The Pacific Region Women’s Caucus for Art is sponsoring Blue Planet a fine arts exhibition accompanying “Elements: An Eco-Art Conference”.

Eco-art often carries a layered meaning that aids in the understanding and appreciation of the environment, addresses community values, and/or inspires activism on behalf of the ecological systems of which humans and their cultures are a part.

For the Blue Planet Exhibition, we seek work that examines and explores the social, political and economic issues related to water. All media including installation, video and collaborative projects that fit within the gallery space may be submitted. This show is open to all artists living in California and all national WCA members.

This show will be at SOMArts Cultural Center in San Francisco from June 19 to June 26th and is juried by Eco-Artist Kim Abeles. The deadline for entries is April 24th, 2010.

Please download the prospectus at www.sbawca.org

The South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk takes place every first Friday of the month (except January and July) featuring 15 art venues and art friendly businesses in the SoFA District and beyond.

The art walk is 8pm 'til LATE and is free and open to the public.

art by Lacey Bryant

KALEID Gallery?- 88 South Fourth Street (at San Fernando)

7pm–9pm Opening reception: The Sketch Book Show

Take a rare peak into the twisted minds of 29 artists! Peer into the depths of their sketchbooks and see what makes them tick. Step into their brain space and enjoy by DJ Coco, catering by Fundamental Gourmet, coffee by Red Berry Coffee Bar and conversation with the sketchers themselves!

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Phantom Galleries - art exhibits in vacant storefronts

Guy Brookshire

386 South First Street: Illustrations from the Book of Dreams are book art collages, created with precision blades and glue by destroying reference, art, history, and science publications. They illustrate uncanny narratives of which no knowledge is required. The universe they describe is the work of Guy Benjamin Brookshire.

Andy Gouveia

388 South First Street: Fault-lines an installation by Bay Area artist Andy Gouveia.

A spray can and house paint mural painted live in Golden Gate park as part of the Indy Arts Fest 2009. This exhibition also hosts an array of his smaller paintings dealing with the myth and mystery of the ancient world.

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Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design - 366 South First Street

Artist's Reception: Indoctrination debut solo exhibition of Dante Horoiwa

Under the skin of his everyday life in Brazil lies Horoiwa’s Japanese heritage. His paintings portray the spiritually lost and lonely. Through his work, from life-size paintings in São Paulo to the side of a 4 story building in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Horoiwa is able to cope with his want to hide from the world and his need to be a part of it.

Also on view in galleryONE: Art of Zines 2010
featuring hundreds of zines from basements, bedrooms and midnight copy shops throughout the US and abroad.

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Art Glass Center of San Jose - 465 South First Street

The SJGAA invites you to get a special sneak peek at their new fine art gallery extension as they expand the Art Glass Center of San Jose. Lionel Chapital and Lori Peterson will be on the torches creating precious little works of art just in time for Easter.

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Mariana Garibay, Tangle Weed, monotype, collage, acrylic and string mounted on wood, 2009.

MACLA - 510 South First Street

Currently on view Conceptual Landscapes: recent work by Castillo and Mariana Garibay. Ancestry, nature and form are reflected in this two person show featuring site specific installation and works on paper.

Join us for the Artist Talk on Friday, March 5 at 7:30pm for a gallery walk through and an engaging conversation about their work.

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The Angel Equation by Joan Schulze

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles - 520 South First Street

In the Main Galleries: Poetic License: The Art of Joan Schulze is a retrospective of the prolific 40-year career of innovative Bay Area collage artist Joan Schulze.

Also on view: Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense: The Art of Lucy and Ellen Begay, a rare collection of a remarkable body of work by two contemporary Navajo weavers, a mother and daughter, whose work is deeply rooted in the traditional lifestyle they still lead.

Special event 8-9pm: Reading of original poetry by Joan Schulze.

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SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery - 577 South Market Street

Web comics are all the rage these days and SLG presents artwork from one of the most popular webcomics on the internet as artist Ethan Nicolle shows of his work from AXE COP. For the uninitiated Axe Cop is the web comic created by Ethan and his five-year-old brother. Have you ever read something and said to yourself "Was this written by a five year old?" Well, Axe Cop IS written by a five year old and it's one of the funniest thing on the web. Entertainment Weekly and NPR agree and we are sure you will too.

