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Welcome to another issue of News and Resources for Creatives. Hopefully everyone had a chance to check out work by Miguel Machuca and Christine Benjamine at Gardner Community Center and Riga's European Bakery and Cafe. If you didn't be sure to do so before the end of the month!
We are ramping up for Spring and Summer and have lots of events coming up with great artist opportunities including an Art Auction for At Risk Youth, 4 solo exhibits, Chalk Art and an Art Expo. Be sure to check out our the Calls for Artists section to learn how you can participate as an artist and our Future Exhibits section for event details. Michael Borja and Felicity Hand are our featured artists this month and both will be putting on solo exhibits in April. If you are an artist and want to put on a solo or duo exhibit we have 3 great local venues to choose from. Check out the Call for Artists section for details!
As we grow we always appreciate more help. If you would like to volunteer with Heart of Chaos as an artist, teacher, event coordinator or writer for this bulletin please contact Joanne at joanne@heartofchaos.net.
Sincerely Your Editor,
Jenifer "Jen" Sluga
P.S. Don't miss Heart of Chaos Founder, Curtis Manzano's one night show at the Blank Club. See Future Exhibits for details. |
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Visual Artist Felicity Hand: The Way of Art has Shown Her the Way
By Joanne Hobbs
Although the road to one’s passion can often be a path of fits and starts, sometimes it unfolds without resistance, organically. Such was the case for visual artist Felicity Hand who remembers receiving some sort of art kit every birthday and at Christmas accompanied by lots of encouragement from her Mom and older brothers. She also remembers her Mom and her riding their bikes to Armstrong Woods when they lived in Guerneville. Once there they would spend hours drawing the trees with colored pencils.
In grade school, art was only offered once a week as an elective and Felicity signed up for it every time—although she had to promise her Mom that she would take Algebra concurrently with art.
At her eighth grade graduation in 1999 from Guerneville Elementary School, a definitive step toward becoming the artist she is today occurred. Out of 80 students, she received the Jesse King Art Memorial Award.
She started taking art more seriously after her sophomore year of high school at El Molino High School in Forestville when she applied for a summer position with Artstart. This innovative program paid high school students to paint public art for the city of Santa Rosa.
“My first year with Artstart I painted an aquarium inspired bench that is now in Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. That felt so cool. Here I was 16 years old and I had the experience of doing public art.”
In her senior year, one of her projects in art class was to create and teach an art lesson. Her art teacher and mentor for the project Mary McGowan was instrumental in her success and in helping Felicity identify another aspect of her passion—teaching art.
At her high school graduation, Felicity received one of three art awards and went on to enroll in Humboldt State University. She majored in Art Education with a minor in Communication and recently graduated.
Today her body of work is unified by its exploration of color intensity and different kinds of lines. And she receives inspiration from everything around her including other artists as well as from the constant flow of imagery arising from her thoughts and imagination.
“Kandinsky’s love of color and line has also been a big influence on me,” she said. “I love to play with shapes and complementary colors. I use the basic color wheel hues in most of my work and love the way opposite colors provide contrast and define figures.”
Felicity also loves all mediums and goes through cycles exploring the inherent characteristics in one after another. The one she employs most frequently is acrylic paint and basic graphite, but she has also created sculptures using plaster and concrete and dabbled in mosaic work.
“I really love it all,” she exclaimed enthusiastically. And I’ve developed a style I call "City Funk" which best amplifies my love of color, shapes and lines. I love it because of how vivid and bright the pieces turn out.”
Her art today takes two strong directions, painting abstract nudes and creating functional art. She started painting nude figures in high school when a group of friends and her attended a local figure drawing group. She was drawn to the lines and curves of the female figure and the way they flowed into each other. Then in college she took Life Drawing and again found it soothing and expressive.
Her functional art started when she worked with Artstart. They do a chair auction annually as a fundraiser for the program. The first summer they did chairs and at the closing reception she was approached by a man who told her that his boss was going to outbid him on her chair. He gave Felicity his business card and told her that he wanted a custom chair painted for his wife.
“I was ecstatic,” she said. And my painting furniture just continued from that point on. I like the fact that my furniture art is decorative and useful!”
For the last four years, Felicity has exhibited a painted chair in Artstart's Chair Auction. She has gotten a few commissions from those exhibits and also from contact via myspace and friends and acquaintances.
“I love doing commissioned work the most, because then I know I'm creating something personally for someone the way they want it to be done. That's the most satisfying to me,” she explains.
Her work with Artstart continues and has led her into the administrative side of the art business. She has been assisting the lead artists as well as doing her own projects within the program. Felicity is also working on getting a substitute teaching permit so she can tiptoe into the “waters of teaching.” If she likes it like she expects to, she will apply to Sonoma State University's Credential program to get her teaching credential.
“I want to inspire the next generation through art,” she explains.
