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

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 & open to the public.

NEW EXHIBITS…

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

  
  Artwork by Bohdan Burenko (Ukraine)

  Opening Reception in galleryONE: Graffuturism 6 year Anniversary Group Exhibit

  Anno Domini Gallery will celebrate Graffuturism’s 6 Year Anniversary with an international exhibition opening First Friday May 6, 2016. Graffuturism has exhibited as a group over the past 6 years in cities such as Glasgow, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Miami and San Francisco. Graffuturism has chosen Anno Domini Gallery to hold an anniversary show bringing together an impressive group of International artists to exhibit. Poesia has curated a lineup of premier Urban/Graffiti Art artist who have been pivotal in the development of Graffuturism including members of the group as well as those closely associated with them. This exhibition casts a view that includes a wide range of aesthetics that exemplify the essence of this “Othercontemporary” movement known as Graffuturism, and also to explore where this movement is heading.

  
  Various & Gould, “Pick A Poison”, screenprint, collage and acrylic on wood, 29.5 x 20.50 inches, Berlin 2016

  On View in galleryTWO: “Permanently Improvised” new works by street art duo Various & Gould (Berlin, Germany).

  Dada turns 100 – long live the nonsense! Infected with these high-spirits, Berlin based artist duo Various & Gould has locked itself in the laboratory for several months creating new, surreal artworks for their first solo exhibition “Permanently Improvised” at Anno Domini Gallery in San Jose.

  Berlin based artist duo Various & Gould have worked in close collaboration since 2005. The artists often deal with socially prominent themes such as work, migration, gender, death,religion or the financial crisis in a playful, intuitive manner. Vivid colors combined with typography and encrypted messages are the characteristics of their work. Various & Gould are known for constantly reinventing themselves. Their creation is based on the simple but striking formula: 1+1=3. Interests such as the love for paper, the enthusiasm for accidental beauty in everyday life and especially the artistic work in public spaces form the basis for their teamwork. Screen-prints and collages are their great passion.

  Suitably, the title “Permanently Improvised” is a tribute to the DIY culture, and a reference to everlasting workarounds, precarious existences and a fundamental attitude towards life.

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

  

  “NCECA 2016 Conference Redux”

  Did you miss it? 8,000 potters and clay educators brought their finest works and convened in Kansas City last week to discuss & celebrate all things clay. Our staff photographed exemplary art works from celebrated contemporary ceramic artists, historical works, and more…#ClayEveryDamnDay #NCECA pretty well sums it up!

  For April First Friday, join us at Higher Fire for “Mini Kansas City”, a mind-blowing slide show, videos and a BBQ-themed potluck. Bring your favorite BBQ, side dish, drinks or fixins — or any kind of dish to share. Potluck begins at 6:30pm. Slide show starts at 7:30pm.

• KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

  KALEID Gallery is proud to present two new feature exhibitions by gallery resident artists Luis Jorge Miese (sculpture) and Gianfranco Paolozzi (painting).

  
  “Lifetime Memories” by Luis Jorge Mieses

  “Lifetime Memories” is a collection of Lifecasting Sculptures portraying diverse human beings at different ages through life.

  Luis Jorge Mieses was born in Peru where he grew up, graduated and worked as an Industrial Engineer for 21 years. Since his move to California in 2001, Mieses has devoted his time to sculpture and taxidermy. Because of the taxidermy work–which required molds preparation, shaping and molding parts for mounting different animals–he discovered the fascinating world of sculpture. Since then, he has devoted his time to make life-size sculptures capturing hands, faces, feet, and various parts of the human body. Many of his works are now in private collections.

  
  

  “Memories on Journals” by Gianfranco Paolozzi

  These pieces are considered “journals” because they are never finished until they are sold. In this way, Paolozzi’s work is ever-evolving… until it is yours; once you have it, it is completely evolved…or…back in the studio they go where they continue to be added to or edited. The works also have no “correct” top, bottom or sides when it comes to hanging the work. Paolozzi designed the frame with hardware so the collector can hang a piece in any orientation they’d like. Use your imagination.

• Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

  
  Artwork: “This is Not Private,” by Antonio Daniele

  Inter/Action: Digital Art that Responds, a highly interactive digital and systems art exhibition, will be the first ever art exhibition presented as part of a CHI (pronounced kai) conference, the top world-wide conference for human-computer interaction. Curated by Jason Challas and Ernest Edmonds, the exhibit combines 23 international and local artists.

• Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

  
  “Nest Egg Dreaming of a Home” image courtesy of the artist, Valerie Raps

  “Home Is Where the Heart Is” an art exhibition celebrating a decade of art (2006-2016) at Art Ark Gallery and the development of a thriving arts community that has made Art Ark Gallery the heart of the Martha Gardens neighborhood.

