JOIN US for the next South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk on February 6th from 7–11pm. RSVP

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

NEW EXHIBITS…

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

  

  Opening Reception: Taco de Ojo by Latino Toons Collective

  Latino Toons is a Latin American collective of comics, art and poetry with collaborators from the Rio Grande all the way down to Tierra del F­­uego. Influences stem from underground comics, street art, indigenous art, and various forms of counter-culture. They embrace a diversity of styles and backgrounds as a heterogeneous group of proponents of the line. Their varied works reflect a collective interest in an experimental approach towards both the subject matter and technique employed in generating a dialogue that seeks to transcend borders and boundaries.

  Taco de Ojo is the name of their self-published anthology, and this exhibit, both of which showcase the best work from the collective. Taco de Ojo is slang for “eye candy,” and is synonymous with “getting an eyeful” in Spanish. The Latino Toons Collective aims to serve a meal for the mind and eyes with flavors from all over Latin America.

  Featured Artists: Enid Balam (Cuernavaca, Mexico), Muriel Bellini (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Matías Bergara (Montevideo, Uruguay), Miguel Det (Lima, Peru), André Ducci (Curitiba, Brazil), Charles Glaubitz (Tijuana, México), Raúl III Gonzalez (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico/El Paso, USA), Tomás Ives (Santiago, Chile), Luto (Cali, Colombia), Cristian Mallea (Moron, Argentina), Marcelo Mosqueira (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Juan Nava (Mexico City, Mexico), Rita Ponce de León (Lima, Peru/ Mexico City, Mexico), Javier Medellin Puyou “Jilipollo” (San Luis Potosi, Mexico), Jorge Pérez Ruibal (Lima, Peru), Marco Tóxico (La Paz, Bolivia), Renzo Vayra (Montevideo, Uruguay) and Oscar Zalles (La Paz, Bolivia).

  Music by El Otro Mundo

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

  
  

  Artist’s reception: Cave-Kiln Man by Shawn Felts

  Home-brewing, cooking, wood-working, gardening and 5th century pottery – all modern-day obsessions of Shawn Felts, San Francisco potter. Shawn’s ceramic art works are fired for 30-90 hours in an Anagama (literally ‘cave kiln’). This February we feature Felts’ rustic, wood-fired works – born out of holiday firings at the Spring Valley Anagama & Noborigama kilns located in Milpitas, CA.

  Wood ash from the kiln builds up on the surface of each piece during the firing, creating unique glazes, blushing, flashes, and textures. Each piece is literally one of a kind and can not be re-produced exactly even if Shawn wanted to. The clay, firing, type of wood used, and placement in the kiln could all be repeated, but the kiln would still choose to “glaze” and fire the piece differently.

  Artist reception and exhibit debut will be held in conjunction with the South First Friday Art Walk. Shawn will be on hand at 8pm to discuss wood-firing in Anagama & Noborigama kilns. He will also demonstrate how to make flasks and oversized, large bowls.

• KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

  Two new feature exhibitions by KALEID resident artists: Michael Borja, and Fernando Amaro, Jr.

  
  

  Artist’s Reception: Electric Constellations new works by Michael Borja

  In 1917, Marcel Duchamp bought a porcelain urinal and submitted it to an exhibition organized by the Society of Independent Artists. Duchamp’s “Readymade” caused a lot of controversy over what is considered art. “He took an ordinary article of life, placed it so that its useful significance disappeared under the new title and point of view…created a new thought for that object.” (‘The Richard Mutt Case’, The Blind Man, New York, no.2, May 1917, p.5.)

  Mike Borja’s new body of work will consist of a readymade that most people are familiar with; the electric socket. To Borja, the socket is a symbol that represents the energetic world we live in. He hopes to awaken new thoughts and questions by using an object that almost everyone connects to: Are we all connected?

  Borja’s art is made in the energy grid of Silicon Valley. His art comes from a deep place in his mind where his imagination runs wild. His creations are like an aquarium to his mind.

  
  

  Artist’s Reception: once upon a time… new works by Fernando Amaro Jr.