And since enthusiasm for the subject matter is critical to all good teaching, Felicity is well on her way to a vibrant and satisfying career in art education.
Interviewing Felicity for this featured artist article I was reminded of what the philosopher Martin Buber once said, “The way will show you the way, and the way is not to withhold oneself.” It would seem then that art has not only shown Felicity the way, step by step, but her willingness to enter it fully, without reservation or hesitation, continues to illuminate the path ahead.
Come join us in celebrating Felicity’s artwork for details check out the future events section. |
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The Genius of the Inner Child Artist is Alive and Well in Michael Borja!
By: Joanne Hobbs
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” Michael Borja has solved that problem by keeping an ear tuned to his inner child. His child like whimsical drawings and freeform painting style reflect the childish abandon that accompanies any activity that one pursues with joy. He has also managed to avoid the self conscious, critical scrutiny that so often accompanies us as we head into adulthood.
His earliest memory of art was a day in kindergarten when his teacher handed the class clipboards, paper and pencils and directed them down the hallway to a large window. Through the window was a single large tree. They stood there for an hour drawing that tree.
It wasn’t until 2004 though that he discovered how much he loved art. He had enrolled at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco because he felt drawn to an art related career. He didn’t know what specifically he wanted to do so as student he experimented with digital media and then went to illustration. It was Fine Art however that sparked his enthusiasm.
“I totally love painting,” he said. “After sorting through a lot of options, I feel like I am finally headed in the right direction and doing what I love.”
He always had the support of his family and friends which he greatly appreciated. And he remembers a high school teacher pulling him aside and advising him to go into art related field-so it was probably that advice that nurtured his inner artist.
“The love and support of those close to me means so much to me and keeps me motivated,” said Borja.
The inspiration for the prolific body of work he has already produced comes from his life experiences, relationships, and emotions.
“I like the psychology of things. And I like transforming my feelings and the feelings of others into something visual,” he shared. “I use acrylic, oil, and even spray paint because each medium has its own secrets.”
Other artists are also a source of inspiration for Borja like the art of Mars-1, Gary Baseman, Luke Cheuh, Maurice Sendak, David Chose, Herbert Baglione, Bruno 9li, and many others.
At his website (http://www.meborja.com) you can see Borja’s love of portraits and surrealistic themes. He also enjoys creating fanciful figures including animals loving and murdering their food.
He calls the series the “Vicious Vegetarians and Ferocious Fruitarians”. His style resembles a coloring book with cartoon characters and very bright colors. But a closer look reveals a dark story in which wild animals have been thrown together in a living
room decorated with cloudy sky wallpaper and grassy-like carpet.
“They think they are outside and free, but they're not, they are just pets obsessing, murdering, and loving their food,” explains Borja.
Borja will graduate from the Academy of Art this June. He has exhibited at the school’s gallery, the Studio Gallery in San Francisco, PURIST BOUTIQUE and at our Heart of Chaos Uproar exhibit last November in San Jose.
Borja also does a lot of commissioned work including portraits, landscapes, abstract paintings, illustrations and even logos.
A Riga’s exhibit he will be showing a new body of work. “The new stuff is similar to the subject and style of the goldfish on the main page of my website but I am keeping it a secret until the show at Riga’s Café,” said Borja. “I haven't showed anyone anything but that zebra on a watermelon. I hope you will all like it! Ha-ha”
You can contact Mike Borja at michael.borja@gmail.com and don’t miss his opening reception on April 5th, see future exhibits for more details.
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Chalk Art and People Paddle for the Planet!
Heart of Chaos has been invited to put on a chalk art event at People Paddle for the Planet under Catalyst for Youth, the non-profit agency that pays our bills. We need 8-10 artists, no chalk experience required, to participate. We will supply the soft pastels. If you are interested please email Jen. The date of the event is Sunday June 15th, 10AM - 1PM at Leo J Ryan park in Foster City.
For more information please visit the People Paddle for the Planet Website at:
http://www.peoplepaddle.com/planet/
Art Auction to Benefit At Risk Youth
Heart of Chaos is teaming up with the Bill Wilson Center and Safe Place Community Outreach to help raise money for an educational scholarship fund for at risk youth.
How it Works
Participation is easy. Each artist is asked submit a piece of artwork, any medium is fine, for auction. The artist will designate a minimum selling price and percentage they wish to donate to the cause.
Requirements
All mediums are accepted, however please keep in mind that buyers will be taking delivery of the artwork at the event so it should be able to fit into the trunk or backseat of a car.
All submissions ready to wall hang. Canvas need not be framed.
How to Submit
Attach a sheet to the back of your submission with your name, phone number, mailing address, email address, minimum selling price and donation percentage.
Contact Nicole Coxe at neeecole@gmail.com or 408.569.5777, she will arrange for drop off of your submission.
