Content Magazine

Danilo Parra’s first solo painting show, “In Limbo," at Empire Seven Studios. @danilorparra
We at @contentmag caught up with Danilo during the exhibition installation. Stay tuned for his blog, which will be available on our website next week

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San Jose native, an award-winning Chilean-American Film Director based in New York. @danilorparra Parra will be debuting his first solo art exhibition at @empire7studios.

“My first solo painting show is with my favorite gallery @empire7studios in my hometown of San Jose, CA. It’s a gallery that I grew up going to and where my friends and brother played shows. Come thru!” -Danilo Parra

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Learn more about Danilo
danilop.com

Empire Seven Studios

525 N7th St. Suite 10. San Jose, CA 95112

Featured Artist: Kija Lucas.

Full podcast at https://bit.ly/kijalucas24

Kija Lucas’ “The Enchanted Garden” installation is featured in “GROW!” an exhibition opening on September 21 at Palo Alto Art Center.

Artist Kija Lucas’ work explores ideas of home, heritage, and inheritance. In this podcast, she discusses “The Enchanted Garden,” a Palo Alto Art Center installation.

Her Palo Alto Art Center installation is named after her father’s gardening business. It features a 20x13 ft mural with layers of trees and botanicals, an alcove featuring lemons in various stages of ripeness and ornately framed rusty tools, and a wallpaper-wrapped gallery that represents Lawrence Lane, her childhood Palo Alto cul-de-sac, which was also part of a historically racially integrated neighborhood.

Lucas explores themes of identity, belonging, and human’s propensity toward categorization through non-human imagery, highlighting the impact of colonialism and migration. She aims to draw viewers in with visuals that can lead to deeper conversations about nature and society.

Also, save the date for a conversation featuring Kija that spans the panelists’ research interests and personal ties to plants and designed, racially integrated neighborhoods in Palo Alto and elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area hosted by KQED’s Alexis Madrigal.

This group exhibition, guest curated by Marianne K. McGrath (Last featured on episode 48 of the Content Magazine podcast), explores the gardens from our memories and the green spaces we share to the gardens that grow us towards a better future. The exhibition features works from twenty-one artists in diverse mediums to consider history and memory, sustainability, labor equity, and climate change, as well as our unique connections with the natural world, well-being, and pleasure.

Opening: GROW, Friday Night, September 20, 6p - 8p

Panel Discussion: Sunday, November 10, 2p -3:30p

Workshop: Sunday, December 8. 2p -3:30p

Full interview and audio at ⁠https://bit.ly/kijalucas24

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Learn more about Kija

kijalucas.com

Episode #122 Imara Osorno

"Un Puente Sobre El Río San Juan: A Story of Borders"

Join Imara at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) on Friday, September 6, for the opening of her duo exhibition “Un Puente Sobre El Río San Juan: A Story of Borders,” Featuring work from her and San José-based artist Irene Carvajal—part of South First Fridays ArtWalk SJ.
Imara Osorno is a Nicaraguan-American multidisciplinary artist who paints, draws, and sculpts. She began her artistic studies at San Jose State University, where she delved into various materials, including clay, glassblowing, and metalsmithing.
Her upcoming exhibition, “Un Puente Sobre El Río San Juan: A Story of Borders,” explores the complex and often contentious relationship between the neighboring Nicaragua and Costa Rica. A collaborative effort with her former art professor, Irene Carvajal, each uses their cultural origins to untangle the overlooked conflict. Osorno was born in Nicaragua and Irene Carvajal was born in Costa Rica. The show’s title, “un Puente Sobre El Rio San Juan,” or “A Bridge Over the San Juan River,” symbolizes bridging divides between the countries—both literal and metaphorical. It will feature a blend of painting, printmaking, and performance art, offering a multi-dimensional exploration of what bonds, rather than separate, artists born in each country.
In this conversation, we discuss Imara’s artistic interests, her upcoming exhibition, and the personal experiences that inform her work.
Follow Imara on Instagram @imara.art
Follow MACLA on Instagram @macla_sanjose and subscribe to their newsletter at maclaarte.org

Join us on Thursday, August 22, for Pick-Up Party 16.4, “Profiles,” at The School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza. This magazine’s in-real-life experience celebrates the creatives featured in the issue and 2024 Content Emerging Artists Elba Raquel and Esther Young.

