First Fridays ArtWalk SJ April 3rd, 5–9pm
SoFA District (& beyond!) downtown San Jose
Join us for FIRST FRIDAYS ArtWalk SJ – a unique night out with friends and family! It’s a great time for everyone and it supports artists and our vital arts, music, and performance venues.
Venues are open late, free admission, and all-ages. Be a part of the creative spirit that makes our city shine.
Enjoy free street parking or 90 minutes of free parking in the city garage at S. 2nd & San Carlos.
SoFA District
ANNO DOMINI // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 S. First St. map
AD SOMNIA (to the dreams): the wandering of a Dream-Passer
Céline Lyaudet (France) solo exhibition
Join us for the opening reception of AD SOMNIA by Céline Lyaudet 5pm–9pm with the artist in attendance.
AD SOMNIA (to the dreams) refers to the ancient rite of incubation—to lie down in Latin—which involved sleeping in a temple or sacred place to receive visions and answers from a divine entity during dreams. This practice, widespread in many cultures, is reminiscent of the shaman’s journey, as in the Dream-man figure of Ugrian culture in Northern Europe. Céline Lyaudet felt deeply related to these ancient rites in her own dream experiences and dived into those images and symbols as a great source of inspiration for her painting work.
She has taken notes of her initiated lucid dreams and visions for years, but only recently has she begun to glimpse topography, different types of places, wildlife, inhabitants, and spirits. From chaotic and fragmented episodes, a clearer path has begun to emerge—a world to explore, where Moon and Sun coexist, where she is sometimes a bird able to fly, or a wall-walker hiding in the House of the Abyss. Her body of work depicts these nocturnal journeys of visions, not as illustrations, but as partial memories pieced together from a single thread to reveal the pattern of a tapestry. The world of Dreams and painting are very similar: the desire to see further is accompanied by a surrender of control in order to be able to See and Listen.
From this need to assemble chaos were born her sculptural experimentations, Fetishes and Spirit Vessels, inspired by shamanic traditions of charged objects intended to embody spirits or ancestors that protect and heal. Created during a time of great anxiety, these vessels became receptacles to house protective spirits. Birds, dogs, or anthropomorphic figures were sculpted in clay like the small domestic idols of ancient houses, assembled with symbolic materials such as raffia, feathers, and shells. Inspired by ancient rites from different cultures, Céline seeks to articulate her personal rituals free from dogma—Rituals of Self that bring a sense of belonging to a greater Whole, hoping to See the Path beyond the Tall Grass.
KALEID Gallery – 320 S. First St. map
Artist’s Reception: Bridging Horizons
Mosaics by ,Xuan My Ho
Bridging Horizons presents the mosaic artwork of Bay Area artist Xuan My Ho, who has been creating mosaics for more than 27 years.
Known for her use of diverse materials and expressive three-dimensional designs, her work explores both real and imagined subjects with depth, texture, and vibrant detail. Over the years, she has created more than 300 pieces, ranging from wall hangings and sculptures to functional works such as tables, mirrors, and mosaic jewelry.
Opening reception: Art for Vietnam
An Exhibition to support communities in Vietnam
Step into a world painted with the soul of Vietnam.
This special exhibition, “Art for Vietnam” is more than just a display of breathtaking artwork – it is a heartfelt journey fueled by generosity and hope.
VNHelp proudly presents a magnificent collection of paintings, lovingly amassed over the years by a compassionate Vietnamese-American businessman and a philanthropist, who sought to help the artists as well as to support our charitable mission.
Every stroke of the brush serves a purpose, as the proceeds from this art sale will go directly to helping the underprivileged communities in Vietnam.
Be inspired by the art, and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need!
All proceeds will be used towards VNHelp’s charitable programs.
About the Artists:
In keeping with the spirit of the collection – its focus on enduring culture and the powerful act of philanthropy – many of these works, including those by street and emerging artists, are presented without specific artist names or titles. They stand together as a collective testament to the spirit of Vietnam and the boundless generosity that inspired this gift.
About VNHELP:
Founded in 1991, VNHelp aims to assist disadvantaged individuals and communities in Vietnam to achieve self-sufficiency through sustainable solutions in the areas of health, education, children, water and economic development.
MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 S. First St. map
026 Latinx Art Now! Exhibition
MACLA’s annual curated exhibition surveys the very best of contemporary Latinx art from the Bay Area and beyond. Over 30 Artists with works ranging from sculpture and paintings to mixed media, that celebrate the diversity of Latinx arts and culture and reflect current issues and perspectives. The exhibition culminates in a live art auction, MACLA’s signature fundraising event, May 16th.
Opera San José at California Theater – 345 S. First St. map
Join us for the First Fridays ArtWalk on April 3rd!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, adventure, and community at Opera San José.
Beginning at 5:30 PM, opera singers will sing live outside under the California Theatre marquee. Wander inside to discover another live opera performance at 7pm. Enjoy complimentary popcorn & lemonade and take part in a Scavenger Hunt Adventure that leads you through hidden corners of the theatre.
Bring your friends, family, and curiosity for a night of music and discovery. We can’t wait to celebrate South First Fridays with you!
Phantom Galleries at The Pierce Apts. Lobby Gallery – 2 Pierce Ave. map
Intuitive Abstraction
Anna Gelman solo exhibition
I call my style “abstract intuitive.” The process is guided entirely by intuition, emotion, and the subconscious rather than a predetermined plan or sketch, focused on the act of creation itself as the primary subject.
It is a conversation between the artist and the canvas. Each mark informs the next move in a continuous flow of response.
I use two general principles in my paintings: the spontaneous inner impulse and professional control over the painting as a whole. The strokes and colors are controlled instruments to express inner impulses and feelings. The shapes are often derived from landscapes and recognizable motifs, but they go beyond those elements.
