantom Galleries is proud to be one of only three hosting venues in the U.S.

• Cafe Stritch – 374 South First St. map

  

  No Walls Between Us: An Exhibition of Jazz Photographs by Kathy Sloane

  Work culled from over 30 years of jazz photography by Kathy Sloane, including images from her 2011 book Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club.

• Caffé Frascati – 315 South First St. map

  First Fridays is Caffe Frascati Opera Night presented by First Street Singers, with the Bay Area’s finest opera singers performing your very favorite classical arias and duets live in the cafe!

• Psycho Donuts – 288 South Second St. map

  
  art work by John Cloud

  Psycho Donuts in downtown San Jose is a quirky donut shop and art gallery. The gallery displays top local artists and has an ongoing exhibit featuring the work of John Renzel, Lacey Bryant, Nicolas Caesar, Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Michael Foley, Michael Borja, Valery Milovic, Carlos Villez, Eric Joyner, Laura Callin Bennett, John Hageman and Robert McColley!

• South First Billiards & Lounge – 420 South First St. map

  
  

  On the UP features artists Lucia Blea, Steven Benson, Mario “MGer” Guitron, Nick Giannini. Photographers: Randy McKendry, Georges Monceaux. And music by Chris Reed, w/ special guests Aivar, DJ 7e!shak