Submission Deadline: April 2, 2008
Event Details:
Friday, April 4th 2008
Showtime: 6:30pm-8:30pm
After Show Reception: 8:30pm-9:30pm
The Rotunda at San Jose City Hall
Sell your work at our Art Expo
We will be hosting an Art Expo at Gardner Community Center on July 19th from 11AM-3PM. There will be approximately 30 artists booths available for a cost of $25 per space. To participate as a selling artist you must obtain a seller's permit from the City of San Jose. If you are interested in purchasing booth space please email jen@heartofchaos.net to get put on the exhibitor list. In the meantime, please visit the City of San Jose website to obtain a seller's permit. Booth space will only be sold to artists with a valid seller's permit.
To download the seller's permit applications please visit: http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe400spa.pdf
If you have a seller's permit in another jurisdiction you can register for a temporary sales location using your existing permit. Here is the link to that form:
http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe530b.pdf
If you have questions about the seller's permit please visit http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/phone.htm for contact information.
Would you like to do a solo or duo exhibit? Read on...
Heart of Chaos has been invited to showcase its artists at several local venues including:
Gardner Community Center
Riga's European Bakery and Cafe
South First Billiards
If you have enough work to put on a solo exhibit or wish to do a duo exhibit with a friend please email Jen at jen@heartofchaos.net with the following information.
Location you wish to exhibit at from list above
Your full contact details
Link to your portfolio or 10 web resolution images of your work
(If you wish to put on a duo exhibit, please send the other person's details and portfolio)
Have you registered for the
Heart of Chaos :: Virtual Exhibit yet?
Our online artist community is growing every day. Have you checked it out yet? You can post images, documents, music and movie files for access from our website.
The Heart of Chaos Virtual Exhibit was created to showcase artists and provide a portal for artists to sell their work. Create a FREE profile by visiting http://www.heartofchaos.net/artup.
For details on creating a profile and posting your work, click here.
We will be choosing future featured artists from the Virtual Exhibit to spotlight in upcoming issues of this newsletter, We look forward to seeing your work!
Check out more calls for artists from other organizations on our website!
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New Youth Art Program: Heart of Kids
CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS!
Are you a young artist? Maybe you have a child, grandchild or friend who is a young artist. Heart of Kids is a new youth art organization for young artists between the ages of 4 and 15 years of age. We are calling out to all young artists for participation in our youth art program that will showcase their talents in upcoming community exhibits. All art mediums and skill levels welcomed!
WHAT IS HEART OF KIDS?
Heart of Kids is the school aged chapter of Heart of Chaos, an artisan collective with the financial and inspirational support of Catalyst for Youth, a 501 (c) 3 California Corporation. Heart of Kids was founded by Anthony Mingus a 9-year old boy from Sunnyvale, whose creativity has been fueled by Heart of Chaos artists since 2005. Our mission is to fuel young minds through the encouragement and leadership of emerging and established artists by inspiring our youth to explore their artistic talents and showcase their progression through community exhibits. Thus giving the youth a focus for their attention to keep them creating and out of trouble. As the children grow with Heart of Kids we envision many will want to stay involved in the program and become mentors for younger generations.
COMMUNITY EXHIBITS
Heart of Kids’ will begin by organizing community exhibits for children from 4 –15 to showcase their art at Gardner Community Center in San Jose. Additional venues will be added as the program grows.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
We would love to have you on board! To make sure you receive updates and exhibit notifications, please send your name, child's name(s) and ages along with your email address to jen@heartofchaos.net. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer mention this in your email. In the meantime, be sure to save the artist(s) creations for future exhibits that are coming very soon! |
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Juvenille Hall Art Program
Miguel Machuca, a self taught visual artist and behavior therapist for autistic children begins a rainforest mural in the courtroom lobby atrium. Miguel is also working on a series of murals for the hall that will transform the institutional beige hallways. Miguel is an active member of the Heart of Chaos artisan collective which offers a weekly art program to minors in B9, B8 and G2. HOC offered 48 two hour lessons to minors in 2007.
For more information or to volunteer as a guest artist please visit www.catalystforyouth.org and www.heartofchaos.net.
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We are very excited about the upcoming year and already have a calendar full of events!
Be sure to mark your calendars for all the exciting events we have planned. For updates on future event locations and times please visit our website
or check out our online calendar on myspace.
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April Cont'd |
May |
June |
City Funk: Abstract Paintings by Felicity Hand
Exhibit Dates: April 1-30
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, April 4th
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
Original Paintings by Michael Borja
Exhibit Dates: April 5 - April 28
Gallery Hours:
6am-5pm M-F
7am-3pm Sat-Sun
Artist Reception
Saturday, April 5th
12pm-3pm
Admission is FREE
Riga's European Bakery and Café,
1338 The Alameda, Suite 3, San Jose, CA 95126 |
Dark Matter Art by Curtis Manzano
The Blank Club
44 S. Almaden Avenue
San Jose, CA
9PM
(408) 292-5265
Art Auction and Fashion Show to Benefit At Risk Youth brought to you by Bill Wilson Center and Safe Place Community Outreach
Purchase artwork by local artists and help our youth!
