There's no downtown San Jose art walk this month (January 7th) but there's still a couple of great art openings going on so you don't have to wait til First Friday February!

The Samurai, sculpture by Matthew Pugh

Surgery.Art presents Dark Matter a group study of the dark and immeasurable.

Opening reception: JAN 7 2011, 7-10PM

Fashion study: Mike Kemling

Auditory guidance: Dr. Stats, Femme Mystique, Kevorkian, Mixer Djammed

Featuring dark analytical work by: Matthew Pugh, Marie Dvorkin, Alla Viksne, Jay Ruland, Alex Yanushkevich, Kelly Nelson, Emily Feucht, Haley Goodlett, J. Marie Valdivia, Centa Schumacher, Mike Dvorkin, Genevieve Hastings, Shauna Mork + more

Curated by: Marie Dvorkin, Dora Lee

Exhibit dates: JAN 7 - JAN 21, 2011

Gallery hours: Tuesday - Friday noon - 7pm & Saturday noon - 5pm

KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947 1785

Over at Art Ark is Candy Coated Visions: recent works and site specific installation by Gwen Mercado-Reyes and Kajmear Reyes

Opening Reception: Friday, January 7 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Art Ark Gallery
1035 S. 6th street
San Jose, CA

and WORKS Gallery will be having a closing reception for the Works’ Member Exhibition "Ring In the New" from 7 to 10pm.

This exhibition is the most eclectic, startlingly open, unjuried annual regional exhibition of art. Work from the stars of the South Bay scene are brought together with first time exhibitors. Come celebrate and support your community art and performance center with the artists who do the same: including Tony May, Carmela Rizzuto, Catherine and Tim Thompson, Myrrh, James Morgan, Irene Suber, and 100 more!

There will be member announcements at 9pm. Artists in the exhibition can claim their work to take home at 10pm.

Works
451 South First Street
San José, CA 95113
http://www.workssanjose.org/

KALEID Gallery artist Shannon Amidon has returned safe and sound from her month long residency at the Julia and David White artist colony in Costa Rica. She recaps her experience on her website which is an insightful read....and will make you want to do a couple of residencies a year.

"Part of being an artist is “filling the well” and that’s what I decided to do, no longer fighting with my muse or mind and just enjoy my surroundings."

These art images are two main projects she completed while there. "The first one of those projects was taking portraits of the local plant life. It was so abundant and beautiful I felt the need to capture it. I didn’t take pictures in the traditional way of the plant or flower in its natural environment. Instead I brought it into my studio with special lighting and really focused on it as an individual piece. After I had the photos I then began experimenting with a paper weaving technique. I printed two copies of the photo out onto watercolor paper. I then cut strips into one vertically and one horizontally and then weaved them together. After the weaving was done I dipped the finished picture into encaustic wax to seal it and give it a softer look. I must say that I really like the results of this technique and plan to complete a series of them. The act of weaving the photos could take a long time depending on the size and was very meditative and relaxing."

"The second major project I worked on was my “Thought Pods” I found and collected lots of interesting seed pods around the colony. I wanted to use them in some way in my work. I also had brought some old books to work on book art projects. I combined the seed pods, book pages, and encaustic in interesting ways to create what I call “Thought Pods”. These were fun to create, I love books and writing and try to incorporate them into my work when possible. It was also messy and sculptural work which was enjoyable."

And she got to stay at the Tree House Hotel! A bed and breakfast hotel with 5 tree houses (each very private) on 8 acres and surrounded by a 70 acre wildlife refuge with a waterfall and river.

Read Shannon's website for additional photos and posts about her trip. www.shannonamidon.blogspot.com/

Save the date! The third installment of the Oversocial Mofo Revue is pleased to present the poetry of Laura Yes Yes, musical guest Emerald Hill, and burlesque with a twist from the lovely Laika Fox.

Note that this is the Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) qualifier. That means the highest scoring female poet earns the right to represent San Jose at WOWPS 2011. It also means ALL LADIES get a discount at the door.

More details will be posted soon, or visit the Facebook event page here.

Lowrider Arcade exhibit by Shorty Fatz at Anno Domini, June 2007

Matthew Rodriguez and Samuel Rodriguez, creators of Shorty Fatz in San Jose, will discuss and demonstrate their custom-built bicycles as part of SJMA’s ongoing “Creative Minds” series.