Painting is the way to explore the inner world and express the intuitive sense of beauty. It is a passionate way to explore the unknown, inventing a new and a different reality.
San Jose Jazz – 310 South First St. map
San Jose Jazz presents free live music programming in conjunction with First Fridays ArtWalk SJ. Following sets by our SJZ U19s and the Michael Webster Quartet, our all-ages jazz jam features special guest famed ska saxophonist David Hillyard.
Schedule:
5:30pm – Doors
5:40pm: SJZ U19s
6:20pm – Michael Webster Group
7–9pm – Jazz Jam
David Hillyard is a veteran ska and reggae saxophonist who helped spread the gospel of roots ska, reggae and Jamaican jazz in America in the late 1980s and early ’90s. He’s played with Hepcat, Rancid and NYC’s classic ska group the Slackers across a career spanning thousands of concerts and hundreds of recordings.
Hillyard leads Rocksteady 7, formed through his meeting with veteran percussionist Larry McDonald at a Skatalites concert. McDonald, now 88, is a living legend from the first generation of Jamaican musicians to create ska and reggae music in the ’50s through ’70s. He played with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro-Jamaicans and on classic reggae recordings including the conga breaks on Toots and the Maytals’ Funky Kingston, plus tracks by Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Lee Perry. In the ’70s, McDonald moved to the United States and played with Taj Mahal and Gil Scott Heron.
Since their 1999 debut Playtime on Epitaph, Rocksteady 7 has built an international following. Jazziz Magazine noted “Hillyard can play,” while African Beat called them “Real Musical Revolutionaries Who Cut The Competition.” Their 2020 pandemic-recorded album Plague Doctor mixed ska, reggae, samba and Afrobeat. Their newest album Home for Dinner, mixed by Aggrolites organist Roger Rivas, explores reggae roots rhythms, straight-ahead jazz and deep ska, due for release February 26.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles – 520 South First St. map
The Woven Pixel
This exhibition explores the rise of digital weaving which emerged in the early 2000s. It brings together a variety of work by artists and designers who experiment with digital looms and jacquard software. It pays tribute to two artists in particular, Bhakti Ziek and Alice Schlein, who wrote “The Woven Pixel” (2006), which quickly became something of a bible for weavers in art, design and industry—-and referenced still today. Because every intersection of warp and weft represents a pixel, weaving seamlessly merged with the earliest computer technologies. Today digital weavers are altering the landscape of contemporary art and design using algorithmic painterliness, expressive structures and flexible parametric forms. Curated by Sarah Mills.
Historic District
Chopsticks Alley Gallery – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Bầu Cua Cá Cọp – Gourd Crab Fish Tiger,
Chopsticks Alley Art proudly celebrates eight years of creativity, community, and cultural storytelling. The number eight symbolizes prosperity, harmony, and an unending flow of connection.
Under a theme inspired by the spirit of Bầu Cua Cá Cọp, the beloved Vietnamese game of chance is often played during Tết Lunar New Year. Played with three dice and six iconic symbols: a gourd, crab, fish, deer, rooster, and prawn, the game evokes luck, risk, anticipation, and joyful unpredictability.
Reflecting these qualities, the exhibition showcases artists and artworks that speak to who they are, how they see the world, and the vibrant diversity of creative expression within our community.
7 pm “Live Variety TV Show Extravaganza!” – Featuring dance troupes, exhibitions, and more!
8 pm “Light Work by Combsy” – A Live Art Demonstration
Works/San Jose – 38 S. 2nd St. map
Community Art Auction 2026
Preview and bid on the work of 113 local and regional artists in the most accessible and eclectic art auction in the region! Bidding or not, visit the exhibition for a survey of San José to Bay Area talent. Among many great artists are Binh Danh, Cynthia Yadira Gonzalez, Francisco Ramirez, Natasha Kramskaya, Ria Sharma, Doug Glovaski, Tony May, and many more familiar as well as new artists. The exhibit continues through Saturday April 4 to an exciting Auction night. For 49 years, Works/San José has been your community art and performance space—the Community Art Auction is a chance to build your collection and community artists and your community art space!
Martha Gardens District
Art Ark Gallery – 1035 S. Sixth St. map
Codex Novus: Visual Forms of Music
by Mauricio Rodriguez
Mauricio is a Mexican American artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He works with an old heavy duty typewriter to engrave his pieces using handmade inks and artisanal pigments. He composes minimalist works that explore non realistic expression, aiming to recontextualize archetypal forms within a contemporary context.
FUSE presents at the Citadel Art Gallery- 199 Martha St. map
Ephemeral of the Eternal, a Menagerie/Memento Mori spotlight show at the Citadel.
Ken Joye and Heiko Greb strive to bring wonder into this world by creating strange and beautiful object, mostly out of wood. They are the spotlight artists at FUSE’s upcoming show at the Citadel.
You are invited to enjoy their newest work and installation, and contemplate the “Ephemeral of the Eternal” AND also see new works by many FUSE artists.
MACHU PICCHU Gallery of the Americas, Est. 1974 – 199 Martha St. map
Chullo: Traditional Peruvian hat by Quechua Knitters from Peru
The chullo is a traditional Peruvian hat finely knitted from alpaca, llama, or sheep wool. It is characterized by ear flaps designed to protect against the extreme cold of the Andes. As a symbol of cultural identity, its colorful designs and unique patterns reflect Inca heritage and the specific identity of each community.
They are made primarily from alpaca, llama, or sheep wool, making it both soft and warm. They are usually multicolored with geometric patterns, animals (llamas, condors), or symbols that tell stories and represent community identity. Old chullos are crafted by hand using traditional and intricate techniques sometimes adorned with tiny beads, making them fine works of ancient art.
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