In this conversation, Daniel Garcia and David Valdespino Jr., the Cultivator and Developer of Content Magazine, trace back to the creation of this issue through Pick-up Party 16.4 at the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza. They spend time laying out who will be featured at the event, sharing some of their favorite stories and insights on select articles, and giving a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the production of this print publication. Thank you to our wonderful contributors. This magazine is only possible with your words, photos, and keen editing eye.

Thank you to our event partners: the School of Arts and Culture, Sushi Roku Palo Alto, Goodtime Bar, Filco Events, Works/San José, and Heritage Bank of Commerce. Follow Content Magazine on Instagram @contentmag and visit their website at content-magazine.com.

Issue 16.4 Featuring: Hip-Hop artist/DJ - ‘Hen Boogie’ Henry Alexander III | Interdisciplinary artist and Poet - Rosanna Alvarez | Liminal Space Collective - Weston Mossman, Wendy Frances, Taylor Royan | Graphic Designer - Stay Brown - Theodore Mendoza | Mexican Heritage Plaza Expansion | Middlebrook Center: California Native Garden Foundation - Alrie Middlebrook | Sculptor - Stephanie Metz | Jubo Clothing - Jason Nemedez, Averill, & Brian Nemedez | House of Inanna ATS Belly Dance Classes - Petra Pino | Painter and 2024 Content Emerging Artist - Elba Raquel Martinez | Math Rock Band - Ripplings - Anna Macan, Sean Bautista, and Jeremiah Ruperto | San Jose State University Photo 125 - Aahliya Mcelroy, Eric Luu, Jesus Sanchez, Josefina Valenzuela, Regina Joseph, & Stevie Salcido | Hair Stylist - Skittzz | Muralist - Alyssa W. | Singer/songwriter and 2024 Content Emerging Artist - Esther Young

Featured: Issue 16.4, “Profiles,” Featured: Issue 16.4, “Profiles,” Elba Raquel - Painter and Muralist and 2024 Content Emerging Artist Awardee

Each year, SVCreates recognizes the region’s finest early-career artists through the Content Emerging Artist Award. These artists are committed to developing their art forms and enriching the greater Santa Clara County region with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and service.

Featured in upcoming Issue 16.4, “Perform,” Painter and Muralist, Elba Raquel is one of two 2024 Content Emerging Artists, receiving $5,000 to continue the development of their art form in addition to being recognized for their unique artistic vibrancy.

“Growing up, Elba Raquel was a daydreamer. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would reply with professions such as detective, writer, or world traveler. She shares, “I have a restless mind and a zest for life. My parents were protective of us growing up, but I always wanted to live a more exciting life.” As far back as she can remember, she loved drawing. When preparing for college, she knew “it was either going to be writing or art. I chose art because it was the only thing that fulfilled me 100 percent.” Through art, she could investigate the subjects she painted, travel to a world of her own creation, and tell stories through her imagery.”

The 2024 SVCreates Content Emerging Artist Awardees will be celebrated at Pick-Up Party 16.4 on Thursday, August 22.

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

6:30p - 9:30p, Thursday, August 22

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116

RSVP:

https://bit.ly/pup164profiles

Order here:

https://bit.ly/profiles164

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

THANK YOU, Partners

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

Heritage Bank of Commerce

Works/San José

Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Goodtime Bar SJ

Filco Events

Mama Rocs Kitchen

Issue 16.4 Featuring:

