Lyn Bishop : Sharing Secrets

Back in June, ARTSHIFT San Jose began seeking nominations for their first annual ARTSHIFT AWARDS. In an open process, anyone could nominate a Silicon Valley artist, event, organization, curator, educator or exhibition for special honors and a cash award. Last week the winners were announced at a special party and ceremony held at Orchard Commercial on North First Street. (By the way, kudos to Orchard Commercial for their commitment to our Silicon Valleys art community.)

A large crowd of supports came out to celebrate the arts in Silicon Valley. Erin Goodwin-Guerrero (editor of ARTSHIFT San Jose) provided background information about all the nominees. James Morgan (designer/technical advisor ARTSHIFT), spoke about an online art scene and the Silicon Valley art community in the digital age. JoAnne Northrup (senior curator, San Jose Museum of Art) addressed San Jose and Silicon Valley’s evolving art scene and Kerry Adams (director, Office of Cultural Affairs) presented the two cash awards. (more…)

On Saturday, San Jose hosted a town hall meeting for artists interested in learning more about the city’s new Creative Entrepreneur Program.

Kim Walesh, Chief Strategist for the city, began by expressing her optimism that today, more than ever, there is more opportunity for artists to be a part of the San Jose economy. Artist based business are growing faster than other segments and San Jose has a high rate of independent creative entrepreneurs.

The Silicon Valley companies that are really succeeding — think Apple– understand the intrinsic aesthetic value that creativity brings to their product. San Jose’s future plan now includes steps to honor both the the left brained technologists and the right brained artists, and recognize innovation in all their various aspects. Walesh suggested that city government was crafting a future plan where not only arts and cultural facilities were included, but now individual artists were encouraged to think together with them to build an artist friendly San Jose. (more…)

Community art and performance center, Works/San Jose, is reopening with a new show titled re: group that opens on August 1st and runs through September 13. The gala reception is schedule to coincide with the August First Friday event, August 1st, 7pm until late.

This is good news, as Works/San Jose offers local artists and curators a place to exhibit and engage with the community in an effort to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience in downtown San Jose. Founded in 1977 by local artists to form an alternative non-profit art and performance center, Works/San Jose is an important cultural institution within the fabric of the south bay arts community. It would have been a real shame to see it close for good. (more…)

This past week, San Jose hosted the second biennial 01SJ Global Festival of Art on the Edge in it’s downtown environs. Compared to my experience two years ago, when then called Zero One shared the limelight with ISEA (International Symposium on Electronic Art), this years festival was much more approachable and ultimately more enjoyable for the attendee with artwork that was easier to find and interact with.

On Friday night, the whole of downtown was abuzz with the energy of the arts. The First Friday SOFA Block Party generated exciting energy with people milling about, artists sharing their creativity, and music coming from all directions. The upbeat energy made for an enjoyable walk around town, from the SOFA district, to the San Jose Museum of Art (which I hope will consider staying open on First Fridays more often) to the various public art (best seen at night) placed around the central core of the city.
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I ran into Lori Gordon again yesterday. I think it’s interesting how the universe continues to offer opportunities for connection. She’s showing her interactive text paintings at the ICA and in a strorefront window space on First Street.

exhibition announcement for This show needs you

The ICA is currently exhibiting This show needs you which explores work that emphasizes the collective social experience (March 28-May 17, 09). Artists in the exhibition respond to our world by creating work that asks the viewer to engage in a shared experience, and to be a part of the process.

Sound familure? I wrote about How Fast Your World Is Changing a week or so ago, and this exhibit at the ICA is along a similar thread in offering the viewer the potential to participate in creating something new from the experience.

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