Hey all, hope you are all enjoying the beginning of summer! We are reving up for lots of events this summer including the Chalk Art Festival, Art Expo, Heart of Kids (young artists) Exhibit and tons of solo and duo exhibits. It is going to be an art filled summer! For details on all of these events check out the future exhibits section. We can always use more hands to help out, if you want to volunteer to help with any of our upcoming events email me at jen@heartofchaos.net.

In addition to all of our upcoming events we will be holding our largest fundraiser of the year at this year's People Paddle for the Planet. We have several artists who will be paddling and need your support in the form of pledges to keep bringing you low cost events and local art. For details on how you can help please check out the volunteer section.

Hope you enjoy this edition of News and Resources for Creatives. Feel free to pass it along to your friends by clicking the forward to a friend link at the bottom of this email!

Sincerely Your Editor,
Jenifer "Jen" Sluga

Q&A with Jaclyn Alderete - Exhibit Opens Saturday June 7th from 12-2PM at Riga's European Bakery and Cafe

Q: How would you characterize your work?

Jaclyn: I am a very emotional and expressive person, and although I find the process of creating art highly therapeutic, I believe its potential is much greater than this. I am often overwhelmed by social concerns, and my discontentment with what I see and read is the driving force behind my art, becoming essentially my desire for progress. I feel that art in all its forms has the potential to be the impetus for social awareness, healing, and change. My life's goal is to use art as not only a creative outlet but as a means of communication, to ignite in others a recognition of the need for togetherness and unity.

Moving away from my home state, New Mexico gave me the ability to appreciate where I came from. My current work is strongly influenced by the Hispanic and Native American culture that surrounded me, as well as by my predominantly matriarchal family. Most of my paintings touch on the characterization of women, and the enigmatic history of my culture.

My challenge is to find a way to use color, content, and composition to clearly express these ideas and beliefs I hold so dear.

Q: What is your favorite medium and why? What is your range of mediums?

Jaclyn: I prefer oils, those being the first paints I ever used. The creamy consistency is unique and the medium can be manipulated in a variety of ways. I'm always learning new things the pigment can do and it continues to challenge me.

Some of my paintings are also done in acrylic. In addition to paints, I have worked with various sculpting materials including plaster, ceramic clay, molding materials, and wood. I love that there are no limitations to the images you can create two-dimensionally, but I find three-dimensional artwork equally satisfying. Working with your hands and body to create a sculpture is very gratifying. I enjoy mixing media and incorporating found objects into my design. For me, there is no clear line separating a painting and a sculpture, so I like to use physical objects in my paintings to further blur that distinction.

Q: Where have you studied art? Where have you exhibited work?

Jaclyn: When I was 17 I had an amazing opportunity to study under professional artists in the city of Albuquerque. I learned a great deal about the art world during this apprenticeship and was not only able to show several paintings in an Albuquerque gallery, but I also took part in a collaborative mural that was displayed in Albuquerque's downtown district.

Last Year, I showed my work in a little venue in Colorado Springs with various artists from New Mexico and Colorado. Recently, I have also had the opportunity to display my paintings in South First Billiards alongside many talented artists from the San Jose area and in De Anza's student art show.

I am currently attending De Anza College with hopes to transfer in the fall. I have taken a wide array of fine arts courses there and have found the professors to be a huge source of encouragement and knowledge.

Q: What is your favorite work? And what is your favorite response from others to your work?

Jaclyn: I don't know that I have a favorite work, each of my sculptures and paintings mean entirely different things to me. I value each life lesson equally. Of course, I feel somewhat successful when someone catches the meaning I was attempting to illustrate, but what I enjoy most is when someone finds something in my work that means something for them personally, something which often wasn't what I was trying to convey. More then anything, I simply hope that viewers will find something in my art worth looking at, or more importantly, worth thinking about. Even if my work is met with displeasure, at least it's not ignored.

Q: Where are you going now? What direction is calling you?

