culture | South FIRST FRIDAYS

First Friday, December 7 from 7–11pm
SoFA District (& beyond) downtown San Jose
RSVP on our event page here.

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

All Art Walk venues are FREE admission & great for all ages.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE at PARTICIPATING VENUES…

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

On view in galleryONE: “Where Death Goes to Die” by Mike Egan

Mike Egan (b. 1977, Pittsburgh, PA) returns to Anno Domini for his third solo show with a new body of work that expands his aesthetic by bringing abstract elements into his signature art brut style. The resulting effect of his gradient tonalities adds a vibrancy (perhaps a hopefullness?) to his otherwise stoic stance on the ultimate inevitability of death.

“2018 has me feeling like I’m at a bit of a cross roads in my career as an artist. I wanted to create a body of work for this show that was new and fresh but still screamed “Mike Egan did that!”. I’ve never been one that is experimental with color and I wanted to change that. The idea of drawing the viewer into a painting with color always appealed to me. With using new colors for me like purples and aquas and using the gradient colors I feel like these new paintings really pop. Another shift is the size of the work that I’m doing. I wanted the paintings to have a commanding presence in the gallery. Although I still have the themes of death and dying running through my work I’m hoping that people find joy and happiness with how fresh and bright everything is. The title “Where Death Goes To Die” is kind of me saying forget about the sadness and death aspects of my work and maybe focus on the new graphic qualities and colors that I’m using. I’m still alive, moving and growing as an artist!

“I am a Pittsburgh based artist who received my BFA at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2000. I focused on printmaking at the time which is where I learned about artists like Jose Guadalupe Posada and the German Expressionists like Kathe Kollwitz. After I finished school and returned home I did not have the necessary supplies to continue making my prints, so I turned to painting so I could keep making art. While I wanted to be an artist I felt having a day job that I found interesting was important. I had discovered that there was a mortuary school in Pittsburgh where I could get licensed as a funeral director/embalmer. I knew nothing about the business or what I was getting myself into. I went to school for a year and followed that up with an internship for another year. I learned how to do removals, embalm, do restorations, dress and casket people, do the cosmetics and assist on funerals. I continued to paint and made a lot of bad art. I eventually got a job as an embalmer out in Reading, PA in 2005. Between four locations we did 500 calls a year, so it was a busy time for me. The hard thing about being an embalmer is that you’re on call when someone dies, so I spent a lot of time alone in my apartment waiting for the phone to ring. This is where I learned to craft my paintings and style. I thought back to my printmaking days in 2000 and how I loved the bold line work I was doing. So I started to paint in that style and things started to click for me. In 2006, a friend of mine put together a gallery show in Pittsburgh and included my paintings. I sold three the opening night and thought I’m doing something right. I’ve been working with galleries all over the U.S., Canada and the UK ever since.” ~Mike Egan, 2018 A.D.
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

Art work by Christine Grey.

On view: “More the Merrier”

A salon style show and exhibition! Join us for fantastic live music, food and fantastic affordable art! Great place to buy Holiday gifts.

Artists: Lynn Aisawa, Cat Aviña, Teresa Beyer, Anika Bhatia, Shone Chacko, Dotti Cichon, Brady Damian, Dharmesh Desai, Jemal Diamond, Heather Deyling, Carolann Espino, Vera Fainshtein, Roberto Fierro, GalexSea Artworks, Sonia Garcia, Cody Garza, Christine Gray, Dana Harris Seeger, Caden Hastings-Dennis, HDR Photography, Amy Hibbs, Chris Imai, Jonathan Kermit, Janice Lambert, Julie Novakofski, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Elizabeth Patrician, Al Preciado, Zlata Rabinovich, Sahana Rajmohan, Nik Ratford, Gwen Reyes, Paul Romanowski, Bob Rose, Elle Skinner and Hema Sukumar

Live music: Paolozzi Tango Trio
Gallery Suha Suha – 45 E. Williams St. map

On view: “Tile Tetris” by Suha Suha

Suha Suha Tile Tetris Show
Starting November 2nd, Gallery Suha Suha of San Jose will showcase tile art by its resident artists Haelee Choi and Sung Jae Bang. As the title of the show implies, the pieces presented may be arranged in various ways according to one’s taste, inviting patrons to take part in the creative process.
KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

KALEID Gallery is proud to present the “13th Annual HARK! Holiday Show & Sale” featuring over 40 invited artists from KALEID as well as our broader creative community from the south bay region.

Sale starts first Friday December 7th (7pm–11pm), join us and you’ll find hundreds of original works of art at holiday gift giving prices. Choose the perfect meaningful gift in our selection of one of a kind drawings, paintings, photography, sculptures, and jewelry. (It’s also a great time to treat yourself!)

All art work purchases are first come, first served and purchases may be taken home at the point of sale.

2018 HARK! Artists:
Fernando Amaro, Jr., Darius B’Alexander, Mariana Barnes, Steven Borelli, Jeff Bramschreiber, Karen Carlo Salinger, Antonio Castro, Dotti Cichon, Joseph Demaree, Jemal Diamond, Lorenz Dumuk, Gabriel Edwards, Emonic, FogCityGeometrics Jewelry, Cynthia Gonzalez, Ike Greca, Katie Guttierrez, Kyle Harter, Matthew Heimgartner, Andrew Irvine, Maryna Kantsyr, The Lola x Kenneth Collaboration, Nica Lorber, Valentino Loyola, Joe Mandrick, Nicole Margaret, Nadja Martens, Mark Martinez(, David Mejia, Julie Meridian, Lourdes Mieses, Anthony Palomo, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Brittni Paul, John Paulson, Jonathan Perea, Betty Proper, Zlata Rabinovich, Jenifer Renzel, Drew Roulette, Marilyn Roaf, Lem Sager, Amy Steinberg, Masha Schultz, and Suhita Shirodkar

Opening reception music by: DJ T.Spillman
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 South First St. map

In the DMC Studio at MACLA: With the theme of Light, DMC Studio Youth have produced photos and paintings and collaborated on a Zine with Students from Notre Dame High School to bring awareness of mental health during the darkest time of the year. There will be an opportunity for youth ages 11-19 to perform at our Open Mic from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Sign-ups begin at 5:30pm.