Shorty Fatz is a design and custom bicycle center created by Matt and Samuel, they design and manufacture custom, single-speed bicycles for enthusiasts interested in “cruisers” and fixed-gear bicycles.

This event should be a great discussion with two artists that are inspirational in their innovation as well as perseverance as entrepreneurs.

Thursday, Jan 6th, 5:00p to 8:00p
Admission: $8 ($5 seniors and students, free to members)

www.shortyfatz.com

San Jose Museum of Art
110 S. Market St., San Jose, CA, 95113
(408) 294-2787

Arclight Repertory Theater presents The Zahsman Murders at WORKS San Jose

Set in a New York police department where police are baffled by the identity of a serial killer, the show has a cast of six, one of whom is revealed at the end to be the man – or woman – they have been looking for. Suspenseful, fast-paced and edgy, the show will keep an audience guessing right up to the final showdown.

The Zahsman Murders is part of the ‘Sparklight Play Development Series’, created by Arclight to nurture and develop new Bay Area voices in the theatre. Sparklight provides emerging playwrights with the opportunity to refine their scripts through initial readings, feedback from the actors, directors and designers, and through post-show discussions with the audience, which can often lead to lively and invaluable dialogues.

The show will be staged at WORKS/San Jose as part of a community partnership with Arclight. This deliberately intimate gallery setting will place the audience in the world of the play, where they will preside like members of a jury while motives and evidence are presented to them, clues are examined, and the murderer is finally exposed. Multimedia elements will be used in lieu of exposition to acquaint the audience with the history of the Zahsman murders and engage them directly in the shadowy world inhabited by the serial killer.

January 14th – 29th, 2011
Thursdays – Saturdays 8pm / Sundays 2pm
$25 general / $15 students & seniors (65+)

Tickets available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/138827 or call (800) 838-3006

www.arclightrep.org

WORKS/San Jose Art & Performing Art Center
451 S. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Higher Fire is hosting a Mosaic Portraiture Workshop with Delaine Hackney. What a fabulous way to honor a loved one, be they pet or person. Typical finished size for each student's project is 12" x 14". This fun-filled workshop is designed for beginners and continuing students.

Two Saturdays, 10am - 4pm, Jan. 22 & 29, 2011

Instructor Delaine Hackney helps students create a realistic, texture rich, colorful and whimsical mosaic portrait made with ceramic and glass. Each student's portrait project (based on photo submitted before class) will strongly resemble their subject! Class includes lecture and demonstration on how to translate a photo into a mosaic template, use of basic mosaic tools and techniques. (visit http://www.delainemosaic.com for more info.)

Registration fee of $180 includes all materials and tools.
Photograph of subject must be submitted at least 10 days prior to class.
Register online at www.HigherFireStudios.com (click on Workshops --> Schedules & Pricing).

Call or email for more details:
Dan Dermer
Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery
499 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408.295.5765
info@higherfirestudios.com

Phantom Galleries will be coordinating on-going art exhibitions at the newest SoFA District restaurant PHO69 (located next door to Caffe Trieste). The restaurant has been getting great Yelp reviews since their opening last month with special mentions of their contemporary decor, great food and friendly staff. It's just missing your art on their large spacious walls!

We are looking for large scale contemporary art work that will add to their overall ambiance and customer experience. Exhibition duration will be 2-3 months (yet to be determined) and will be a participating venue in the South First Fridays monthly art walks. Art may be available for sale.

Art work will hang from a professional hanging system that the restaurant installed (no screws/nails in the walls.) Hanging areas are: (2) 20' wide x 6' tall and (2) 12' wide x 6' tall.

To be considered for exhibition, please email 5-7 jpgs (sized no larger than 900 pixels wide at 72dpi), with short bio and exhibit history to info[at]phantomgalleries.com

We'd like to start their exhibitions by First Friday February 4th, so please respond soon if you're interested.

Feel free to pass this opportunity onto other artists you feel would be a good fit!

For more information, contact us at info@phantomgalleries.com

Final viewing and closing reception for the awesome Pellet's Show
is Saturday, Jan. 22nd from 7-9pm.