Jaclyn: After I earn my BFA from San Jose State, I may go on to earn my Masters Degree if the timing and funds allow. During that time I will seek to incorporate my training with my humanitarian desires in any way that I can. Whether it is teaching fine arts to at-risk youth, or helping to facilitate art events for the community. The more I experience, the more I see a clear and strong connection between my passion for the arts and my humanitarian desires.

Come join us in celebrating Jaclyn's artwork at her opening reception on June 7th, for details check out the future events section.

Q&A with Aaron Mazikowski- Exhibit Opens Friday June 6th from 6-9 PM at Gardner Community Center

Q: What is your favorite medium and why? What is your range of mediums?

Aaron: I have never experienced anything, but spray paint and acrylics. I have used spray paint more than anything in my life, but within the recent year and a half I have taken up acrylics. I have been told oils are the way to go because of the blending ability. So I think I’ll give them a try sooner or later. As of now it acrylics, but the future might hold something different.

Q: Where have you studied art? Where have you exhibited work?

Aaron: I took my first art class this semester at evergreen valley college. They have a pretty good course and it opened my eyes to different techniques of painting. I was really hoping to take a class in oils. Basically everything I have learned though is self-taught and questions over the phone from friends out of town.

Exhibiting, seriously this is my first time having an art show. I did a little one for school this semester with other students, but this will be my first “real event.” I have been asked to in the past, but I’m very critical of my work and not sure if it’s to my liking yet. This is a huge leap for me.

Q: What is your favorite work? And what is your favorite response from
others to your work?

Aaron: Well my favorite work is portraits with my own little twist to them. I’m still figuring out what I like though. I guess with every painting that I do I find something new. So it’s an evolving process.

My favorite response would be when people are shocked and have the look of a deer in headlights. I haven’t been painting that long and that feeling feeds my hunger for painting. It’s an amazing feeling.

Q: Where are you going now? What direction is calling you?

Aaron: Well, I’m not positive where I stand, but I know I will be doing art for the rest of my life in someway or another. I love to create, and for me it’s what makes life livable at times. It helps me stay sane when things are going wrong. It can make a moment in life last forever. It’s the inner peace that drives me.

Come join us in celebrating Aaron's artwork at his opening reception on June 6th, for details check out the future events section.

Q&A with Fernando Amaro Jr. - Exhibit Opens Friday June 6th from 6-9 PM at Gardner Community Center

Q: How would you characterize your work? (Do you have an artist statement?)

Fernando: I would characterize my work as abstract and limitless without boundaries or certain points of completion that would contain and therefore
diminish it.

Artist Statement: There aren't words to explain exactly how I feel about my art, but consider this: Have you ever wanted something so bad, that you would do whatever it takes to make it happen? I have and still do when it pertains to art. I have been fortunate enough to meet alot of inspiring people not to mention my family and friends who inspire me to do better and step my game up. I have a passion for ART and the process of creating something from nothing. I consider myself an illustration and design specialist although I also venture into fashion design and a variety of other directions that allow me to express myself. I am also a father of (2) of the most beautiful creations in the world. I like to consider myself a positive role model but tend to fall off every once in a while because I'am only human and nobody's perfect. I just recently decided to live my life to the fullest and stay away from negative people and "Do Something" with my life before it's too late. This decision means I am making more decisions to better my life and advance myself and my art
from my own worldview. I tend to stay in motion like a wave on the ocean creating daily and noting the circumstances and events that come to me. Nothing is random so there are many daily indicators to guide me and cause me to reflect on their occurrence in my life. Peace.

Q: What is your favorite medium and why? What is your range of mediums?

Fernando: My favorite medium is spray paint because it comes ready to go, no mixing besides the exchanges of nozzles.
My range of mediums are:
-Spray paint
-acrylic
-pencil
-markers
-water colors
-silk screening
-graphic design
-collage

Q: Where have you studied art?

Fernando: I have studied art at Evergreen Valley College and had hands-on training as an illustrator for www.siliconvalleydebug.com for 7 years.

Q: What is your favorite work?

Fernando: My favorite work is on walls being able to go large scale and not having to use an easel the wall is your canvas ready to be transformed into art

Q: Where are you going now? What direction is calling you?