Also, the Andy Ristaino Escape from Dullsville show continues. Live music by Jazz Trio Quasimodal.

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Blue Canyons by Terenia Offenbacker

Works San José - 451 South First Street

Opening reception: Female Found Mixed Media Contemporary Art, curated by Terenia Offenbacker, presents the work of eight women that create art together through weekly sessions for the past seven years. The materials used are common: paper, sand, metals, textiles, etc., but each artist works in a different creative way. Featured artists: Rosine Ferber, Ann Gordon, Camille Ball, Ricky Gumbrecht, Shuang Zhang, Sheryl Tealdi, Annette Legallet and Terenia Offenbacker.

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Caffé Trieste - 315 South First Street

Opening Reception: Venezia Revisited is a collection of paintings made by San Jose artist Eillen Graham after a 2007 trip to Italy.

Live music by Opera San José, featuring your favorite arias and duets starting at 8:30pm.

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Downtown Yoga Shala - 450 South First Street

Opening Reception: Yoga Inpired Art by Angeles Moreno

Simplicity, harmony, color, and strong outlines define her art, influenced by her life’s work as a graphic designer. Yoga came to her at its own time. It was in discovering consistent yoga practice that revealed a more profound significance and a fresh inspiration for her artwork.

Seeking a deeper understanding of the disciplines at the core yogic principles, Angeles completed the Ashtanga Teacher Training at Mount Madonna, founded 35 years ago by the silent Guru, Baba Hari Dass.

To capture and (re)express the many universal, positive messages from this ancient philosophy, the canvases began to fill with the Spirit of Yoga, compassion - balance - harmony.

Angeles Moreno is a yoga teacher at Downtown Yoga Shala. To see more of Angeles' work, please join us after Candlelight Yoga (6:15-8pm) as we open our doors to the art patrons and the downtown community for an Artist Reception beginning at 8pm.

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art by Wendy Neff

Good Karma Vegan Café - 37 South First Street

Opening Reception Group exhibit by Good Karma Staff
A mixed media, mixed artist show to celebrate the creative bunch that work at Good Karma. Featuring: Tony Buccino, Julia Lang, Otessa Crandell, Sarah Cade, and Wendy Neff.

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METRO Photo Exhibit- 550 South First Street

Opening Reception: I'm With the Band? photos by the First St. Photo Collective

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South First Billiards Club & Lounge - 420 South First Street

Opening Reception: Group Show by Illuskrate

Illuskrate is an art blog started and contributed to by Dion Bello and Anabella Pinon. The blog is an exhibit symbolizing work created after the day job some artists have to maintain to be able create the pieces displayed in these galleries.

The show is a collection of very talented South Bay artists that include; Anabella Pinon, Dee Jae Pa’este, Noel Huh, Nicole Terzic, Mike Borja, Daniel Valadez, Kristine Taormino, Kim Christman and Dion Bello.

Live musical performances by Fake Public and Can’t Find a Villain.

South First Billiards is now an ALL AGES venue.

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Art Ark - 1035 South Sixth Street

6-9pm Opening Reception: The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance curated by David Zhang

This traveling exhibition has been shown in more than 40 countries and over 200 cities worldwide. Last year a preview was held at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda. The show features oil paintings by 12 artists including: Kunlun Zhang, Xiaoping Chen, Yuan Li, Kathleen Gillis, and Xiqiang Dong whose art portrays the experiences, visions, and hope of Falun Dafa followers as they attempt to safeguard justice and peace while upholding their values in truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Free shuttle service from South First Street to the Art Ark Gallery every 15 minutes between 5:45 - 9:15pm. Meet in front of the Miami Beach Club

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For more information: please visit www.SouthFirstFridays.com or call 408-271-5155

Enjoy FREE PEDICAB RIDES between art venues courtesy of South First Fridays and Eco City Cycles!

