JOIN US for the next South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk on October 3rd 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

  

  Artist’s reception: In the Cave We Dance Joseph Loughborough (UK) solo exhibition

  Emerging from his studio, Joseph Loughborough proudly presents his latest body of work In the Cave We Dance, his second solo exhibition with Anno Domini Gallery. This title conjures the image of Dionysian human forms in darkness, perhaps circling and lurching around a fire or light of some kind. These new artworks echo and distort these visions of a primal gathering with a twist from a more recent episode of art history. Joseph draws upon iconography and themes evocative of the decadent period of Berlin (particularly theatre and film of the 1920’s) as a vehicle to explore Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in which our subjective perception of reality is questioned.

  The rendering of the pieces fluctuates between expressive mark making and a critical layering of gold leaf into flat geometrical compositions. The gold mirrors the embers of the blaze whilst charcoal functions as a perfect opposite to encapsulate and enhance the metallic glint. Gold is often regarded as an opulent colour, an over indulgence whereas charcoal is perhaps one of the humblest of artists materials. Aesthetically, black and gold complement each other as values of the unknown and illumination, adding to the dichotomy of this juxtaposition. They are used on an ambitious scale in this series which delves into the catacombs of the human condition.

  Joseph Loughborough (b. 1981) spent his formative years exploring the derelict boatyards and creeks of Portsmouth on the south coast of the UK. After graduating from Portsmouth University he pursued interests in art, philosophy and skateboarding culture living in London, Paris and currently Berlin.

  Dark wave ambiance provided by DJ Mr. Smith.

  

  On view in galleryTWO: The Bride Series by Cake (Brooklyn, NY)

  Jennifer Caviola, aka “Cake” is a fine artist that focuses on public space as platform to express her support of all women with a voice of solidarity. Communicating through portraiture, women’s curves become sharp lines that in an architectural sense, propel a feeling of strength, power and vulnerability.

  This particular volume of paintings: The Bride Series, is a result of a lost marriage, which left her wondering who she was and what she could do to reclaim herself. Cake painted every day into the night for five months straight until the series was finished, and each Bride carried her closer to a healed heart.

  Caviola has a BFA in Painting from Pratt Institute and a MFA in Fine Arts from the Parsons School of Design. She has been featured in the Huffington Post, Complex Magazine, Vogue and High Fructose Mag just to name a few. She was recently featured at a recent panel discussion on Street Art at The Brooklyn Museum for her mural in the Bowery that she made in conjunction with FAB NYC and Many Project. The artist resides and works in Brooklyn, New York.

• KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

  KALEID Gallery is pleased to present two new feature exhibitions by our resident artists, Michael Foley and Jeffrey Andrade Hemming.

  
  

  Stories
  solo exhibition by Michael Foley

  Stories is a collection of new works by Michael Foley depicting various aspects of daily life told from our world and beyond.

  Michael Foley is a self-taught bay area freelance artist who creates deceptively layered pieces of work. Hidden underneath the saturated colors and cartoon-like imagery you find mature works looking deeply into the human condition. These works often have a sardonic tinge to them, questioning various aspects of our society and challenging these norms while attempting to create work that appears light-hearted on first viewing.

  Since 2013, Michael’s work has been going through changes in regard to of subject matter and technique. Peeling away the humor and showing a style he withheld for too long, becoming much more introspective. These works tend to deal with issues of insecurity, loss, betrayal, rejection and hope. 2014 shows this style growing ever more.

  Foley has shown in various galleries and private exhibits in the United States as well as internationally.

