Help Local Color Make History

Help Us Make History

In partnership with Adobe and the San José Downtown Association, Local Color will be working to transform San Pedro Square into a vibrant, multi-colored pedestrian-friendly corridor!

The concept by Jimmy Paints, entitled “Threads Woven,” will cover more than 12,000 square feet of a portion of San Pedro Street, which is now permanently closed to vehicles.

How does such a gigantic piece of public art come to life? With help from our community!

From May 27-31, you can volunteer to help us complete the largest asphalt mural in San José. You’ll even receive a coupon for discounts at local shops for sharing your time with us! Click the button below to sign up.

Volunteer

Color Me Rad Spring 2024 Cohort members alongside workshop leaders Jessica Carmen (L) and Rebeca Escobedo (R). Photo by Alex Knowbody.

Color Me Rad | Spring 2024 Recap

Eleven South Bay students joined forces for our Color Me Rad Spring 2024 cohort earlier this month. Over one week, this group worked together to create a collaborative mural!

Led by working artists Jessica Carmen and Rebeca Escobedo, these Young Artists learned about the history of murals, worked together on a group concept, and sold completed collage works at the Color Me Rad closing reception. The reception and mural unveiling was held inside the Arya, which offered a first glimpse at our new gallery and workshop space.

Congratulations to Trista Bañez, Ilira Jane Black, Arya Lurie, David Moreno, Maria Perez, Jax Ramirez, Michelle Fernanda Gámez Rueda, Heldana Thomas, Ghazal Vaghefzadeh, Hongyi Xin, and Annabelle Zubrod. Thank you for your hard work! Additional thanks to Jessica and Rebeca for leading workshops all week, and our fearless Creative Experiences Manager Janet Appleton for organizing another successful event to help cultivate the next generation of creative talent.

The cohort’s completed group mural. Photo by Alex Knowbody.

Color Me Rad is supported in part by the California Arts Council, the City of San José’s District 5 Council’s Office, and SVCreates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara and the Sares Regis Foundation.

Want to see more programs like these? Donate to Local Color to help empower the next generation of Young Artists, and learn more about our Youth Empowerment Series.

Donate

LoCo Happenings

Two Events Left at Creekside Socials

Our Spring workshops flew by! We have two Creekside Socials events left before we close out our Spring 2024 series.

RSVPs are booked for our piñata making workshop on April 30, but keep an eye out for slots to open for our final workshop of the season: rock painting with Painting with James on May 14, with music from School of Rock San José.

In addition to our Makers & Music workshops, we’re offering pop-in activities for upcoming Creekside Socials events, including several drop-in workshops at the Maum Market, happening May 11 from 12-4pm. Find out more via Creekside Socials.

Staff & AIR Members Tour Adobe HQ

Our downtown neighbors Adobe were kind enough to lead Local Color staff and artists through a tour of the various art works and installations scattered throughout their four-building headquarters. We got to see these large-scale projects up close, and even spotted a hand-painted piece by Ken Davis that had our sign painters in attendance geeking out!

Thanks again to Janice and Eddie for leading our group, and Adobe for the opportunity to learn more about the art pieces present on your campus.

SJSU Ad Club Speaker Panel

Deputy Director Carman Gaines and Communications Manager Brandon Roos were invited to participate in a panel discussion at San José State, hosted by the Spartan Ad Club! The two shared about their personal journeys to Local Color, and outlined the evolution of the organization’s brand and image over its 9-year history. Thanks for the chance to share Local Color’s story with an engaged audience!

Mural Tour with AARP California

Local Color led AARP California members on a leisurely walk along Santa Clara Street to share about San José’s creative spirit. The mural tour was part of the “Let’s Take It Outside” program, which gives participants an opportunity to learn about and explore various outdoor places and spaces throughout the state. If you’re an AARP California member and would like to take part, stay tuned! We should be leading more tours like this in the future.

Greetings From Grantland

San José Creative Economy Fund

The San Jose Creative Economy Fund is back! Grants of up to $8K will be awarded in support of projects that contribute to San José’s cultural vibrancy, show evidence or “signs of readiness,” grow and achieve the business’ financial resilience and demonstrate an economic impact in the City of San José.

Learn more at an upcoming info session on May 8, or sign up for drop-in Q&A’s on May 17, May 28, and June 6. Apply by June 17. More info.

“Bend the Arc” Grant to Fight Racial Injustice

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is currently accepting applications for the Asset Forfeiture for Racial Justice Grant Program. This program advances District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s “Bend the Arc” reforms to address racial discrimination, disproportionality, and promote equity within the criminal justice system. Monetary grants will be awarded to organizations, individuals, or groups that are successfully addressing racial inequities in Santa Clara County, with recipients eligible for awards up to $5,000.

To apply, send a one-page letter of interest to hmeza@dao.sccgov.org by May 10. Click here for details.

Community Opportunities

Apply to Work with Mosaiceye

Mosaiceye’s mission is to steward peace, love, and freedom on Earth via expressive healing arts and reflective community circle. Join Chetna Mehta and their team by applying for one of three open part-time contractor positions. Mosaiceye is currently looking for a Community Engagement Specialist, an Operations Administrator, and a Grant Writer. More info on these positions can be found on Mosaiceye’s collective page. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to chetna@mosaiceyeunfolding.com.

“Boundaries” — Submissions Now Open for Experimental Exhibition

Submissions are now open for Gen Arts Silicon Valley’s 4th annual Experimental Exhibition, Boundaries. Santa Clara County artists of all levels (emerging to established) working in painting, drawing, mixed media, fiber/textile, photography, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, film, and animation are invited to apply. As an experimental exhibition, artists are encouraged to think beyond convention and push the boundaries of their creativity. Submissions are open until June 2.

1st Annual Firme Films Lowrider Showcase

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo cruising, get into the action through historical film on the big screen. Hosted by Lowrider Fever, this free educational event for most ages (some adult language) will screen several short films about lowrider culture. Screenings are from 12-2pm and 2:30-4:30pm on May 4 at MACLA. Seating is first come, first served. Click here to RSVP.

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