This event is produced by Two Fish Design with additional support provided by 1st ACT, the San Jose Downtown Association and the San Jose Redevelopment Agency.

Media Sponsor: Metro Newspapers

In addition to being a featured artist in the Female Found group exhibit at WORKS which opens Friday, March 5th (part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk), Nadia will also have a solo exhibition of portrait works on view.

WORKS San Jose
451 South First Street
San Jose, CA

KALEID Gallery's Lacey Bryant has gathered a great group of artists to exhibit their personal sketch books along with their drawings, paintings and sculpture. Each artist has also provided a creative chair in which you can sit to view their sketchbooks.

The participating artists are: Murphy Adams, Ivy Atoms, Shirine Azimianaraki, Christine Benjamin, Laura Callin Bennett, Julie Bilyeu, Michael Borja, Lacey Bryant, Chemix, Drew Clark, Mark Damrel, Emonic, Michael Foley, Ivan Gonzales, Miguel Machuca, David Mejia, Trina Merry, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Pellet, Annabella Pinon, T.h. Pug, Kate Saturday, Matt Seigel, Yarick Semich, Lara Sophia, Ben Shuts, Jasper Thomas, Dax Tran-Caffee & Michelle Waters

Join us! Step into their brain space and enjoy music by DJ Coco, catering by Fundamental Gourmet, coffee by Red Berry Coffee Bar and conversation with the sketchers themselves!

Artists' Reception: First Friday March 5th, 7-9pm
(part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk)

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Dowtown San Jose, CA
www.KALEIDGallery.com

Update: Congratulations to KATE STEWART, the winner of the Cinequest Film Festival's Maverick Art Contest!

To see a plethora of photos of the paintings in progress during the film festival, click here.

pictured left to right: Dax Tran Caffee, Michael Foley, Kate Stewrt, Wädl,

Phantom Galleries is partnering with the Cinequest Film Festival 20 to bring you the Maverick Spirit Art Contest - a live painting event that takes place in the windows of the Camera 12 Cinemas during one of San Jose's most notorious and beloved events of the year.

Featured artists Dax Tran Caffee, Michael Foley, Kate Stewart and Wädl began their canvases last week and will continue through this Friday, March 5th. Feel free to stop by Camera 12 between 11am-11pm to view the works in progress and cheer the artists on.

All the artists will present their finished paintings at the Closing Gala Event on Saturday, March 6th at 7pm at the California Theatre on South First Street.

You can participate in the event by texting your vote for your favorite MAVERICK artist to Cinequest as listed below beneath each artists' image. (Text service provided by Mozes with no surcharges imposed.)

You can click on each image to get a larger view.

Dax Tran Caffee- text "CAFFEE" to 66937

Wädl- text "WADL1" to 66937

Michael Foley- text "FOLEY" to 66937

Kate Stewart- text "STEWART" to 66937

As you can see, all the work is amazing so the choice will be difficult, but your vote is important to the success of the event, so please take a moment to vote for your favorite MAVERICK ARTIST!

Please note that all paintings pictured here are works in progress. Follow us on Twitter - @PhantomTweets for live updates.

We will post images of the finished work after the winner is announced at the Cinequest Closing Gala.

Join us for TWO BUCK Tuesday March 16th!
curated by KALEID Artist Christine Benjamin

TWO BUCK Tuesdays is an all day $2 art sale and evening quirky speaker series that happens on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

$2 ART SALE starts @12pm

FUN TALKS start @7pm featuring:

Linda Waltrip will be talking about her inspiration and passion for clothing – from owning her own vintage clothing store: Park Place in Downtown Willow Glen, to being an incredibly talented seamstress. Some models will be showing off her creations!

Murphy Adams will give a illustrated story presentation on an overhead projector. With her quirky fun style it should be quite entertaining!

Nicolas Caesar will talk about being an outsider artist, showing art outside the galleries and survival tips for the modern artist.

SKETCH ARTISTS 6-10pm featuring:

Kate Stewart, Drew Clark, Michelle Waters, Lacey Byrant, Kyle Pellet and more (read above)

5 Minute $5 Portraits by Ivy Atoms

Also ALL artists are invited to bring their art supplies, and take a place at the sketch table! Space is first come first serve.