  
  

  FLow and FLux
  solo exhibition by Jeffrey Andrade Hemming

  There is a balance I find in the act of painting, an elusive consistency that is both intriguing and complex. My process is responsive and while my paintings have a start and end point, the discovery of these points is always varied. I am influenced by a world in constant change. The condition of impermanence has a great effect on my work. These recent paintings are inspired by the transient chaos of change, the ability to adapt, and the fleeting need for balance. ~Jeff Hemming

  Jeff is an maximalist painter from the Bay Area. His paintings delve into a flux of chaos, harmony, technology, abundance, and waste all at once. The concepts behind his work come from our everyday associations with things being constructed and neglected including physical elements like buildings and landscapes to the more enigmatic such as cultural traditions, memory, and social structure. His paintings balance somewhere between origins and entropy. There is an organized chaotic feel to his work painted into a labyrinth of color. There are also strong environmental and technological undertones to his paintings. The finished work becomes a source of visual stimulation surveying the relationship between society and our ever changing surroundings.

  
  

  Art is Power: a community project activity by Patrice Milillo.

  Like KALEID Gallery in San Jose, Art is Power understands that, to truly move our world forward, a creative and participatory atmosphere is necessary, and it is with this conviction that we bring to you The Art is Power Blackboard Project. Similar to the Before I Die walls of New Orleans, chalk boards will serve as podiums for dialogue around the question, “What is Powerful about the Arts?” Everyone is welcome to write their personal message and read the responses of others. Please join us from 7-11pm to creating a conversation about our universal penchant for the Arts.

• Phantom Galleries – 95 South Market St. map

  
  

  Phantom Galleries presents: A Journal in 3D – “Marrcord” I Remember by Gianfranco Paolozzi

  “What i remember of those small italian town where i became what I am.” ~Gianfranco Paolozzi

• Seeing Things Gallery – 30 North Third St. map

  
  art work by Murphy Adams

  I’m Living In The Eighties a group exhibition featuring Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Shaunna Peterson, Kat Toronto

  When you think of “The Eighties” what comes to mind? Mohawks, Punk, New Wave, Hip Hop, big hair, Hair Metal, MTV, etc.
  I’m Living In The Eighties is an art show inspired by 80’s icons, fashion and attitudes by Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Shaunna Peterson and Kat Toronto.

• Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

  
  art by Alayne Yellum

  The Public is Personal
  Alexanna Alvarado, Karen Haas, and Alayne Yellum

  Purposefully or inadvertently, what do we show the world as we walk, sit or sleep in public spaces? How are our relationships with partners, friends, or pets, transformed by being in a communal space?

  Alexanna Alvarado, Karen Haas, and Alayne Yellum are artists who explore ways in which psychological and social relationships affect how individuals conduct themselves in public. With our society’s current focus on privacy issues, this exhibition will explore how our privacy is often given up willingly and without thought.

• ZERO1 Garage – 439 South First St. map

  
  Image credit: Karolina Sobecka, Cloud Machine (San Jose launch, 2013)

  Solo Exhibition by Karolina Sobecka

  The opening night of a solo exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist Karolina Sobecka exploring connections between clouds and information technology. In August 2013, Sobecka launched a weather balloon from the eastern hills of San Jose that floated to an elevation of 55,000 feet. Come see video and photographic documentation of its journey, while exploring projects such as Cloud Machine, a personal device for weather modification, the Cloud Collector, a device for collecting cloud moisture, and CloudServices, a proposal for using the atmospheric clouds and the microorganisms in them as the material for data transfer and storage.

• Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

  
  Art Box by Anya Behn

  Opening Reception 6–9pm: In 3-D: Selected Art by Pacific Rim Sculptors Group

  What is the 3rd dimension and why are we willing to pay extra to view a movie shown “In 3-D”? A screen typically gives us images with height and width, but there is something about the 3rd dimension – depth – that draws our attention and makes us feel more involved. It is my intention that the exhibition “In 3-D” conveys that experience to the viewers at the Art Ark Gallery. – Lynne Todaro, Curator.

