We’re looking forward to seeing you on September 6th for the FIRST FRIDAY ArtWalk & Street Mrkt in downtown San Jose’s vibrant SoFA District (and beyond!).
The galleries and art hosting venues will be open late (and free of charge) with amazing exhibitions, live performances, and artists in attendance. Plus the STREET MRKT indie urban art faire will transform S. 1st St. into a lively outdoor art gallery full of local artists and indie creatives.
All ages are welcome. Free admission (spend it with the Artists!)
SoFA District
ANNO DOMINI // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 S. First St. map
Exhibition Opening: Live at Buff Hall Works and Outtakes 2020–2024
Rafal Karcz (Poland) Solo Exhibition
I was born in Kraków, Poland, in 1969, and I have lived here, with some interruptions, throughout my life. My serious engagement with art began in 2007/2008. Initially, I immersed myself in painting and printmaking, focusing on linocut and woodcut techniques. Over time, my interests expanded to photography and experimental processes related to it, including graphic interventions in photo prints. While these interventions aren’t entirely my invention, they are inspired by drawing, which I hold in high regard, much like the old Renaissance masters. My journey has taken me through graphics, drawing, and photography.
I utilize various media for drawing, including pencils, markers, pens, and occasionally watercolor stain. I’ve always been drawn to images with distractions and blurs, as opposed to the so-called clear images associated with advertising and glamour. This preference led me to experiment with mechanically erasing print layers, and later, chemistry became part of my process when a chemist friend helped me devise a set of solvents specifically for printer ink.
In the past, I was intrigued by bars, pubs, taverns, and other entertainment venues, capturing quick, spontaneous snapshots of participation and randomness. However, my focus has shifted to carefully composed scenes, creating events and situations that resonate with me more now. I find that I can depict these better and feel more connected to them.
I never felt a need to belong to any club culture; my interest lay in random scenes that I later processed in my imagination, framed, and reworked. This approach allows me to draw inspiration from everything around me. It’s about aestheticization—composing and arranging forms and colors in a way that resonates with me. ~Rafal Karcz 2024 A.D.
KALEID Gallery – 320 S. First St. map
Artist’s reception: Constructed Realism by Robert D. Chavez III
In this project, Constructed Realism, I am conveying a “day in the life” through the lens of past, present, and future. It is my voyage through a dreamlike state. It’s the spiritual journey I embark on every day as I take pictures. When I go out to shoot, I feel like a hunter, scanning for evocations of emotion – both good and bad. These images fly in front of me, and I chase them; or they stay still and wait for me to capture them. These photographs are delving deeply into my soul. I’m using the artwork to share my own perspective of reality, tangled up in a ball of beautiful art. Poetry. Pain. Pursuit. Delight. Always driving me forward in my art and in my life.
About the Artist:
Robert D. Chavez III was born and raised in the East Bay, and began drawing as a child as a form of escape from the harsh realities of the world. At 20-years-old, he discovered that his true passion was photography, which he has pursued ever since. Chavez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art Photography. Working in galleries for years gave him a strong perspective and inspiration from artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Irving Penn, and Robert Frank. After moving to San Jose and finding a community of artists, Chavez’s artwork has flourished. He shares his love of photography with his students in the photography classes he assists at San Jose City College. By sharing his zeal for all art, but specifically photography, to the younger generation, he hopes to instill that same idea of the sanctuary that art can be in one’s life, as it has always been in his own.
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 S. First St. map
Exhibition Opening: Un Puente Sobre el Río San Juan: A Story of Borders
Un Puente Sobre el Río San Juan features two San José artists, Irene Carvajal and Imara Osorno, will dig into the contentious border politics between Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
FREE performance by Cristal Chains at our Castellano Playhouse 7:30pm & 8:30pm.
Cristal Chains is a record collector and selector from San José, CA. She is the host of Domingueando, a bi-monthly radio program on the local public radio station KKUP 91.5 FM, where she spins a range of música latina, from boleros, to norteñas to cumbia from across Latin America. Cristal Chains is also a part of Lost and Found, an indie pop collective from San José. With Lost and Found she shares her love for pop en español, post punk and new wave. As a first-generation mexicana born and raised in San José, Cristal Chains’ early musical and cultural roots have influenced her music collection, and it is important to her to preserve and uplift the music that has inspired her as a music collector, musician and artist throughout the years.
Opera San José at California Theater – 345 S. First St. map
Opera San José presents The Magic Flute
Get ready for a magical family night out at the California Theatre! We’ve got an evening packed with fun, music, and a little bit of magic—perfect for all ages.
Starting at 5:30 PM, Jerry Nagano will wow you with a fantastic performance on the Wurlitzer organ! Then, from 6:00 to 6:45 PM, our amazing opera singers from The Magic Flute will fill the theatre with their beautiful voices. You might have read about them in the papers, where critics have praised their performances as “captivating and full of charm.”
But the fun doesn’t stop there! At 7:00 PM, award-winning magician David Martinez will take the stage, ready to amaze everyone with tricks that’ll leave you wondering, “How did he do that?!” And because we know you love music, Jerry Nagano will be back from 7:45 to 8:30 PM for another round of those enchanting organ tunes.