LIVE MUSIC @9pm featuring:

Benjamin Henderson is a bandit with a heart of gold. He steals strums, styles and stories from the past and sets them free to dance the good dance, night after night, venue after venue. His charm, powerful voice and musical ability will allow him to get away with it for years. No matter the setting or with what ensemble, Henderson always delivers a passionate and palpable energy to the listener.

BELLY DANCING featuring:

Persephone Dance Company is an Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance troupe who share a common vocabulary of movements and cues allowing dancers to fluidly move in tandem in 100% improvisational performances. PDC formally danced as Tribal Moon.

FOOD, COFFEE featuring:

Crunch Catering is a fresh company that was born out of a love for food and celebration. Located in San Jose and owned by chef Dave Nelson Crunch provides professional, friendly service with an artistic flair.

At Psycho Donuts peculiar donuts hobnob with quirky art, and a crazy, themed environment. Psycho Donuts has performed a facelift on the common donut, and has resurrected the corner donut shop from the brink of extinction. http://www.psycho-donuts.com/

Red Berry Coffee Bar artisan roasted, single origin coffees, are on location to serve and explain their selection and vision.

KALEID Gallery
88 So. 4th St. (btwn Santa Clara & San Fernando)
Downtown San Jose, CA 95112?
www.KALEIDgallery.com? 408.947.1785

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaleidgallery
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KALEIDgallery

Parking: street metered parking (free after 6pm) or 4th St. Garage (@San Fernando) $3 after 6pm.

Castillo's Visual Arts Network (VAN) residency at MACLA has come to an end but her work continues to make an impression. Castillo explored ideas of ancestry and lineage with members of the San Jose community to make Bloodlines a reality.

Neighbors, students, teachers and MACLA staff came together last Saturday to celebrate the completion of the project. Participants embroidered their family names onto red fabric that was woven through the trees in the Parque de Los Pobladores (aka Gore Park, across from MACLA in the SoFA District), creating figurative bloodlines. Bloodlines continues to inspire those walking by.

Stop by and visit the public art project when you have a moment, the trees are just beginning to flower and complement Castillo's impactful work.

photos by Astrogirl

University Art is having a one day super sale at all of its five stores on Thursday, March 18th from 8am - 7pm.

Everything in the store is at least 20% up to 70% off. All Art Alternatives canvases will be 60-70% off.

Visit their site for locations- http://universityart.com

This photograph entitled "Wall of Prayer" by KALEID Gallery artist John Eric Paulson, Master Photographer, was awarded Print of the Year by the Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area at their annual awards banquet last month. PPGBA is one of the largest local chapters of the Professional Photographers of America.

For more information on John Paulson, please visit his site http://www.johnericpaulson.com

At this year's show will be a Legends of Underground comics reunion. Spain Rodriguez, Dan O'neil, Ted Richards, S. Clay Wilson, John Thompson, Don Donahue and Mark Bode. These early pioneers in the underground comic scene will be in attendance.

Also happening is 240 tables of vintage to modern toys and collectibles, special appearances by Joyce DeWitt & Priscilla Barnes from Three's Company and actress Ola Ray (played the part of Michael Jackson's girlfriend in the "Thriller" video).

Saturday, March 20th
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111

Early Bird 9 AM - 10:59 AM, admission $15.00

General admission 11 AM - 4 PM, admission $5.00 / Kids under 12: $2.50

Visit http://www.timetunnelnews.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Kimy Martinez is a narrative painter that resides in south San Jose with her husband and two children. Her paintings are figurative, surreal and dream like in nature. An organic circle of life is connected to her imagery. Her work is powerful and visceral and packs an emotional punch.

A graduate of University of Portland, Kimy also has theatre and performance experience. She is editor of the online Literary and Visual arts magazine, LIT n IMAGE and is an esteemed member of the Works/San Jose Board. She is also active in Art Shots and the WOW program( Art Workshops On Wheels designed to serve the community)

A performance by Gianfranco Paolozzi on accordion, a Drum Circle and Open Mic are also part of the program. A Sober and potluck environment are encouraged.