  Inspired by Amaro’s past & present surroundings, once upon a time… is a new body of work that features his signature narrative style applied to paintings, mixed media on wood panels, photography, character studies, recycled jars with succulents and a site specific installation.

  Amaro (aka“FORCE129”) currently lives & works in San Jose, CA as an artist & freelance designer.

• 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 towns where i became what I am.” ~Gianfranco Paolozzi

• Seeing Things Gallery – 30 North Third St. map

  
  

  Opening Reception: Companions, a 20 artist group show curated by Kayvon Siadat, showcasing multiple pieces from each artist that go together by narrative, theme, or style to represent a “companion piece” of each other.

  Participating Artists: Beau Roulette , Billy Barnes, Brendan, Colin Frangicetto, Derek Erdman, Deth P. Sun, Drew Roulette, Eric Victorino, Gavin Hayes, Giovanni Giusti, Jayde Fish, John Baunach, Kirstin Farr, Martin Machado, Michael Hsiung, Mr. Harada, Porous Walker, Sabrina May, Tony Papesh, Travis Lawrence

• Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

  
  art by Scotty Gorham

  Artist’s Reception: #MUFATRAFOM (Modern Urban Follies and the Rise (and Fall) of Man) by Chrysta Giffen (photography), Kristen Tae Jones (video), and Scotty Gorham (sculpture/new media)

  Video, sculpture, new media, and photography are combined to make connections between decadence and decay through the lens of materiality and body. The question: in this new digital world of flat and imaginary space, can (and should) we transcend our bodies and exist in the “new” multiplicity of the Real?

• ZERO1 Garage – 439 South First St. map

  
  

  Artists’ Reception: ReBioGeneSys – Origins of Life by Adam W. Brown and collaborator Robert Root-Bernstein

  ReBioGeneSys – Origins of Life is a hybrid installation that combines sculpture, chemistry, alchemy, and conservation to evolve an extreme minimal ecosystem.

  What if one could create a sculpture that actually could become alive? The question of biogenesis remains one of the biggest philosophical, spiritual and scientific enigmas. Drawing on experimental research from scientists such as Darwin, Oparin, Haldane, Miller, Deamer and Szostak, ReBioGeneSysGeneSys combines all the research on origins of life into one “mashed-up” environment that could theoretically lead to the formation of self-organizing chemistry necessary to produce semi-living molecules, protocells and perhaps even biological life itself.

• Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

  
  artwork by Christine Oliver

  Silicon Valley Open Studios “Sneak Preview”

  Silicon Valley Open Studios is an organization of artists in the bay area that are fluent in all mediums of art from painters to photographers to 3D. The participating artists are innovative and emerging on the scene with fresh new ideas and wonderful new works to share. This preview is an opportunity to see some of their art and meet the artists prior to the Open Studios held in the first three weekends of May, 2015.

  Participating artists:
  Lisa Babbitt, Rebecca, Bangs, Leanne Bouwer, Trudi Burney, Jerry Carpenter, Gabriel Coke, Angela Cunningham, John Ediger, Marianne Eichenbaum, Liz Fennell, Yvette Head, Yvonne Head, Marilynn Host, Susannah Jackson, Leslie Lambert, Jim Lee, Alyssa Levitan, Oleg Lobykin, Stephanie Maclean, Daniel McLean, Dana Nehdaran, Dariush Nehdaran, Christine Oliver, Karen Olsen, Mohana Pradhan, Christine Rasmussen, Sally Rayn, Bill Sarnoff, Yelena Shabrova, Edwin Simon, Anthony Stenberg, Janet Trenchard, Nancy Woods, Helen Yang

• Circle-A Skate Shop – 108 Paseo de San Antonio Walk map

  

  1980’s Pics by Derf

  The 80’s skate punk culture had its own style, San Jose stood on its own, I’m very proud to have been a part of it and DERF was there to take some pics! This show is guaranteed to bring you back. Vinyl will be spun and stories will be shared. Music by: DJ Bs