Throughout the evening, we’ve got plenty of extras to keep the whole family entertained. Enjoy a live stream of the rehearsal, get your fortune told by Yuliya a tarot card reader, and yes—free popcorn for all! Plus, let your kids (and you!) get creative with a fun manifestation letter activity by Local Color. And don’t forget to watch out for our magical fairy, Leeonnista, spreading a little extra joy and wonder throughout the night. So, bring the family and join us for a night filled with music, magic, and memories. We can’t wait to see you there!
PhantomGalleries at The Pierce – 2 Pierce Ave. map
Phantom Galleries is proud to present:
TIME Trieu Hai Dao solo exhibition
Trieu Dao is a Vietnamese artist based in San Jose, with a career spanning over 45 years. Born in Vietnam, Dao fled the country in the early 1980s with his wife and two children, embarking on a perilous journey across the South China Sea before eventually settling in the United States.
A self-taught artist, Dao creates artwork built on the traditions from his native homeland and informed by his experiences as an immigrant refugee. He works primarily in oil paintings, sculptures, and multimedia pieces. His vibrant compositions contain figurative or abstract elements which reflect his vivid memories and deep emotions that become visceral to the viewer in their presence. As an evolving artist, he continues to seek new and innovative ways of expressing and evoking the emotions which drive his artwork.
Trieu’s work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and cultural centers throughout California, including the VAALA Center, the Morgan Hill Culture Community Center, the Saigon Civil Center, La Gallaria, the Viet Bao Gallery, the Works Gallery, the San jose Civic Center, Paradise Art Gallery, the Rose Garden Gallery, Martin Luther King Jr. Library Gallery and Citadel Art Gallery.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles – 520 South First St. map
Printed & Stitched
Printed & Stitched, an exhibition examining the overlap between the hand pulled print and the art quilt, highlights recent works from members of the California Society of Printmakers and Studio Art Quilt Associates.
The original artworks in Printed & Stitched are all by members of the Studio Art Quilt Associates (California/Nevada Regions) and the California Society of Printmakers. Award-winning artist Christine S. Aaron juried this exhibition. Aaron is a conceptual and material-focused artist who utilizes printmaking, wax, wood, metal, and paper to create work investigating memory and the fragility of human connection.
Participating Artists: Christine S. Aaron, Nancy Bardach, Mel Beach, Holly Brackmann, Noah Breuer, Pati Bristow and Kent Manske, Donna W. Brown, Judith Content, Linda S. Craighead, Cathie A. Crawford, Elizabeth Dallas, Kathryn Davy, Kate Deak, Adriane Dedic, Robin Dintiman, Giny Dixon, Karen Gallagher Iverson, Ewa Gavrielov, Mimi Ghauri-Young, Susan Gibson Kelly, Alisa Golden, Lynn Hall, Kevin Harris, Rozanne Hermelyn Di Silvestro, Ann Johnston, Barbara Kibbe, Evelyn Klein, Franki Kohler, Danguole Rita Koulas, Carol Larson, Dixie Laws, Susan Leone Howe, Linda Lieberman, Zwia Lipkin, Viviana Lombrozo, Luz Marina Ruiz, Kristina Nobleman, Janis O’Driscoll, Kathleen Oliver, Denise Oyama Miller, AV Pike, Barbara Poole, Deborah Rantz, Priscilla Read, Ashley Rodriguez Reed, Connie Rohman, Robynn Smith, Ileana Soto, Bethia G. Stone, Karen Sunday Spencer, Jami Taback, Jerry Theobald, Edda Valborg Sigurdardottir, Rosanna Lynne Welter, Lori Wisheropp, Carla Wolf, Nanette Wylde, and Linda Yoshizawa
Historic District
Chopsticks Alley Gallery – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Under One Moon Immersive Video Mapping Exhibition
Featuring: Illuminate SJ Now!!!, Cynthia Cao, Sabrina Kwong, Robin Lasser, with an original score by Troy Truong.
Chopsticks Alley Art is pleased to present Under One Moon, an immersive experience celebrating the traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This unique blend of contemporary visuals, poetry, and music highlights the moon’s significance among various cultures and histories. Featured artists include Illuminate SJ Now!!!, Cynthia Cao, Sabrina Kwong, and Robin Lasser, with an original score by Troy Truong.
Join us at 7:00-7:30 pm for the Moon Festival Performances and Procession with Lion Dance & Viet Steps Dancers, plus free lanterns throughout the evening.
Hammer2 Gallery – 101 Paseo de San Antonio map
Beginnings
Featuring artists: Jackelin Solorio, Robynn Smith, Dottie Lo Bue, Lani Viet, and Jason Adkins
Experience the grand opening reception of the Hammer2 Gallery featuring the work of San Jose State University Students, faculty, and local artists as part of South First Fridays ArtWalk SJ.