Fernando: Clothing and accessories is the direction I am focusing on, while still studing and working as an illustrator/ graphic designer

Come join us in celebrating Fernando's artwork at his opening reception on June 6th, for details check out the future events section.

Calling all Artists -Sell your work!
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 download and complete the exhibitor's application.

Calling Young Artists Ages 4-15 for Group Exhibit on August 5, 2008
Are you a young artist?  Maybe you have a child, grandchild or friend who is a young artist.  Heart of Kids, our new youth artisan collective, will put on it's first group exhibit on August 5th at Gardner Community Center during National Night Out.

Entry is FREE! To enter please attach a sheet of paper with the artists name and age, parent/guardian's name, phone number and email address and indicate selling price if for sale.

Drop of matted or framed entries (must be ready to be wall hung, cavases need not be framed) at Gardner Community Center, 520 W. Virginia Street, San Jose, 95125 beginning July 21st through July 25th from 9AM-5PM. Please complete an entry form at Gardner upon submitting.

You can download the official call for artists along with exhibit details here.

Questions? email jen@heartofchaos.net.

Artist Pool for Art + Technology RFQ

The San Jose Public Art Program Request for Qualifications to establish an Artist Pool for Art + Technology is now available. The focus of initial artwork commission will be the San José International Airport's program of short-term changing Art + Technology projects and two permanent sculptures for the arrival/departure hall of the new terminal. As part of the Airport capital improvement program, the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport Public Art Master Plan creates a framework for a unified program of Art + Technology, showcasing the innovation, diversity, and change that defines San José and Silicon Valley. This program will create a major collection of technology-related artworks for the City at the airport. Learn more at http://www.sanjoseculture.org/?pid=4500

Tell the San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs what you think!

Take an important online survey that is being sponsored by the San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs and the Center for Cultural Innovation to assess the status and resource needs of individual artists who either live or work in the San Jose area. The survey is being conducted by Professor Ann Markusen and her team at the University of Minnesota, and the results will be shared at a special convening with artists throughout the region in September 2008.

The Survey can be accessed by going to: http://cciarts.org/cep/index.htm

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!

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
Catalyst for Youth volunteer Terri Travis is a seasoned fashion design instructor who currently works full time in Sacramento at the International Academy of Design and Technology. Every Friday afternoon, however, she comes to juvenile hall and teaches our young women in living unit G2 sewing and fashion design. Using donated fabric, accessories and sewing machines, Terri has shown the minors how to make pillows, purses, tote bags, Xmas stockings, quilt squares, stuffed animals, scented sachets and other projects.

The girls take quickly to machine sewing and are learning the basics of measuring, working with patterns and hand sewing. This two hour weekly class which started last fall, gives the minors an opportunity to translate their individuality via different fabrics and accessories. And they get to take their finished projects with them when they are released.

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

Heart of Chaos Paddles for the Planet

Artists from Heart of Chaos and Heart of Kids, our new young artist collective, will Paddle to raise money for Catalyst for Youth, the non-profit that funds Heart of Chaos, in this year's People Paddle for the Planet. We need your help to continue to bring you great local art and events including this years Chalk Art Festival, Heart of Kids Exhibits and several other exhibits and events we have planned this year.

Every little bit counts so please take a few moments make a pledge of $5, $10, $20 or more. You can pledge online with a credit/debit card or mail a check to Catalyst for Youth at 1724 Alberta Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. Catalyst will make the pledge for you if you mail in a check.

To pledge please visit: http://www.peoplepaddle.com/planet/pledge.htm and select one of our paddlers. Our paddlers are:
Curtis Manzano
Lacey Bryant
Michael Denning
Nicole Desfosses
Anthony Mingus

Get your Heart of Chaos apparel! A $5 donation will be made to Heart of Chaos for every item purchased. There are tons of items to choose from and something for everyone.
Go Shopping!

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 :
T-F Noon-7pm
Saturday Noon-5pm

works/san josé
451 south 1st street
san josé, california 95113
408.286.6800

- 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