Join us First Friday November 4th for ArtWalk SJ in SoFA District (& beyond!).
The South FIRST FRIDAYS ArtWalk is a self-guided, nighttime tour through galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses from 5–9pm.
All ArtWalk venues are free admission and family friendly.
NOVEMBER EXHIBITIONS
ANNO DOMINI // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 S. First St. map
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Opening reception: “Strangers in the Night” Jake Watling (CA) solo exhibition
“Strangers in the Night,” a series of new paintings and sculptures by Jake Watling. In his most personal series, Jake Watling works through thoughts and emotions of battling bone cancer and all the love and luck it took to get him through three separate bone cancer battles. This series is named after the song”Strangers in the Night,” Jake and his wife Mahtab’s song together, which, like this series, depicts the journey of the human experience.
In 2014 Watling was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. With a lot of love and support from friends, family, doctors, nurses and especially his wife, Mahtab, he made it through treatment and multiple surgeries. Unfortunately after he made it through the initial treatments and surgeries that wasn’t the end of the war, he had to go through two more recurrances of metastatic bone cancer and more surgeries. Thankfully since 2020 he has been cancer-free and he is praying his battles with cancer are behind him.
Watling’s new series of paintings and sculptures utilizes significant moments in space and time, both past and present, to symbolize a variety of emotional states that he had while going through cancer treatment and recovery; from the fear and anxiety of being diagnosed with cancer and looking death in the face, to the love he felt from those around him and the hope of a better tomorrow. Watling chose to set the paintings at night to represent the darkness and despair he went through during his battles with cancer, but within each of the paintings there is a source of light, both literal and symbolic, that brings hope, love and positivity to the artwork. Watling used himself and his wife as the protagonists within the paintings to show moments together along life’s journey as well as to use them as symbols of the human experience, from their first glance as strangers in the night to life long partners in love forever.
About the Artist
Jake Watling forms his graphic narrative imagery by combining his recorded ideas and experiences with a personal language of signs and symbols. The signs and symbols take many forms, including: people, text, signage, cars, architecture, esotericism, religion, as well as others.
Watling received his B.F.A. from the College of Visual Arts in Minnesota. He has exhibited his artwork throughout the United States. His work can be found in many private collections as well as the Museum of Modern Art collection in New York. Watling currently lives and works in Oakland, California.
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On view: “because” Jeremiah Maddock (CO) solo exhibition
Using found aged paper as a receiver of the inks he mixes from dead pens and markers, Jeremiah renders haunting visual vignettes of his everyday personal experiences.
“because” is Maddock’s 4th solo show at Anno Domini
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 S. Sixth St. map
Opening reception: “More the Merrier“
Participating Artists: Rosa Bar, Kimberly Cook, Carolina Cuevas, Miguel Espinosa, Peter Foley, John Gayler, Eileen Graham, Caden Hastings-Dennis, Jaben Hastings-Melville, HDR Photography, Ansate Jones, Lori Krein, Janice Lambert, Malti B Lee, Hargun Mahal, Emilia Melville, Kris Miller, Jackson Nichols, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Francisco Ramirez, Lynn Rogers, Eunice Schreck, Bhawna Seth, Olga Enciso Smith, Renée Switkes, Mike Tillson, Rachel Tirosh, Nina Ulett, Miranda Vaughn, Marvin Velasco, Isaac Villanueva, Jennifer Villanueva, Mirabella Villanueva, Alpa Vyas, Yuting Wang, Nona Weiner
Come join us for a salon style exhibition and art sale! Buy some art for yourself or friends and family! Live music on First Friday.
FUSE presents at the Citadel Art Gallery- 199 Martha St. map
Opening reception: “Flourish” by Ruthie K. Yamada & Eddie Ramirez
Looking at plant life as it adds beauty to everything. This show will highlight a botanical theme to the artists’ work.