Hip-Hop artist/DJ - ‘Hen Boogie’ Henry Alexander III | Interdisciplinary artist and Poet - Rosanna Alvarez | Liminal Space Collective - Weston Mossman, Wendy Frances, Taylor Royan | Graphic Designer - Stay Brown - Theodore Mendoza | Mexican Heritage Plaza Expansion | Middlebrook Center: California Native Garden Foundation - Alrie Middlebrook | Sculptor - Stephanie Metz | Jubo Clothing - Jason, Averill, & Brian Nemedez | House of Inanna ATS Belly Dance Classes - Petra Pino | Painter - Elba Raquel Martinez | Math Rock Band - Ripplings - Anna Macan, Sean Bautista, and Jeremiah Ruperto | San Jose State University Photo 125 - Aahliya Mcelroy, Eric Luu, Jesus Sanchez, Josefina Valenzuela, Regina Joseph, & Stevie Salcido | Hair Stylist - Skittzz | Muralist - Alyssa W. | Singer/songwriter - Esther Young

Published by SVCREATES

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Written by David E. Valdespino Jr. 

Photo by Daniel Garcia

Tommy Aguilar founded Universal Grammar as a collective of like-minded individuals interested in producing events that could shape culture through music, art, and community curating. Tommy prefers the title of ‘producer’ rather than ‘music promoter’ to describe his work. He treats event production as an art form. He shares, “Everything that Universal Grammar has done since day one has been very intentional. It was born out of what I saw in San Jose and not seeing a space for myself.”

In this conversation, Tommy Aguilar discusses the very early days of his interest in music and event production, the nuanced arena of producing music events in the South Bay, what events he has coming up, and the future of Universal Grammar.

Join Tommy and @ungramr at SJZ Break Room on August 21, 2024, at The Changing Same, featuring live performances by @madmcferrin and @milan.ring, backed up by @ungramr Djs @thereal_chalebrown and @intentionalz.

All ages.

Doors at 7p.

Showtime at 8p.

Get Tickets:⁠https://bit.ly/August2024MadisonMcfferin⁠

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Previously featured in:

Issue 8.1 (2016) https://bit.ly/81thechangingsame

Issue 5.0 (2013) https://bit.ly/50tommyaguilar 

Featured: Issue 16.4, “Profiles,” Liminal Space Collective.

Weston Mossman, Wendy Frances, and Taylor Royan

At an artist lead meetup on a Santa Cruz beach in late 2020 a small group of local creatives were gathering for the first time… Weston Mossman was there and the creativity and connection within the group sparked him. “I knew this idea could be expanded on,” says Weston. A few months later Liminal Space Collective was born.

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

6:30p - 9:30p, Thursday, August 22

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116

RSVP:

https://bit.ly/pup164profiles

Order here:

https://bit.ly/profiles164

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

THANK YOU, Partners

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

Heritage Bank of Commerce

Works/San José

Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Goodtime Bar SJ

Filco Events

Mama Rocs Kitchen

Issue 16.4 Featuring:

Hip-Hop artist/DJ - ‘Hen Boogie’ Henry Alexander III | Interdisciplinary artist and Poet - Rosanna Alvarez | Liminal Space Collective - Weston Mossman, Wendy Frances, Taylor Royan | Graphic Designer - Stay Brown - Theodore Mendoza | Mexican Heritage Plaza Expansion | Middlebrook Center: California Native Garden Foundation - Alrie Middlebrook | Sculptor - Stephanie Metz | Jubo Clothing - Jason, Averill, & Brian Nemedez | House of Inanna ATS Belly Dance Classes - Petra Pino | Painter - Elba Raquel Martinez | Math Rock Band - Ripplings - Anna Macan, Sean Bautista, and Jeremiah Ruperto | San Jose State University Photo 125 - Aahliya Mcelroy, Eric Luu, Jesus Sanchez, Josefina Valenzuela, Regina Joseph, & Stevie Salcido | Hair Stylist - Skittzz | Muralist - Alyssa W. | Singer/songwriter - Esther Young

Published by SVCREATES

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Written by Bree Karpavage

Photo and video by Jason Leung

Featured: Issue 16.4, “Profiles,” Featured: Issue 16.4, “Profiles,” Esther Young - Singer/Songwriter and 2024 Content Emerging Artist Awardee

Each year, SVCreates recognizes the region’s finest early-career artists through the Content Emerging Artist Award. These artists are committed to developing their art forms and enriching the greater Santa Clara County region with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and service.