  Art Reception: Friday, May 6th 6-9pm 2016 Live music by Paolozzi Tango Trio

  Participating Artists: Misty Albrecht, Natalya Burd, Ryan Carrington, Shone Chacko, Ed Clapp, J. Duncan Cook, Kim Cook, Lee Crowley, Jessica Eastburn, Christopher Elliman, Alyssa Eustaquio, Roberto Fierro, Genevieve Hastings, Andrew Hedges, Julia Jacobson, Dave Kempken, Colin King-Bailey, Bob Lamp, John Landry, Rachel Lazo, Marianne Lettieri, Mila Libman, Kent Manske, Tony May, Kathleen McDonald, Theresa Merchant, Stephanie Metz, Diana Mihalakis, Joe Miller, Andy Muonio, David Naisuler, Alex Oliva, Christine Oliver, Avery Palmer, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Valerie Raps, Nora Raggio, Fanny Retsek, Judy Roberto, Joe Saxe, Dana Seeger, Yori Seeger, Keith Southern, Jason Starbird, Robbie Sugg, Nannette Wylde, Helen Yang, Maurice Yarrow

  Also announcing a change in leadership. Gallery Coordinator, Valerie Raps will be leaving Art Ark Gallery this June, after ten years of service. This is her last curatorial role at Art Ark Gallery. Her successor is local artist and SJSU alumni, Genevieve Hastings.

• Downtown Yoga Shala – 450 South First St. map

  
  

  The exhibit at the Downtown Yoga Shala this month represents part of a school wide collaboration between Schallenberger School in Willow Glen and the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga. The school’s fourth grade students, under the guidance of artist, Michele Guieu, and with the assistance of their classroom teachers, Binh Le Hererra, Jessica Martin-Moss, and Lisa Avila, participated in a 10-session project integrating art in their studies of the human impact on the earth’s water from the watershed to the ocean. They used an array techniques: observation drawing, sketching ideas and mockups, collage, watercolor, and posters. These young artists are delighted to have an opportunity to share their work.

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library – 150 E San Fernando St. map

  

  13-year-old artist Cleo Cole will be showing her “Ode to” works, a series of portraits informed by some of histories greats. Come check out her never before shown sketchbook pages including a number of dynamic blind contours, exaggerations and sketches at the MLK Public Library during the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk on May 6th.

• SoFA Market – 387 South First St. map

  
  

  “iBecome” by Andre Hart
  A series of paintings on display at SoFA Market.

• Social Policy – 200 South First St. map

  
  artwork by Travis Gonsalves

  This May, Social Policy is proud to present the work of six local visual artists: Kristina Miccoti, Roger Ourthiague, Kathleen Kirker, Michael Boehnker, Tamara Chang, and Travis Gonsalves. This group exhibition is an exciting showcase of diverse subjects & stylistic approaches to illustration.

• Third Space Fitness – 550 South first St. map

  

  “Kenneth + Crescenciana Ronquillo” by The Lola x Kenneth Collaboration

  My name is Kenneth and my grandma (lola in Tagalog) is Crescenciana, and together we’re the Lola x Kenneth Collaboration. Before Lola turned 94, I moved home to help care for her. I wanted to find a way to make the most of our time together so I thought, “Hey, why don’t we make some cool stuff? Why don’t we make some art?” My grandma makes the paintings. I promise to finish everything she starts.

  

  “The Dynamic Sea” by Patrick Bremser

  From Patrick Bremser: I am the result of a long line of artisans and teachers. I am a waterman, a chef, a lover of life and puzzles, a spirit walker and a creative. Between the folds of Light and Dark, Magic plays. Through my photography, I search to find those moments filled with magic to share with you. I will be showing 2 styles of images: slow shutter ocean photography titled, “The Dynamic Sea” and a few local landscapes.

CONTINUED EXHIBITS…

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

  
  artwork by Luis Fitch

  MACLA’s 18th Latino Art Now! Art Auction & Exhibition

  View the very best in contemporary Latino art from the Bay Area and beyond. Highlights of this year’s exhibition include Carlos Rolón/Dzine, Bay Area favorite Aaron De La Cruz, notable veterans of Chicana/o art Wayne Healy, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, and Ester Hernandez. Save the date: Live Auction: May 14, 2016

  

  Tarimba is a collective comprised of local Bay Area musicians who have embraced the traditional Mexican genre of Son Jarocho music. The core members of Tarimba, Lolis García and Kyla Danysh, are experienced multi-instrumentalists and vocalists who actively perform and teach in the Bay Area music community. Join us for this fandango!