Artist reception: March 26th, 7-9pm

Gallery TEN10 @ 21st Street and Taylor
San Jose , California
Al Preciado, Director
408-476-1968

THURSDAY GIG'S Art & The Spoken Word presents

Featured Artist: Elizabeth Parashis bills herself as a self-taught artist, having gone to school at West Valley College during the 70's when letting students do their own thing was p.c. Indeed it fits her style of free-wheeling expression which gives dynamic movement to her work. In her view mistakes are a plus and the more mistakes, the more successful a painting is. Thus, forgiving oneself is assured. One just pushes on.

Featured Poet: Kelly Cressio-Moeller is a native Californian who attended San Jose State University for her BA in Humanities and graduate work in Art History. Her poetry contains diverse themes, telling stories in evocative imagery and narrative that is both powerful and playful. Her work has appeared online at Eos: The Creative Context, Santa Clara County’s Family Album poem, LILIPOH magazine, forthcoming in the Willow Glen Book’s anthology: Remembering and the poetry journal, The Aurorean. She’s honored to read again at the Thursday Gig.

Open Mic follows

Thursday, Mar. 18, 2010, 6:30 - 9:30 pm

STONE GRIFFIN GALLERY
411 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell

This is a Pot Luck BYOB, Soft Drinks, Water event
Donations of $1 would be appreciated
If you can't bring food or donate, come anyway : )

Canvas Ghost Productions presents WONDERLAND 2010 Art Show

March 20th and March 21, 2010 at 992 South Eighth Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Come experience the sights and sounds of Wonderland 2010, inspired by the story of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This is an art party, so dress as your favorite character and come meet the artists.

March 20, 7pm to 10pm- MUSIC by Paul Relvas and Fontain’s Muse

March 21, 11am to 5pm- MUSIC by Dune Tran, Jenny Milne, Bill Rupel and Corpus Callosum.
Noon on the 21st will be a Tea Party

BAY AREA ARTISTS include Al Preciado, Amy Fort, dNA, Carlos Villez, Celeste Young, Christine Benjamin, Christopher Elliman, Cloud, Darius B'Alexander, Diana Hartman, Eileen Graham, Faye Kala, Gianfranco. Glenn Domingo. Jared Konopitski. Jaya King, JB Kelly, Justyna Przygoda , Kathy Blackburn, Kate Saturday, Lacey Bryant, Laura Callin Bennett, Maggie, Matthew Bailey Seigel, Michael Foley, Michelle Waters, Mike3.5, Nic Ceasar, Takashi, Talia Gragert, Tomek Przygoda , Trina Merry

CATERING by Fundamental Gourmet.
Free for all ages. Free street parking. Bicycle friendly venue.

For more info contact Canvas Ghost by email: info@canvasghost.com or call 408-394-1093

We mentioned these on *twitter late last week and received many comments from artists that they found it helpful, so we're posting it again here:

"How To Get A First Show With An Art Gallery" - click here.

"How Not To Succeed In the Art World" - click here.

*@Phantomtweets

The show's aim is to bring notice to two of San Jose's longest standing studios- the Citadel & the Cannery, which possess a unique artist sub-culture in San Jose's Martha's Garden.

The show uniquely pairs co-curators April Gee, who spent a short stint at the Artist Guild Mansion before recently starting a community-centered studio at the Citadel, and Phil Tiger, better known as the phantom of the Citadel, a very talented "him against the world" artist who was educated at the Art Center in Pasadena.

Visual Artists include" Jaclyn Alderete, Ben Alexy, Osvaldo Baron, Michael Borja, Michael Buscemi, Gabriel Coke, Michael Denning, Christopher Elliman, April Nat Gee, Jenny Jigour, Miguel Machuga, Santino Majok, Trina Merry, Omar Morineau, Rod Santos, Courney Thiesen & Freddy Vega.

Musicians include: David Knight, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Amy Israels, Constrained Randomness, God Intoxicated & DJ Rob Riddle.