  All of the sculptures and installation artworks in this juried exhibition have not been shown previously at any venue in San Jose. Artists in the show are from the Bay area and beyond: Anya Behn, Rebecca Fox, Lori Goodman, Peter Hiers, Bette Linderman, Jann Nunn, Kate Ruddle, Ruth Tabancay, Lynne Todaro, and James Watts

  The art was selected by Donna Napper of the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. She has worked in the contemporary art profession for nearly twelve years including seven as Owner and Director of den contemporary, a Los Angeles gallery. Donna has served numerous art organizations, among them ArtTable, a national organization for women leaders in the visual arts, and the Contemporary Craft Council at the Craft and Folk Art Museum. Since moving to the Bay Area, she has served as juror for venues such as Djerrasi Resident Artist Program, Root Division in San Francisco, Silicon Valley Arts Council, and the Office of U.S. Representative Mike Honda, and the Artist Open Studios Tour in Sacramento.

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

  
  

  Discover San Jose’s Artist of the Month: Kevin Chong
  Known for his assortment of beautifully colored glass pumpkins, Kevin Chong is the master glassblower, firing up his furnace, gathering molten glass on the end of a blowpipe, blowing and creating art glass almost magically. Although he has been blowing glass for only a decade, Chong’s talent is recognized and praised by other Bay Area glass artisans. In 2003, Chong combined his glassblowing and neon glass businesses under the name Silica Valley Glass Studio. When Chong gives the name of his studio, many people immediately hear Silicon Valley instead of Silica Valley, which makes him smile. “Silica is one of the ingredients of glass,” he says.

  Live music by special guests: Samurai Gypsies
  Back from the Jazz Festival by popular demand! this Passionate, High-energy, gypsy soul-fire acoustic ensemble takes listeners on an exotic scintillating journey of sensual grooves and wild crescendos you can’t help but move to. Their masterfully rich instrumentation is both complex and precise, gritty and hot. The Samurai Gypsies get their unforgettable sound from the band’s core string virtuosos, Gary Carpenter on guitar and Dany Cobo on violin. Taking music with African, flamenco, Latin, and jazz roots into some deliciously sexy and cerebral places.

  Local food samplings by: Roxanne’s Biscotti
  Hand crafted using only the freshest ingredients available and no preservatives, Roxanne has been making her biscotti for friends and family for over 30 years. A few years ago, she started Roxanne’s Biscotti so now everyone can enjoy them! Come and sample the perfect texture and taste just right for dunking into coffee, tea, or milk and even wine—yes a glass of wine makes an awesome pairing! Biscotti isn’t just for breakfast anymore!

• Downtown Yoga Shala – 450 South First St. map

  
  

  For October’s First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Yoga Shala is proud to feature Rosa Younessi with her exhibit, Colors of Dreams: Landscape and Abstract Art Painted with Colors of Dreams. Using oil on canvas, Landscape, Still Life, and Abstract Expressionism, this exhibit showcases paintings that sink into the imagination of the artist and how she sees, interprets, and translates the colors of everyday life.

  About Rosa: Creative expression holds a natural place in Rosa Younessi’s life. Rosa’s father is a world renowned artist who taught her the most valuable lessons in art. Rosa started painting at a young age with her father’s guidance, and remembers best the lessons of building layers of paint to create imagery or the very first time she was given a canvas to paint on and experiment with oil on canvas. Her development as an artist evolved through her studies in High School and University. She attended Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA and majored in Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition to studying engineering, she participated in exhibitions inside and later outside of university campus and received great acclaim. With her formal education completed, Rosa began the process of establishing herself as an artist. She expanded her studies of oil on canvas, Abstract, Landscape, and Abstract Expressionism. She later traveled to several regions of Europe like Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam, and Venice to gain a better understanding of the European fine art history, and today’s oil painting techniques and methods. Her creative success brought her to California where she now lives and continues to work and exhibit Fine Arts. She has exhibited her art work at several Fortune 100 companies and corporations around the world, and has received great acclaim.

• SoFA Market – 387 South First St. map

  
  

  Come and join us in reliving 50’s swing in celebration of Aedis Architects’ 60th anniversary (est. 1954) and their newly opened SoFA Market, the neighborhood’s newest hangout place! Featuring 50’s swing music & performances by: Mike Quebec & Julissa Onate (7:15pm & 8pm).