Shizu Saldamando, Sashiko, Wish Candy, mixed media on wood panel, 2018

In the MACLA Gallery: MACLA presents the “7th Xicanx Biennial” taking inventory of the critical edge and aesthetic interventions within Contemporary Xicanx/Latinx Art. Muxeres Rising focuses on a cross-generational survey of art by self-identified Xicanx/Latinx womxn inspired by current waves of collective uprising, disruption, and empowerment.

Photo courtesy of Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi

In the Castellano Playhouse: Cuba in the Mix: DJ Leydis, Yosvany Terry, and Ramon Ramos Alayo

Join the creators of We Have Iré, a new multidisciplinary theater work-in-progress by award-winning poet, performance artist, and playwright Paul S. Flores, for an evening jam session of Afro-Latino Music, Dance and Poetry. Featuring Ramón Ramos Alayo, DJ Leydis, and Yosvany Terry.
PhantomGalleries at The Pierce – 2 Pierce Ave. map

On view: “Symbiosis” by Monica Valdez

Symbiosis is a series of paintings inspired by botanical form resemblances combined with man-made structures that are experienced on a daily basis. In this body of work, I create a symbiotic relationship between these organic compounds and structures by harmoniously intertwining both. The viewer may experience a sense of tranquility and a moment of contemplation as a result of the varying gradients that intertwine opposites.

Monica Valdez is a San Jose based artist, who merges screen-printing and painting to create her own distinct style. Her work is inspired by waterfalls and plant life juxtaposed with man-made structures in which she creates a co-mingling between the two distinct forms. She is a San Jose State University graduate and has shown in several galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Beacon, NY.
Phantom Galleries at Culinary Corner Bistro – 321 South First St. map

On view: “Out of the Darkness” by Wisper

The series of pieces that were created for this show are direct manifestations of a former dark and destructive lifestyle. Many of the creations come straight forth out of the darkness of the heart. However dark the pieces may be, they were created to evoke hope. That if a person can endure the darkest of situations, then so can others. When we choose to not let our circumstances and situations make our choices for us we can overcome the darkness. For even in the darkness the light shines. All of the pieces that are depicted in this series are a culmination of my life experiences done in a variety of mediums, from acrylics, oils, ink, and spray paint. Along with a variety of influences from the graffiti culture to comic art, to the prison culture all mixed together to create what the darkness tried to destroy. May you be inspired to face and overcome your own darkness as I did. More importantly may you be a source of light to yourself and for others. – Wisper, the artist.

This Phantom Galleries exhibition curated by Robert Ragazza.
Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

James William Moore, “Spin Me ‘Round”, digital print in wood

Benefit Art Auction 2018

See 120 works of art from local and regional artists in the 41st anniversary Benefit Auction! Works present an amazing array of long-standing and emerging area artists to help you build your collection while supporting your community art center in the South Bay’s most eclectic, affordable, and accessible art auction! Silent bidding is open and continues to the final Auction night gala on Saturday, December 8. Free admission throughout the exhibition and free snacks as usual on South First Friday Art Walk night!
Caffé Frascati – 315 South First St. map

On view: Luchador Series & Dia de los Muertos Pieces by Francisco Ramirez

Growing up, I used to wrap towels around my neck, pretending that I was a luchador, fighting crime, fighting for justice. Recently, I came upon the image of the Luchador and it reminded me of my childhood and the notion that we all need that hero. I decided to paint the rivals, El Santo and Blue Demon, each heros in their own right.

Despite my Mexican heritage, I don’t actually like doing Dia de los Muertos pieces; I don’t want to be dishonoring a tradition, so I tend to stay away from those images, I like originality, and I try to bring a unique texture to whatever I do.

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! for the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk.
SJSU Muse Night at Hammer Theatre – 101 Paseo de San Antonio map

SJSU Muse Night

Our upcoming event will be a Holiday Night, where we’ll be celebrating the holidays of December! We’ll have performances, art, clubs, holiday activities (making holiday cards/ornaments)! The holidays are all about food and family, and we want to make you feel warm and welcome. Bring your old clothes for our donation drive and see the printmakers of Fresh Pressed and the individual artists, performers and creators of SJSU!
Social Policy – 200 South First St. map

Opening Reception: “DuBose Design” by Taylor DuBose

A collection of past and present works through paintings and illustration, to graphic design and pop art.
SoFA Market – 387 So. First St. map

Artists’ reception: “Living Room Sofa” by Grace Talice Lee and Kyle Harter

Grace Talice Lee and Kyle Harter are San Jose-based artists, art educators, and partners in life, love, and art. The pieces displayed here were born out of their relationship – many of them sketched while cuddling on their living room sofa. They were drawn to mark their growth, show their affection, and make each other laugh.
Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

On view: A”Turning Over a New Leaf” by photographer Mimi Boursier

All these pictures were taken in County, State or National Parks and showcase the different landscapes, beauty and adventure found within each one.