KALEID Gallery – 320 S. First St. map
Opening reception: “Embodied Perception” Valentino Loyola solo exhibition
Loyola’s photographic artwork, “Embodied Perception,” conceptually, is an ongoing series that speaks to how, he, first, and others construct our own narratives; the realities of our personhoods; how we as individuals perceive ourselves and self-subscribed value, how we conform to the perceptions of self and those of exterior vantage points; not conforming; deconstructing and reconstructing our own realities and the internalizing of these perceptive points then, actively, embodying these perceptions to manifestation becoming a living installation of identity within the public sphere(s).
Formally, the work follows two qualitative functions: a physical construction, tear down, and re-construction of the printed photograph and are at large rendered using a solarization, digital process that pulls the light and dark information in an image into opposite directions. This inverse movement of inside out/outside in is connected to the idea of introspection and internalization. Digital and analogous; constructed works and exact prints aim to depict our constructed realities, the idea of perceptions we embody.
About the Artist
Valentino Loyola is an interdisciplinary artist working in mixed media(s) with a specific focus on the photographic image as a stand-alone object and, considers how that object can evolve, merging it with other media(s) to create art that is imbued with a sense of drama, structural dynamism and engaging with the audience to activate the multidimensionality between viewer and art, indicative of mediation.
MACHU PICCHU Gallery of the Americas, Est 1974 – 199 Martha St. map
Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Celebration with Brian M. Smith & Olga Enciso Smith
In the spirit of this Latin American tradition, a special Ofrenda (Offering) has been constructed by Brian M. Smith. A magnificent display of colors, aromas and typical artifacts including fresh marigold with papel picado (delicate cut paper), corn stalks, candles, gourds, and handmade skeleton figures that border on the humorous representing the occupation of the deceased persons.
The Ofrenda will serve as a process of healing for families and friends who have experienced the pain of losing a loved one. Olga Enciso Smith will conduct the special Remembrance: A time to share the pain and express the sorrow with the larger human family. Also. a time of joy for the happy memories their lives have brought to us.
Relatives or friends who wish to have a loved one’s memory commemorated are invited to bring a photo of him/her for the Ofrenda’s dedication which will take place First Friday November 4th, 5pm-8:30pm at Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas.
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 S. First St. map
“Deconstructing to Rebuild” group exhibit
featuring Elizabeth Blancas, Alex Hernandez, Mino Sanchez, They Maldonado, Cynthia Gonzalez, Jose Villalobos Alex Martinez
This exhibition highlights gender identity to showcase queer Latinx artists whose work challenges traditional gender norms. The artists offer a perspective on what it means to identify as queer and a reimagined view of the world.
Natural Do Salon – 613 S. First St. map
“Dreams and Doodles Self Love” by Inner Divine Creations
I create various types of art. One that I am truly proud of is my self-love journal and coloring book. Entitled “Dreams and Doodles,” this book was created very intentionally. Each coloring page was created with the hope of a full page of creative colors, designs and sayings all of your own. So really go for it!
The affirmations are inspiring reminders for yourself to repeat aloud through your day in any situations that you may need them. Manifestation pages are an opportunity for you write out your dreams and desires with the intentions of making them a reality. It is also a reminder that whatever we speak, think or believe has a real chance of becoming a part of who we are as a person. My husband Jamar, created each poem inside, each uniquely written to inspire and uplift its reader.
All of my art prints are original art that I created myself. I love to use deep vibrant colors that bring a piece of unique artist life to your living space. Something that just makes you feel good when you look at it. By adding a custom-made frame or a purchased frame that you love, you will truly have a masterpiece on your hands. ~Khadija / Inner Divine Creations
Opera San José California Theater – 345 S. First St. map
Alma Deutscher’s “Cinderella” by Opera San Jose
Opera San Jose presents our November performance of Alma Deutscher’s “Cinderella.” It is a story of love and patience, handsome princes and evil step mothers but also about staying true to yourself and standing your ground. With children‘s choruses, instrumental solos and comic verve, this sparkling English language work is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.
