Join us on FIRST FRIDAY March 7th during ArtWalk SJ for the best night out in downtown San Jose.
Grab some friends and check out a diverse range of artwork in the galleries, meet talented artists and enjoy live music performances.
All galleries and venues are free admission and all ages welcome.
We look forward to seeing you Friday, March 7th, 5pm–9pm.
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.
Opening reception 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
Fragments: Intimate Details
Duo exhibition with paintings by Francisco Ramirez and photography by Robertino Ragazza
Francisco Ramirez
My work explores the fragmented thoughts of my childhood, particularly the disorienting and often unsettling experience of migration. For this duo exhibition with Robertino Ragazza, titled Fragments: Intimate Details” I delve into the details of my memory of a journey undertaken in the dark of night, a journey marked by both fear and the disorienting child’s perspective. The images I create are emotional landscapes built from the lingering uncertainty of that time.
The sharp scent of gasoline, the rhythmic bounce of a truck bed on a rough road, the warmth radiating from a bus floor – these visceral fragments become the building blocks of my artistic expression. These experiences intertwine with the emotional weight of the unknown, The taste of a torta de jamon, the feeling of damp shoes on parched earth, the sepia glow of streetlights seen through a car window – these seemingly mundane details become potent symbols of a journey filled with uncertainty.
My art seeks to capture the in-between space blurred by the innocence of the past with the awareness of reality and experience. Like a child piecing together a confusing narrative, I assemble fragments of memory, emotion, and sensation to create a visual representation that gives a glimpse of the complex realities of displacement and the enduring power of family connection. The recurring motifs of sunrises, symbolizes the promise of a new beginning, resilience, hope, determination and identity.
Robertino Ragazza
For this duo exhibition with Francisco Ramirez, titled “Fragments: Intimate Details,” I’ve embarked on a deeply personal journey through my existing body of work, seeking to create a new series that resonates with the exhibition’s theme. My process begins with a meditative sorting of my photographs, mentally categorizing each image and exploring the fragmented memories it evokes. I consider the familiar and unfamiliar experiences and environments they represent, particularly the wonder, disorientation, and sometimes unsettling nature of navigating daily life, whether in familiar surroundings or during travels to new and unfamiliar places. This reflective process allows me to curate a cohesive collection of images.
Capturing these images is, for me, a form of journaling, an extension of my very being. I immerse myself in the sensory details and subtle nuances of each moment, documenting my daily journey with a sense of wonder at the new places I encounter. These images become more than just photographs; they transform into visual journals of my memories, emotional landscapes built from the lingering sensations of the time and place they were captured.
Each piece in this series explores life’s nuances, innocence, and awareness, blurring the lines between reality and dream. Like a child piecing together a complex puzzle, each photograph becomes a fragment of memory, emotion, and sensation, forming a visual language that speaks to the complex realities of my daily life and my connection with others.
Each photo also symbolizes the promise of a new beginning, a guiding light through the shadows of my daily existence. Ultimately, this series is a collage of my life, a visual journal of my trials and tribulations, a powerful representation of my evolving identity.
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 S. First St. map
Mírame — Closing week
Abby Aceves (Los Angeles), Tiffany Alfonseca (New York), Ruby Bloo (San José), Monica Hernandez (New York), and Elba Raquel (San José) examine how cultural beliefs have shaped and constrained women’s roles. Through painting and mixed media, the transformative power of breaking societal confines celebrates a collective movement towards liberation.
FREE performance at our Castellano Playhouse:
DJ Toonin is a fresh and upcoming DJ that got her start from San Jose’s all female DJ group, ‘Ladies1stDJclub’. From funk, house, hip-hop, to reggae and cumbias, Toonin has fun with all genres. Intentional with each moment, Toonin creates a fun, ecstatic, and welcoming atmosphere, connecting music to the present moment. DJ Toonin is performing two free 45-minute sets starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse.
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.
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 Jazz – 310 South First St. map
TBA.
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.
Symphony San José at California Theater – 345 S. First St. map
Open rehearsal: Beethoven’s Eroica
with Symphony San Jose & Nathan Aspinall (conductor)
March “comes in like a lion,” and this tour-de-force program proves it.
One of Beethoven’s most celebrated works, and in fact, the composer’s personal favorite of his compositions, the Eroica symphony explores what it means to be human.
Richard Strauss’ tone poem depicts the dying thoughts of an artist as he recounts the various stages of his life, all while awaiting the ultimate transformation.
And we mark the first Symphony San Jose performance of a work by Arvo Pärt, the most performed contemporary composer in the world (beating out John Williams, John Adams, Thomas Adès, and Philip Glass).
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
The Community Art Auction opens on First Friday ArtWalk night! You can preview and bid on the work of 90 local and regional artists in the regions most accessible and eclectic art auction. Bidding or not, visit the Auction opening night and exhibition for a survey of San José to Bay Area talent. Openings and exhibitions are always free at Works and the exhibit continues through April 5 to an exciting Auction night. For 48 years, Works/San José has been your community art and performance space—the Community Art Auction is a chance to build your collection and support your community artists and your community art space.
Martha Gardens District
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 S. Sixth St. map
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.
FUSE presents at the Citadel Art Gallery- 199 Martha St. map
FUSE presents: Sweet Lost
Featuring Mahsa and Animate1
Join us to celebrate the “sweet lost” show in March by Fuse presents!
Lost feels like guilt, confusion, frustration, doubt, but also it’s freedom! It is hope…Lost is dreaming… its imagination…Lost is being on the road and not destination…Lost is where we fit…where we connect… Sweet Lost is a multimedia show that bridges contemporary art with street art, exploring one of the freest and most expressive worlds to get lost in. Join us as we celebrate the journey of “getting lost” with our street-inspired show, “Sweet Lost.”
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