• Downtown Yoga Shala – 450 South First St. map

  
  Dwell, acrylic and metallic pigment on canvas, 48″x30″

  Join us after Candlelight Yoga (5:30-7pm) as we open our doors to welcome the Art Walk patrons and the downtown community. Our featured artist is painter, mother, yoga practitioner and volunteer Melissa Kreisa who helps new refugees adjust to life in the Bay Area. Proceeds from the exhibit will benefit local non-profit organization, Refugee Transitions (www.reftrans.org)

• First to Market Restaurant – 399 South First St. map

  
  

  A View of the Bay by Janean Lovins

  Janean Lovins is a 2006 San Jose State University graduate with a BS in Photo Journalism. She enjoys photographing nature and landscapes, sports, concerts and other special events.

• Sliding Door Company – 355 South First St. map

  The Sliding Door Company and Highrises.com invite you to come see our fabulous artists for the South First Fridays Art Walk.

  
  

  Photographer: Edward Nowak

  I’ve built a career in industrial sensors and controls, a field that I greatly enjoy. But my passion for photography was kindled in high school when I joined the camera club, used a 35 mm film SLR for the first time, and learned how to use the dark room. As a young man I acquired my own gear and studied everything I could about making good photographs. My passion waned for many years until about two years ago when I decided to seriously explore digital photography. My passion has bloomed anew, and it’s been very satisfying to apply modern imaging technology to the fundamentals I learned long ago. I seek to make images that evoke a positive emotional response, that are genuinely pleasurable to look at, and that are technically proficient. And since I have a good mechanical aptitude and I’m particular about details, I also love making my own large prints in both color and black-and-white. I live in a high rise condo in downtown San Jose, from which I have photographed several gorgeous sunrises and dramatic sunsets. As one person commented in reaction to one of my online photos, “Who knew that San Jose could look so good?” It’s very satisfying to be able to share my vision of the natural and manmade beauty we have here.

  
  

  Artist, Supraja Kolluri & Shishyia Art

  “Shishya”, a Sanskrit word for students, symbolizes the wealth of knowledge and skills one can gain through formal education. ShishyaArt creations is Dedicated to benefiting underprivileged children in India by helping them obtain an education. All profits from each painting sold are donated to ventures in Inda that are striving to give impoverished rural children a strong education to ensure bright futures. Shishya Art Creates encomapss many forms of art, from paintings to other decorative items like picture frames.

  
  

  Also we are excited to add a new artist this month

  James ‘Solo’ Taylor is an up and coming artist with years of experience but very little exposure. His works have been compared to M. C. Escher due to his use of optical illusions, incredible detail and his focus on black and white pieces. All of the artwork has been created in California, most of which was done here in San Jose.

• Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

  
  

  Artist’s Reception: Stone Paintings by C. Buck Reynolds

  Before the written word, there was art. What was it for? We’ll never know for sure. In some ancient art we can still find meaning today—lions stalking prey, galloping horses, a group of antelope—but many other symbols have wide open meaning. I try to assemble the animals and symbology that were so important to our ancestors in fresh ways. Some of my paintings are new compositions based on cave and rock art, others attempt to make deteriorating images from actual rock walls look as they might have freshly painted.

  I have been creating and showing art throughout the bay area for over 35 years, and have been researching, and experimenting with cave art for the last 20 years. I spend hours at the stone yard, hunting for unique colors and textures of stone, looking for the forms of animals or people that lie in them. I shape the rock with a hammer and chisel. Once I’ve roughly shaped a stone, I rub it with another stone to smooth the surface and edges, brighten the colors, open the pores and give the stone a weathered ancient feel. I use the same painting techniques that paleolithic artists used, although my paintings are smaller than the originals for portability. I use the same earth-based pigments, and carving techniques and constantly explore ancient art imagery and symbols, trying to recreate ancient communication and images from nature on stone.

• TechShop San Jose – 300 South Second St. map

  

  Opening Reception: Simply Strange by Sarah Cade

  This exhibition is a series of eerie portraiture which balances beautiful elegance with gruesome imagery. By intersecting many mediums, including illustration, collage, printmaking, watercolor and acrylic paints all within custom built and decorated frames I hope you find and enjoy the intricacy and decadence of my strange portraits. Through the many layers and textures, the rich darkness and bold colors, I present to you San Jose, Simply Strange.