All artists will be painted in tribal face paint by Tiger and Merry, then photographed by Tinh Le.

There will be a book signing by Robyn Boyd, author of Rawsome Receipes & free raw foods for all.

YOUNG CANNIBALS Art Show at the Citadel (in the "Garden Studio" #404)
855 South 5th Street, San Jose
Friday, March 26th from 8pm-Late.
Free and open to all.

Thursday, March 25th: Music Law 1
With Edward Hearn

Location: Room 210 of the Music Bldg. at San José State University
Time: 6:00pm - 7:45pm

This two-part workshop will present an overview of the fundamental business law and intellectual property law matters concerning musicians with respect to sound recordings in the analog and digital environment. Part One will include, by way of example, copyright, trademark, and music publishing matters.
Registration for both workshops is recommended but not required.

Registration Fees: General Admission, $20; C.L.A. Members, $10; Senior
Citizens & Students, $5.

To Register: Call (415) 775-7200 ext. 107, or email
ncalegal@calawyersforthearts.org.

The second workshop will be in April:

Thursday, April 22: Music Law 2
With Keith Cooper

Location: Room 210 of the Music Bldg. at San José State University
Time: 6:00pm - 7:45pm

Description: This two-part workshop will present an overview of the fundamental business law and intellectual property law matters concerning musicians with respect to sound recordings in the analog and digital environment. Part Two will include, by way of example, business arrangements among band members, relationships with managers, and record label deal terms. Registration for both workshops is recommended but not required.

Registration Fees: General Admission, $20; C.L.A. Members, $10; Senior
Citizens & Students, $5.

To Register: Call (415) 775-7200 ext. 107, or email
ncalegal@calawyersforthearts.org.

Billy Barnes presents VITA NUOVA (New Life) an art & music fundraiser to honor the Support Network for Battered Women.

Silent Auction and Raffle for Art, Sharks tickets, Gift Certificates and more! ALL proceeds from the raffle and auction go directly to the shelter.

Musical guests: Ben Henderson, David Knight, DJ P-Koosh and Dirty Duo.

Artists include: Blake Brand , Drew Roulette, Billy Barnes, Samantha Rusk, Robin Mitchell, plus many more...

Please visit the Support Network's website to learn more about this organization: http://supportnetwork.org/

Thursday March 25th, 7pm-10pm
$5 admission at the door

Anno Domini
366 South First Street
Downtown San Jose

If you haven't had a chance to check out the much buzzed about SKETCHBOOK Show at KALEID Gallery, today is your last chance!

The participating artists are: Murphy Adams, Ivy Atoms, Shirine Azimianaraki, Christine Benjamin, Laura Callin Bennett, Julie Bilyeu, Michael Borja, Lacey Bryant, Chemix, Drew Clark, Mark Damrel, Emonic, Michael Foley, Ivan Gonzales, Miguel Machuca, David Mejia, Trina Merry, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Pellet, Annabella Pinon, T.h. Pug, Kate Saturday, Matt Seigel, Yarick Semich, Lara Sophia, Ben Shuts, Jasper Thomas, Dax Tran-Caffee & Michelle Waters.

Gallery hours:
Tuesday thru Friday, Noon - 7pm
Saturday Noon - 5pm
First Fridays til 9pm

ArtObjectGallery presents Sara Cole with Rachel Lazo and Luis Gutierrez
April 10th through May 15th, 2010
Artists' Reception: Saturday, April 10th, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Gallery hours: Friday and Saturday 12 to 5 and by appointment

ArtObjectGallery
592 North Fifth Street
San Jose CA 95112
408 288-9305
http://www.artobjectgallery.com

The World Is Fragile Art Show by Mila Birger

Mila Birger is a local artist who was born in Belarus, then immigrated to Israel, and now lives in California. She speaks 4 languages and survived 2 immigrations. Her passion for art started as a hobby, while with time and experience it turned into something much more serious.

Working mostly with acrylic and watercolor, Birger works in different styles: collage and collage paintings, landscapes, still life, portraits and more.

The World Is Fragile is her first exhibit of the acrylic and watercolor medium, collage and collage paintings. The exhibit explores the philosophy of life, the beauty and craziness of the world and people.