We welcome guests to the California Theatre during the First Friday ArtWalk to participate in a selfie photoshoot with props, coloring page stations and a sneak peek feature of the performance happening live on TV monitors.
PhantomGalleries at The Pierce – 2 Pierce Ave. map
Phantom Galleries is proud to present:
“The Secret Life of Plants” by Diana Hartman solo exhibition
With a love of nature and story telling, Diana will portray any living thing that inspires her. She began with animals, but went on to paint portraits of vegetables, seaweed, cacti, plants and trees. Her portraits of the things that sustain us and bring beauty to our lives, are also inspired by vintage photographs and figures in history, literature and pop culture.
About the Artist
Diana Hartman is an artist who has worked in many mediums and loves finding unique surfaces to paint on. With a love of plants, animals and storytelling, she will anthropomorphize everything from plants to critters. She has painted on cupboard doors, repurposed wood, wood platters and even a dishwasher. It gives her great satisfaction to take what would be discarded and turn it into art. In the Bay Area, Diana has created public art work, which has included several works for Art Box Project San Jose. She is currently a member of Kaleid Art Gallery and has also shown her work at different venues in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Diana also works on commissions which could entail a portrait of your favorite plant, flower, vegetable or pet.
Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose – 451 S. First St. map (special event location)
Preview the 2022 Auction: In Their Own Words at the special event location 451 S. 1st St. during the First Friday ArtWalk SJ.
Now in its 42nd year, the highly anticipated 2022 Annual Benefit Art Auction at the Institute of Contemporary Art San José offers unique opportunities for art enthusiasts and collectors to view and acquire contemporary artwork by rising stars and celebrated artists whose work reflects vibrant, eclectic styles and interests. The live auction is often described as the most highly anticipated event on the Silicon Valley event calendar, returning now after a year’s hiatus.
On view will be exceptional donated works from highly acclaimed artists, including Kathy Aoki, Ray Beldner, Sarah Blaustein, Natalya Burd, Andrew Catanese, Kathryn Dunlevie, Ewa Gavrielov, Diane Andrews Hall, Pancho Jimenez, Kara Maria, Stephanie Metz, Christopher Martin, Humberto Ramirez, Byron Ryono, Beth Davila Waldman, and more. The live auction will be held on Saturday, November 5th at 5pm.
Quilt National ’21 Juried Exhibition
Quilt National ‘21 is a juried biennial exhibition featuring the Best of Contemporary Quilts. Organized by The Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio, Quilt National showcases new works, all made within the previous two years from the show’s opening, selected by the jury of Nancy Bavor, Brigette Kopp, and Karen Schulz. Quilt National offers the works of artists who take technology and techniques for fiber art above and beyond the ordinary.
SoFA Market – 387 S. First St. map
Richard Hoffman was born in San Jose, and raised in Sunnyvale. Mesmerized by Madonna, Optimus Prime, and anything having to do with space, he dove deep into all things beautiful and otherworldly. Voraciously consuming comic books, and fine art books and magazines, and burning through sketchbooks, his mother and aunt encouraged him to pursue his favorite interest – art. He honed his skills in anatomy, figure drawing, and painting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, before moving to San Jose, and exhibiting and selling his first pieces in the DTSJ art community.
Works San Jose – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Flash Fiction Forum book release and Maker Night
Works presents its first publication of literature and art along with spaces to make your own book, button, or custom magnet! As we settle into our new gallery space, join us for a night of casual flash fiction readings, the return of our famed button making booth, a make-your-own book table and more. Prints of art in Flash Fiction Forum volume one will be shown featuring artists Sara Cole, Kathryn Dunlevie, Wenzdai Figueroa, Doug Glovaski, Dana Harris Seeger, Holly Lane, Erin Salazar, and Kurt Salinas. Remember—Works is now at 38 South Second Street!