Empire Seven Studios
525 N. 7th St.
San Jose, CA 95112
a href="http://www.empiresevenstudios.com">http://www.empiresevenstudios.com

The City of San Jose Public Art Program - Spartan/Keyes Neighborhood/Bestor Art Park Public Art Project

OPEN CALL TO SUBMIT QUALIFICATIONS

DEADLINE: Monday, January 24, 2011 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

For the complete RFQ: http://www.sanjoseculture.org/?pid=4500

INTRODUCTION
The City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, Redevelopment Agency and the Spartan Keyes Neighborhood Association are seeking an artist to create an art installation for Bestor Art Park located on Bestor between S. 5th and S. 6th Street. Up to four finalists will be selected to develop concept proposals and will be paid a fee of $500 (five hundred dollars) each. The budget for the actual project is up to $70,000 for design, fabrication and installation.

PROJECT BUDGET: $70,000

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
This call for proposals is open to artists who live and/or have a studio space in Santa Clara County. Submittal shall include a proof of residency or studio space relationship.

Artists must be eligible to work in the United States and have a valid U.S. Social Security or Tax Identification Number by the application deadline.

APPLICATION PROCESS
All materials will be submitted online, via CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system. To view the application, go to www.callforentry.org , register a username and password, navigate to “Apply to Calls”, and search the list for “City of San Jose - Spartan Keyes Neighborhood Public Art Project”.

There is an opportunity for artists to exhibit their works in a very respectable affluent office setting.

The coordinator Dorothy Whitman is an artist herself so understands the effects art can have on the employees and clients of a workplace and the potential for the artist to reach a new audience.

Art work may be for sale with no commission imposed, an artist's reception may be provided, and exhibits will rotate 3 times a year. All work must be appropriate and sensitive to a professional office setting.

To submit your work for consideration, please email:
- 4 to 6 jpgs of the series you propose to exhibit (images should be no bigger than 720 pixels on its longest side at 72 dpi)
- a short statement about your work
- a short bio with exhibit history
- contact info including phone, email and website

Email the above to Dorothy Whitman: ddixw [at] yahoo.com

KALEID Gallery presents

Two Buck Tuesday January 18th 7-9pm

Happy 2011!

Our monthly $2 art sale and quirky people coming-together event is back for the new year and we have tons of goodies for you!

J. Marie & Mike Dvorkin of Surgery.Art (along with several of their participating artists) will host a Q&A about their current show “Dark Matter” at KALEID Gallery. www.kaleidgallery.com/

The Samurai, sculpture by Matthew Pugh

Joe Decker will demonstrate how to photograph paintings and other artwork, talking about lighting and filtering issues, avoiding reflections, getting the color right, and coping with digital issues. There may also be a rant about metallic paint.
www.rockslidephoto.com/
www.rockslidephoto.com/photographing-artwork/

photo by Joe Decker

Reiji Hirayama will teach us how shoes are made, how to identify quality shoes and will give a demo on how to properly clean leather shoes to make them last. Bring a pair of shoes (non-lacquered or patent calf, bull or horse leather shoes in Black, Brown, Tan, Grey, Burgundy, Red, Navy, Purple, Heather) to participate!

Richard James will talk about his love of collage and the endless possibilities presented by the art form.

Michael Denning will teach a workshop on how to make art trading cards. Make your own art cards for $2!
www.heartofchaos.net/chaosblog/?page_id=244

Shannon Amidon will give a live demonstration of encaustic painting and mixed media techniques. Encaustic is a paint composed of beeswax, damar resin and pigments. Encaustic painting was practiced by Greek artists as far back as the 5th century B.C.!
www.shannonamidon.com

Lisa Mejia will create beautiful henna designs for a small fee.

Sonoma Walden Pond will host a vegan tea complete with cucumber sandwiches!

J Swizza will spin some sweet indie records.

David Mejia will be drawing portraits while you wait.

Marilyn Rowe will be recruiting yarnbombers.

Insane Craft Posse will hold a surprise crafting workshop! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_120938521295733

Live Painting By:
Kimy Martinez
Erikka Hugger
Jehoiakim Santos
Steven Reece
Jimmy Oliver Halverson
Jean Davis
Jo Anne Yada
Courtney
Laura Callin Bennett
Mariya Milovidova

This event if FREE & all ages welcome!

KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street
Downtown San Jose
www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947 1785

Local Essence is the annual members exhibition of the Santa Cruz Art League. All different types of media are represented from paintings, sculpture, photography, woodwork, ceramics, and more.

It's a great show that combines work of well established artists and emerging artists. It's divided into 2 parts, the (A-K) section is on view Jan. 15 through Feb. 6th and the (L-Z) section runs until Feb. 12 through March 6th.

Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Hours: Wed-Sat: 12pm-5pm, Sun:12pm-4pm
For more info, please visit: www.scal.org

image above by Charlene Chow

New works by Kori Thompson with an acoustic set by Those Charming Crooks (9pm), beats by David Ma.