• 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! In addition to opera night, we have two new exhibitions opening during April’s South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk.

  

  Downstairs Gallery: Photography by Cheyenne Moore

  my heart has no limit. it creates a home for every moment i’ve felt alive, and every time i’ve wanted to die. i’ve felt my soul sing as the sun set, and my eyes sting when a lover left. i’ve lost myself in other people, and forgot to love myself.

  places are important in my memory. they are worth documenting.
  because people come and go, but places stay the same.

  and I’d rather fall in love with places anyway.

  

  Upstairs Gallery: Ink paintings by Jose Eduardo Castro

  “I don’t envision a very long life… I’ve designed it that way.”

  Townes Van Zandt did not request any sympathy, or desire to be rescued in his slow suicide. He designed it that way, revealing an awareness of a voluntary self-destructive lifestyle: the consequence from the absence of a sanctuary.

  Van Zandt’s words compose these frame ink paintings. Each word is illegible because it was written on stationary spinning at the frequency of a vinyl record, 33 revolutions per minute. The combination of text on spinning paper, results in chaotic lines that have no fidelity to organized linguistic structure. Instead, the distorted words read the turns of his life, here embalmed in modest pine.

  Van Zandt embraced his own mortality, awaiting sanctuary in death. His songs captured the blues of exaggerated truths. Mere words, strung across chords, the hymns tailored to the weight of my shoulders. His records are the relics of a canonized bohemian who I fortunately discovered.

• Phantom Galleries at Pho69 – 321 South First St. map

  
  

  Photography by Diane Kreiter

  Diane Kreiter is a Fine-Art photographer living in Santa Clara, working primarily with small-format (35mm), black & white film, making unique toned silver gelatin photographs. This current exhibit presents examples from an expanding body of work that concentrates on industrial interiors, exteriors, remnants and machinery found at working and abandoned factories, both in Silicon Valley and Louisiana and Georgia. While scouring various industrial environments for potential images, Diane is drawn mostly to the more intimate interiors, and especially the mechanical relics, which eventually result in a photographic still-life that speaks to the surprising beauty found in our rapidly fading industrial landscape.

• Psycho Donuts – 288 South Second St. map

  
  

  “Spring Refresher” A new season brings wonderful works of art by some of the bay’s hidden gems.

  Works by: David Mejia, John Hageman, Lori Herbst, Chris Shary, DonBon, Dylan Kelly, Jared Konopitski, Julie Meridian, Nicolas Caesar, and Michael Foley.

• Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

  
  

  “Earthscapes” by Huggen Angeles

  Huggen Angeles is sharing his black-and-white photographs of some of the rich and dramatic “earthscapes” in Northern California. With inspiration from Ansel Adams, Huggen attempted to capture each image at the most unique moment in time without the complexity of colors. One of the images ranked 3rd place at the 2014 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

• TechShop San Jose – 300 South Second St. map

  

  “Lost in the Middle,” Khela Designs by Maria Amigo

  “Lost in the Middle” is a collection of intricate designs mapping my journey of personal growth from my hometown, a Mediterranean city in the south of Spain, around the world, and through 2 years living in California.

  Like an unspoken diary, each line tells a story, each layer represents a lesson, and each finished piece a milestone along the way. My designs are my way of expressing something I don’t yet understand – a sense of my deeper self that I am still trying to figure out. Already embarked but not yet arrived, I find myself lost in the middle of this journey of self-discovery. It is my hope that my work inspires you to feel connected to a journey familiar to anyone. The Journey of self discovery is what it is to be human and, in that, an experience we all share. I invite you to follow along as I continue my journey, using my work as guideposts along the way. With any luck, and with an open heart, within my journey you might find echoes of your own.

  This collection is expressed using various media including canvas, wood and paper. The motifs are influenced and inspired by mandalas, geometry, and nature. You will find some of my most popular pieces of different sizes, heights, colors and shapes. I pour myself into each design and they become part of me. How it connects with you is where the journey becomes your own.

• Vyne Bystro – 110 Paseo de San Antonio Walk map

  

  “Studies” by Carlos Espindola

  The body that structures an exhibition has a process of a study. These are the works that take you through that process of working.

• South FIRST FRIDAYS presents
  9th Annual SubZERO Festival June 3rd & 4th
  6pm–midnight in the SoFA District

  

  Focused on emerging and present subcultures thriving in our region, SubZERO is a DIY, artistically bent, hi/lo-techno mashup where street meets geek. Now two days! Come out either night (or both!) and enjoy open galleries, 100+ artists, performers, indie businesses and live bands celebrating the creative spirit!

  http://www.subzerofestival.com