New Space, New Works, New Month!

Muralist Elba Raquel hand painting elements of her design "Unexpected Heights."

Welcome to Our New Home!

In a few short weeks, we’re excited to welcome you to our newest creative space.

We’ve been working with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) since 2021 as they built out their Arya building in downtown San José. The new project is located at the corner of S Almaden Blvd. and Balbach St., next to Kukar’s House of Pizza. Previously, we moved into spaces slated for demolition at a later date. This is the first time Local Color has been integrated into the planning of a brand-new building!

As part of our two-year lease, we will offer creativity workshops from the ground floor of the Arya’s 87-unit residential site built to serve low-income families and individuals. Stay tuned for public workshops with local artists and exhibitions in our gallery space.

Join us in mid March for SAHA’s grand opening as we start a fun new chapter at Local Color!

To support Local Color’s search for a “forever home,”
please reach out to hello@localcolorsj.org

797 RCD | New Volunteer Mural in Downtown SJ

On February 9, we welcomed folx to the corner of S Almaden Ave. and Virgina St. to help us complete a mural designed by Sasha Mufasa. The lot was previously home to a taqueria and will become an affordable housing development in the coming years.

To bring a sense of community identity to this lot in transition, we were asked to commission a mural that could be completed with help from volunteers. Sasha’s design celebrates the vibrancy of life in the neighborhood and many children going to school with a vivid color palette, the walls radiating with pops of yellow, orange, purple, and blue.

Thank you to the 30 volunteers who helped us on a sunny Friday. You made quick work of the 1500 square feet of space we needed to cover! Additional thanks to Resources For Community Development (RCD) for the opportunity to transform an empty lot into a canvas for community expression.

Photos by Alex Knowbody and Brandon Roos

Are you or your team interested in volunteering on future projects?
If so, reach out to hello@localcolorsj.org.

Welcome Back to Creekside

This month, we launched our Spring workshop series with Creekside Socials. Charlene from Momstera and Angela from The Aura Stream kicked things off with an immersive creative experience. Pairing preserved fauna with sound healing, the two delivered a Zen Moss Art Workshop that taught attendees how to create their own hanging works of art!

We continued the series on February 28 with a Brush Lettering Workshop hosted by Ben Henderson from Brush House. He was joined by B Roos, who provided a soundtrack to the event with curated vinyl selections. This workshop hosted 30 guests, and there are SIX more opportunities to join us this Spring.

Check out our full season schedule below, and be sure to follow us on Instagram to find out when RSVP’s open for each new event.

Photos by Alex Knowbody

LoCo Happenings

The completed design of one of Francisco Ramirez's two murals, evoking themes of growth and abundance.

“It’s All Love” at 50 BO

Artists in Residence inside Local Color’s light industrial studio space opened their doors to the public for “It’s All Love,” a Valentine’s Day-themed afternoon of custom cart and community, on February 10. Get to know some of the 50 B.O. studio members better as they share their favorite love movie. (Photo & Video by Alex Knowbody)

Paint the Town Now Open at NUMU

New Museum Los Gatos opened their new exhibition on February 23. The gallery event, curated by Local Color, features Wisper live painting a new mural on select days alongside photos from Buggsy Malone documenting Wisper’s mural Freedom. Wisper and Paint the Town were recently covered by The Mercury News. (photo from @newmuseumlosgatos on Instagram)

Artist Tomas "Wisper" Talamantes starts to add color to his new mural-in-progress inside New Museum Los Gatos.

Greetings From Grantland

Content Emerging Artist Award Workshop Recap

In mid-February, we co-hosted an application workshop with SVCreates to assist creatives interested in applying for the Content Emerging Artist Award. Michelle Marie Robles Wallace and Local Color Deputy Director Carman Gaines walked attendees through the application process and offered insight on crafting effective applications. Thanks to all who joined! If you missed the workshop but still want to apply, find details here. Applications are due by March 15. (Photo by Alex Knowbody)

One Week to Go for CA Arts Council Grant Review Panelist Applications

Panelists serve as field representatives across creative sectors with opportunities for grant-making insight and professional development.

The California Arts Council has one week left in its open call for applicants to serve on peer-review panels for the 2024 grant season. The state art agency is seeking arts and cultural practitioners from disparate communities statewide to volunteer for a critical role in the grant application process as grant review panelists. Applications for the panelist opportunity will close on March 8.

Digital flyer for grant review panelist opportunity.

Community Opportunities

Pick Up a Hoodie for San José Day

Local Commons member San José Day just dropped new hoodies featuring Sunny, the brand-new San José Day mascot. The design comes from a Local Color Artist in Residence: J. Duh. Hoodies are available in both black and dark chocolate. Pre-orders end today. All sales will help the event fund more activities.

Now in its sixth year, this free, family-friendly event features local live music, dance performances, vendors, and more! San José Day preserves our existing culture and welcomes new and existing residents and visitors from outside the city to experience and be a part of San José on April 6, 2024.

Looking for another way to help? San José Day is also in need of volunteers. Click here to get involved!

SJ Waacking Presents Disco Connection

Presented by San José Waacking Sessions and shared through the City of San José’s Creative Ambassador Program, Disco Connection aims to build connections among San José ’s diverse communities through a shared love of music and dance. Founded by Alice Hur, San José Waacking highlights waacking, a queer dance rooted in freedom and individual self-expression, through participatory dance events and educational workshops.

Once a month, from March through June, Disco Connection features a training session with a local artist from a different dance style community. These guest sessions seek to expand the way waackers think about movement, as well as connect different segments of the Bay Area street dance scene. Workshops are free, but donations are welcome. The first workshop on March 4 will feature Scar, a renowned break dancer from San José who represents Izakaya Squad.

Flyer of Disco Connection guest instructor event with Scar.

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