  Growing up in the dark and mysterious forests of the Alaskan tundra, in almost complete isolation from popular culture, I remember my childhood as the stuff of Grimm Fairytales. I would often find myself comparing my favorite fairy tales and stories to my adventures within these settings. Longing to return to the innocence of the past within those ominous locations, I began using various mediums to construct fantastical scenes. I hope to portray a whimsical reality and transport the viewer into a disquieting adventure. My pieces allow me to reshape the world around me and view it through the veil of strange and sometimes gruesome beauty. My favorite stories were always those that contained dark and sinister dangers meant to frighten and disturb.

• Third Space Fitness – 550 South first St. map

  

  Opening reception: Erik Bakke: A Site Specific Installation for ThirdSpace

  The exhibition is a series of interrelated paintings, banners and objects created for display in ThirdSpace. The works have as their origin Bakke’s studies into numerous topics including the early communities of California; the dawn of the quantum age; society’s creative and self-destructive impulses; and the historical quest for peace through balance.

• Vyne Bystro – 110 Paseo de San Antonio Walk map

  

  Artist’s Reception: Essence by Jose Castañeda

  The work of Jose Castaneda is a series of drawings made with pencil and charcoal over paper and canvas. Behind the portraits or the figurative drawings, he intends to conceptualize humanism. It is the depiction of human emotion and the essence of an image. The artist tries to create a connection with the viewer by an emotional impact. For Jose drawing with pencil and charcoal is not only a medium but a concept.

CONTINUED EXHIBITS…

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

  
  

  MACLA presents, Chicana/o Biennial, an exhibition and public forum to reflect on the critical edge and aesthetic interventions within contemporary Chicano art.

  Work by Juana Alicia, Carmen Argote, Jesus Barraza & Melanie Cervantes as Dignidad Rebelde, Adriana Garcia, Wayne A. Healy, Ester Hernandez, Judithe Hernández, Miguel “Bounce” Perez, Tony de los Reyes, Celia H. Rodriguez, Sonia Romero, Alex Rubio, Shizu Saldamando, Ana Serrano, Patssi Valdez, and Linda Vallejo.


  
  

  Music Performance: 
Loco Bloco, is an inter-generational performing ensemble that combines African, Brazilian, Latin, hip-hop and funk music and dance, creating a high-energy presentation with infectious visuals and sounds. Join us in welcoming them during South First Fridays in the Castellano Playhouse.

• Pho69 – 321 South First St. map

  
  

  Phantom Galleries presents Through the Ground Glass photography exhibition by SJSU Advance Photography Students at Pho69 Restaurant.

  The prints in this exhibit were created by students in photography instructor Barbara Boissevain’s Advanced Photography class at San Jose State University who spent the semester in a traditional wet darkroom.

  The students explored a range of subject matter including everything from classical approaches to the landscape to studio portraiture. They also explored a range of camera formats including large format 4″ X 5″ cameras as well as medium format cameras. All the prints in the exhibit were printed in a traditional wet darkroom from film negatives.

  The title of the show was chosen because students spent a significant amount of the time this semester looking “through the ground glass” of their 4″ X 5″ view cameras where the image appears on the back of the camera upside down and backwards–presenting a unique and challenging learning experience for photographers who have grown-up in the digital age. The students in this class met this challenge head-on and have created a body of work that is of a high quality both technically and conceptually.

  Participating Photographers: Barbara Andrews, Karen Borg, Nathanael Bryant, Meliza Celeridad, Ryan DiBiase, Christopher Dubois, Hirania Gonzalez, Desirae Guerrero, Yuanlei Huang, Jason Montoya, Megan Nunes, Ben Reha, Casey Ruiz, Lauren Saba, Matthew Velia, Sarah Wells, Robert Wilcox, and Jialun Zhang

• 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

  
  Artwork by Valery Milovic

  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!