Friday, April 4th 2008
Showtime: 6:30pm-8:30pm
After Show Reception: 8:30pm-9:30pm
The Rotunda at San Jose City Hall
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Solo Exhibit: Ivan Gonzalez
Exhibit Dates: May 1 - 30
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, May 2nd
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
Solo Exhibit: Abbey Shane
Dates TBA
Riga's European Bakery and Café,
1338 The Alameda, Suite 3, San Jose, CA 95126
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Original art by: Aaron Mazikowski and Fernando Amaro Jr.
Exhibit Dates: June 2-30
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, June 6th
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
2nd Annual Chalk Art Festival
June 14th
10AM - 2PM
Come out and join us for the 2nd year of chalk art in San Jose. Fun in the sun for the whole family. Catch the Gardner Flea Market while you are there too!
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
Chalk Art and People Paddle for the Planet!
Heart of Chaos has been invited to put on a chalk art event at People Paddle for the Planet under Catalyst for Youth, the non-profit agency that pays our bills.
June 15th, 10AM - 1PM
Leo J Ryan park in Foster City.
Register to Paddle and help the environment!
For more information please visit the People Paddle for the Planet Website at:
http://www.peoplepaddle.com/planet/
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August |
September |
October |
Art Expo
This will be an opportunity for artists to purchase booth space and sell their work. Please see the Call for Artists section for details.
Come check out the work of local artists and pick up something for yourself!
July 19th
11AM - 3PM
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
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Lara Lenta Solo Exhibit
Exhibit Dates: Aug 1 - 31
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, August 1st
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
2nd Annual Chalk Art Festival
August 30th
Time and Location To Be Announced
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James Persinger Solo Exhibit
Exhibit Dates: Sept 1 - 30
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, Sept 5th
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose |
Suzie Zarate Solo Exhibit
Exhibit Dates: Oct 1 - 31
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, October 3rd
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose |
November |
December |
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UpRoar 2008
South First Billiards
420 South 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Friday, November 7th
9PM til Late
That's right we are causing UpRoar once again for the second year in a row! Call for artists will be released in August. Anything goes, so show us what you got!
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Solo Exhibit: Michael Denning
Exhibit Dates: Dec 1 - 31
Gallery Hours: 9am-7pm M-F
Opening Reception
Friday, December 5th
6pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
Gardner Community Center
520 W. Virginia Street
San Jose
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We always welcome new volunteers and are in need of as much help as we can get! Below are some volunteer opportunities, if you are interested in volunteering with Heart of Chaos, please email Joanne Hobbs.
Teach a Workshop - Juvenile Hall
Special guest watercolor artists from the California Watercolor Society gave
a two hour workshop in the B9 living unit. The minors had fun and created
some wonderful landscapes.
Teacher/Guest Artists
Would you like to teach a workshop at Juvenile Hall? We need two guest artists a month to teach a two hour Wednesday evening session from 6pm to 8pm. Contact Joanne Hobbs for more information.
Heart of Chaos Crew
Help plan, set up and breakdown events. Contact Jen for more information.
Promoter
We need some people who are willing to pass out pre-printed fliers for Heart of Chaos events to local business and/or at local events in the bay area
Graphic Designers and Editors needed for collaboration on
Heart of Chaos Zines
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| In San Jose you can find plenty of art exhibits to fuel your creativity. Here are just a few, local options. If you are an artist and have an upcoming exhibit you would like to include in this section, please send details to Jen at jen@heartofchaos.net. |
The Flying Artistas:
Lacey Bryant and Lara Sophia "Collaborations"
Featuring live painting, music, coffee, food and interactive fun!
Saturday April 5th
Barefoot Coffee Roasters
5237 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara, CA
6pm to 9pm
Black & Brown Vintage Clothing Store
Exhibit featuring Shorty Fatz featuring custom designed lowrider bikes
February 23, 200
1225 W. San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA 95126
More info at: http://www.shortyfatz.com
- the cellar(under agenda) every Friday
show name:TRUTH
399 south first st.
san jose, ca
true hip-hop themed: live painting,break dancing, dj's
free
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South FIRST FRIDAYS
An eclectic evening of Arts & Culture in downtown
San Jose's SoFA district every First Friday of the month
KALEID gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Downtown San Jose
Gallery Hours
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T-F Noon-7pm
Saturday Noon-5pm
works/san josé
451 south 1st street
san josé, california 95113
408.286.6800
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