Friday, January 28th 7pm-10pm

The Usuals
1020 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
shopthesusuals.com

apexart's Unsolicited Proposal Program

Continuing our annual Unsolicited Proposal Program, we will accept 600-word, idea-based exhibition proposals for evaluation by an international panel of apexart associates (curators, artists, writers, philosophers). Submissions are reviewed independently and anonymously—they are evaluated solely on the strength of the idea.

Previous curatorial experience is in no way required, and will not factor into the selection process.

Two proposals with the highest ratings are presented each season at apexart. For those in or outside the field, this program is a unique opportunity to have a professionally mounted exhibition in New York City!

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from around the world.

Guidelines for 2011/12 season

• Exhibition proposals will be accepted ONLINE ONLY from JAN 14 - FEB 14, 2011.

• Submissions are limited to 600 words maximum, emphasizing and explaining the idea behind the show, and up to four images.

• No catalogs, resumés, cv, or other support materials will be accepted.

• You will receive an e-mail confirmation upon submission. If you do not, please contact us.

• Final results will be e-mailed to submitters and posted online by MARCH 29, 2011.

Submit your idea here: http://apexart.org/up2011/submit.php

Creative Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing adventurous projects in five disciplines: Emerging Fields, Film/Video, Innovative Literature, and Performing and Visual Arts. Working in long-term partnership with artists, Creative Capital’s pioneering approach to support combines funding, counsel and career development services to enable a project’s success and foster sustainable practices for its grantees.

Creative Capital is the only national grantmaking and artist service organization for individual artists with an open application process.

Our selection process includes three steps: inquiry, application and panel review.

To be eligible to apply, an artist must be:
• A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• At least 25 years old
• A working artist with at least five years of professional experience

THE LETTER OF INQUIRY PHASE WILL BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2011. CREATIVE CAPITAL IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING INQUIRIES. TO ACCESS THE LETTER OF INQUIRY FORM, PLEASE RETURN TO THIS PAGE http://creative-capital.org/pages/apply ON FEBRUARY 1.

February 1 – March 1, 2011:
Open submissions for projects in Film/Video and Visual Arts. Download the 2011 Grant Guidelines for more information.

February 1 - March 1, 2012:
Open submissions for projects in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts

Prior to the grant deadline, our grantmaking staff hold information sessions to answer applicants’ questions. In addition, we are available for questions and advice throughout the application process.

If you have questions about the grant program or application process, please direct them to grants [at] creative-capital [dot] org.

Visit http://creative-capital.org/pages/apply for more information.

SJMADE is a one-day event comprised of local store-owners, makers, artists, and purveyors of Bay Area goods. From garage silk screeners, to twilight jewelry artists, to local brick-and-mortars, San Jose's homegrown scene is growing and flourishing. Meet creative minds from San Jose as well as other parts of the Bay Area.

Saturday, January 29th, 1-7pm
151 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95110
www.sanjosemade.com

art work by Charlotte Kruk, photos by Astrogirl

Cease & Desist addresses issues around the repurposing and recycling of materials that include an identifiable logo or trademark. The exhibition includes a site-specific installation by Los Angeles based artist Carrie Ungerman that examines consumption behavior around drinking water, while San Jose based artist Charlotte Kruk's traditional Spanish matador costumes made from candy wrappers celebrate the public's insatiable sweet tooth and defies the power of the large candy corporation.

The inspiration behind the title of this exhibition comes directly from Kruk's interaction with Mars, Inc., the company that owns candy such as M&Ms and Snickers. When the company learned of Kruk's creations - dresses and outfits made entirely of candy wrappers bearing its candy's names - Mars sent Kruk a "cease and desist" letter, notifying her she was not allowed to continue producing these works of art.

Many works of art have been created from found objects by masters of modern art such as Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso and Robert Rauschenberg, but what happens when art objects include the repurposed trademark of a a major corporation? As a society, we are encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle, however the laws around brand name usage leave the parameters around the reuse of product packaging unclear.

Opening Reception: Friday, Jan. 28th 7pm-9pm Free admission

Exhibit on view through April 17, 2011.

Montalvo Arts Center
Project Space Gallery
15400 Montalvo Road
Saratoga, CA 95071
montalvoarts.org

The Project Space Gallery is located next to the Box Office at Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, Calif. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or by appointment.