Located on the 2nd floor of the Hammer Theatre, the Hammer2 Gallery will feature a continuously rotating fine art gallery. The gallery will be a site to exhibit artists’ work, support artists financially through art sales, as well as foster young artists’ work.
Moreover, the gallery will provide a unique opportunity to marry the visual and performing arts and to provide exposure to these artists to an audience that may not normally frequent an art gallery.
Works/San Jose – 38 S. 2nd St. map
“Public Secret Selves”
Works presents its 2024 member art exhibition—a wide-ranging survey of South Bay and greater Bay Area artists.
From the most experienced and collected regional artists to new voices, see the work of more than 80 artist members who help support your community art and performance center. Don’t miss this impressive salon of local talent in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital art, video, and more. While we have many members who support our community mission but don’t consider themselves artists, this show celebrates creatives who volunteer and contribute to increase opportunities for everyone.
Martha Gardens District
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 S. Sixth St. map
Artists’ reception: Spirit of Japan | Spirit of Horses by Peter Thoeny and Oliver Klink
Peter used to live in Japan for 8 years and immersed himself with Japanese culture. Seeing it from his own perspective, he discovered that the current way of life in Japan is somehow connected to the past.
“Oliver Klink’s Poetry in Motion is a poignant reminder of the importance of the human-equine bond. His pictures transcend the expected form, bridging storytelling with a stylized form of documentation. The result is a body of work even the uninitiated cannot help but be moved by. Oliver’s artistry connects us to our childhood dreams, adolescent adventures, and adult fantasies while grounding us in a global reality.” – Geir & Kate Jordahl
MACHU PICCHU Gallery of the Americas, Est 1974 – 199 Martha St. map
“Drawing a Crowd”
Freehand line drawings by Robert McColle
Robert McColley began his artistic journey at seventeen when he was presented in a group exhibit in Sunnyvale, California. It was 1984, however, when he would bloom in the San Jose area up and down First Street. At the time, San Jose seemed like a growing mecca of the arts. Artists and writers thrived in the area, as did Robert.
His work was hanging on just about every gallery and cafe wall in the surrounding area. His line drawings captivated those who were there to watch them unfold. His unique style and immediate production from hand to page were his specialty. You would find Robert in a local cafe drawing them by the dozen to present to galleries or patrons.
His influences are evident as you examine his works, and you will find inspiration from old world artists such as Miro, Van Gogh, Magritte, and, of course, Picasso, to name a few.
Robert McColley’s recent works reunite him with an old friend and gallery, Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas and its founder Olga Enciso Smith.
South FIRST FRIDAYS presents: STREET MRKT indie urban art faire
FIRST FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6th 5pm–10pm
Free admission (spend it with the Artists!).
Out on S. 1st St. (between San Carlos & William streets) in SoFA District
Join us out on So. 1st St. as artists transform the SoFA District into a unique and bustling outdoor gallery with their creative energy! Imaginative paintings & sculptures, glass art demos, fascinating bone jewelry, classic tattoo art, counterculture zines, and chic fashion are just some of the rare works you’ll find when you come out and support our amazing arts community.
We’ll also have a great variety of delicious food trucks and a lively beer garden sponsored by & featuring: Clandestine Brewing Co., Fox Tale Fermentation, and Strike Brewing Co.
FEATURED ARTISTS:
Anthony Alva
Rebecca Anguiano
BAGI / Bay Area Glass Institute
Delilah Bender
The Blunt Letters
Julianne Bonnet
Emmanuel Cervantes Mejia
Crossroads Trading Co.
Dario Cruz
Current Tattooing
Christina Del Alto
Jennifer DeChenne
Joseph Demaree
Mario Dimas
Lorenz Dumuk
Mahsa Emoventur
Force129
Cynthia Gonzalez
Jared Gochuico
Hand in Hand Henna
Higher Fire Clayspace
Maureen Holcomb
Jodi408
Sarah Loyola
Valentino Loyola
Joe Mandrick
Martha Gardens Arts
David Mejia
MEMBIT Inc.
Gianfranco Paolozzi
Leslie Perez
Betty Proper
Ragavon
Francisco Ramirez
Steven Regalado
Marilyn Roaf aka Purl Bailey
Jacob Sandoval
Ricardo Sandoval
Rene Schilling-Sears
South Bay Ceramics
Suha Suha
Sundry 3D Treasures
Nikkea Takagi
Heylu Wheat
plus great music provided by
UNGRAMR SND SYSTEM out on S 1st Street
–> BEER GARDEN
5:00 – 10:00pm Great music provided by BIG LEE & Guiña
from On the Corner Music
Beer Garden sponsored by & featuring local & regional breweries: Clandestine Brewing Co., Fox Tale Fermentation, and Strike Brewing Co.
All ages welcome, must be 21+ w/ valid ID to drink beer.
STREET MRKT is supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose.
FIRST FRIDAYS ArtWalk SJ & STREET MRKT is produced by CURATUS in partnership with the participating galleries, museums and independent creative businesses.
Join us on Facebook ArtWalkSJ
South FIRST FRIDAYS
366 S 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-271-5155
info@southfirstfridays.com