View more of Birger's works by visiting her website here.

Artist's Reception: Saturday April 3rd, 7-9pm
Exhibition dates: April 1 - April 30th

Barefoot Coffee Roasters,
5237 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA, 95051

WANDA new paintings by Kurtis Rykovich

Everyday I am confronted or find myself thinking about a war so intense that it cannot be escaped, and in some way has touched us all. This war has a front line in every country and can take root in any neighborhood. In theory it is probably the least judgmental being or thing I can think of, since it shows no signs of discrimination. If this war leaves any survivors they always come out scarred but probably have never felt such a moment of empowerment. These survivors can finally breath and know that they have accomplished something that can sometimes be a miracle, they have survived Breast Cancer.

This show is a tribute to these survivors and casualties. Each piece represents a battle or search for a cure. Weather it be a green tonic, shark cartilage, or the ultimate warrior known as Chemotherapy. All of these represent weapons and hope that a future is not far in the distance.

I hope that when these paintings are viewed that they are not blunt about the disease but show a beauty and respect for those that might be going or have gone through this war. This collection was a direct result of my encounter with this war when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember how she was constantly trying to win the war and search for a solution, perhaps the most difficult part of this battle was she no longer felt like the beautiful women that she once was. I hope that these pieces help her to understand that she was always beautiful, this disease did not take away her femininity but did highlight her strength.

dedicated to WANDA (1952 - 2001)

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Speaking Line stories about people and their places by Kate Saturday

When we look at something, we take in its identity at a glance. We know immediately if it is a chair, a tree, a president, a wind, a story, or a hope. On further examination we can differentiate more precisely; the chair is a recliner or a picnic bench, the tree an oak sapling or a hundred-year-old giant sequoia. Deep familiarity allows us to see the object as itself, shaped by its history, unlike any other object in the world. A wrinkle is the face's memory of an expression. A scar is a historic marker. The story of our lives is how we differ from the general. Until we know someone that well, we cannot love them.

Kate Saturday is an artist, musician, and cartoonist living in San Jose. In Speaking Line, she traces the contours of her subjects lives. The resulting portraits are monstrous and jewel-like, precious and absurd. The situations are mundane, but unmistakably specific. Every line speaks volumes, and Saturday translates fluently.

A space will be available for drawing, writing, or reflecting, because a story needs a reader to give it voice.

Artists' Reception: Friday April 2nd, 7pm - 9pm
part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS monthly art walk. (Click here for more info.)

Exhibition on view through April 30, 2010

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 7pm
Saturday, Noon - 5pm
First Fridays 'til 9pm

KALEID Gallery
88 S. 4th St.
Downtown San Jose, CA 95112
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com

This Friday, April 2nd is the South FIRST FRIDAYS monthly art walk. In addition to excellent featured exhibits by Kurtis Rykovich and Kate Saturday at KALEID (7-9pm) there's some great new exhibits at the following venues (8pm - late):

at Caffe Trieste: Venice Squared A Photographic Comparison of Venice, Italy and Venice, California by John Eric Paulson, Master Photographer. Plus First Fridays is Opera Night! at Trieste.

art by John Cloud

at So. First Billiards: Bringing Back the Color! featuring: John Cloud, Mike Kjolhaug, Nicolas Caesar, Lina Ruelas

at Good Karma: Biomechanical Works Recent paintings, sculptures, prints and apparel by Ron Earhart

at Anno Domini: Cloud Empire solo exhibition of Dimitri Drjuchin (NYC) with music by Jhameel.

at SLG's Art Boutiki: Doris Danger: Giant Monster Adventures by Chris Wisnia. Also featuring artists: Wisnia, Simon Bisley, Neal Adams, Mike Allred and live music by Boozewhackers.

art by Ema Sintamarian

at Art Ark: (6-9pm): Live From the ARKives group exhibition is comprised of twenty local artists.

For full event listings and venue info, please visit http://www.SouthFirstFridays.com

For instant updates, follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/phantomtweets) or join our Facebook page here.