  Mike Quebec is an accomplished swing dancer having studied and performed Smooth Style Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, and Balboa since 1995. He is currently a member of The San Francisco Jitterbugs, a swing dance performance troupe known in the Bay Area for their spectacular retro swing dance routines. Come learn swing from Mike and his partner Julissa or simply dance with them. It’s an Art Walkin’-Swingin’ party in SoFA!

• South First Billiards – 420 South First St. map

  
  

  work_spaces presents: STUDIOWORK a pop-up group art show featuring visual artists: Apocolips Artistry by: Lacy Samayoa, Francisco Franco, Ivan T. Gonzalez, Frankie McFly, Sean Boyles, Ariel Wilson, Cristovoe, Randazel, Force129, King157, Mesngr, Viejoel, Wisper, Nifty

  STUDIOWORK is a group art show with 14 selected visual artist picked by: WORK SPACES displaying artwork created in there work_spaces.

CONTINUED EXHIBITS…

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

  
  Image by Hector Hernandez

  UNMASKED
  Work by Hector Hernandez, Dulce Pinzón, Carlos Donjuan, & Rio Yañez
  MACLA presents, UNMASKED, an exhibition on real and re-imagined superheroes.

  
  

  Join us for the Afro-Latin fusion rhythms of YeYe Ensemble in the Castellano Playhouse at 9pm. Comprised of internationally renowned musicians, YeYe Ensemble transforms and unites the music of Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Cuba and Brazil to offer a dynamic performance.

• 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!

Pho69 – 321 South First St. map




Phantom Galleries presents Definitely Not Digital: an excursion into the abstract and surreal by artist Tom Dytko.

“The use of technology to create visual art today has raised the bar for artists working with traditional media. A good digital artist can create images and videos to stimulate the senses in ways those working with the traditional mediums can only dream. As such, we are challenged to create static images that are not easily replicated using technology, to not copy reality, but still solicits and toys with an individual’s eye and thoughts, perhaps stimulating the imagination or stirring an emotion.”

• Psycho Donuts – 288 South Second St. map

  
  Art by Michael Foley

  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 Nicolas Caesar, Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Michael Foley, Michael Borja, Valery Milovic, Carlos Villez, Eric Joyner, Laura Callin Bennett, John Hageman and John Cloud!

• Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

  
  

  Opening reception: Ahhh… by Lucas Nissen
  My art is full of bold colors and shapes. Seemingly random, yet deliberate and intentional. Like my life.

• TechShop San Jose – 300 South Second St. map

  

  TechShop San Jose presents George Bisceglia of Bisceglia Guitars

  Bisceglia Guitars is a small company fabricating beautifully handcrafted instruments to customer specifications. Located in San Jose California, George Bisceglia uses his extensive experience and knowledge of woodworking in addition to extensive Luthier knowledge and skills to create custom guitars that are completely crafted with the highest quality materials available. George continues to strive toward perfection not only in a quality guitar but also toward exceptional tone that you would expect from a fine instrument. His goal with his work is to please his customers by crafting fine instruments that exceed their expectations. George uses TechShop to assist in his design and fabrication. Using the our ShopBot CNC router, George has optimized the carving of guitars to maximize his time and design skill.

  “I started hand crafting guitars from a challenge from one of the finest guitarists that ever lived: Dave Meniketti of the world known band Y&T and one of my best friends. In 2002, after seeing some of my woodworking projects Dave said “why don’t you build me a guitar”. My reaction to that was ” I have no idea how to build guitars. And then I thought I have the woodworking skills to build anything. So for 6 months I got my hands on every guitar building book I could get my hands on and studied the science of building guitars. When I crafted Dave’s guitar, which was actually the second guitar I ever made, and he played it he was blown away by it. It’s now, in his own words, his favorite guitar. His guitar and my AshCourt guitar were the primary guitars used in their new CD Facemelter. Quite an honor to be bestowed on me.”