Featured in upcoming Issue 16.4, “Perform,” Singer/Songwriter, Esther Young is one of two 2024 Content Emerging Artists, receiving $5,000 to continue the development of their art form in addition to being recognized for their unique artistic vibrancy.

“When Esther Young sits down to write music, she processes the outside world by looking inward—a fragment of a memory, a dusting of spirituality, the electrochemical processor that analyzes those inputs. The intuitive nature of her work is reflected in lyrics and stories that sometimes even she can only decode once she steps away from the source. The product is what she calls “ethereal indie folk.”

The 2024 SVCreates Content Emerging Artist Awardees will be celebrated at Pick-Up Party 16.4 on Thursday, August 22.

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

6:30p - 9:30p, Thursday, August 22

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116

RSVP:

https://bit.ly/pup164profiles

Order here:

https://bit.ly/profiles164

Save the Date:

Content Magazine Pick-Up Party 16.4 “Profiles”

THANK YOU, Partners

School of Arts and Culture at MHP

Heritage Bank of Commerce

Works/San José

Sushi Roku Palo Alto

Goodtime Bar SJ

Filco Events

Mama Rocs Kitchen

Issue 16.4 Featuring:

Hip-Hop artist/DJ - ‘Hen Boogie’ Henry Alexander III | Interdisciplinary artist and Poet - Rosanna Alvarez | Liminal Space Collective - Weston Mossman, Wendy Frances, Taylor Royan | Graphic Designer - Stay Brown - Theodore Mendoza | Mexican Heritage Plaza Expansion | Middlebrook Center: California Native Garden Foundation - Alrie Middlebrook | Sculptor - Stephanie Metz | Jubo Clothing - Jason, Averill, & Brian Nemedez | House of Inanna ATS Belly Dance Classes - Petra Pino | Painter - Elba Raquel Martinez | Math Rock Band - Ripplings - Anna Macan, Sean Bautista, and Jeremiah Ruperto | San Jose State University Photo 125 - Aahliya Mcelroy, Eric Luu, Jesus Sanchez, Josefina Valenzuela, Regina Joseph, & Stevie Salcido | Hair Stylist - Skittzz | Muralist - Alyssa W. | Singer/songwriter - Esther Young

Published by SVCREATES

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Written by David E. Valdespino Jr. 

Photo by Daniel Garcia

Episode #119 - Jorge "J.Duh" Camacho - "Starting Fires"

Catch J.Duh’s solo exhibition, "Starting Fires," from August 10 to September 7 at Empire Seven Studios in San Jose, Japan Town. Don’t miss the opening reception on August 10 from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring live music by Flipside Lovers and DJ nic0tine.

Discover how J.Duh’s journey from the Academy at GS&P in San Francisco shaped his artistic vision and problem-solving skills. He dives into balancing creative freedom with commercial demands and shares insights from his influences.

In this conversation, J.Duh shares the inspiration for his upcoming solo exhibition ‘Starting Fires,’ his views on the intersection of art and advertising, and how those two worlds have come in contact throughout his career to shape his views of the broader creative landscape of the South Bay.

Follow Jorge on Instagram @j.duh and visit jduhdesigns.com for more.

Also, check out Empire Seven Studios @empiresevenstudios.

Last featured in: 

https://www.content-magazine.com/articles/podcast-jorge-camacho/

https://www.content-magazine.com/articles/10-0-jduh/

Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ) - Ben Leech

This feature is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.
The Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ) is a dedicated historic preservation advocacy organization committed to celebrating the vibrancy of San Jose’s architectural and cultural heritage. As a member-based group, PAC*SJ works to ensure that historic buildings and sites are recognized for their significance and potential. Their mission is to highlight the value of preserving these structures, not just for their historical importance but for their role in enhancing the city’s character. By advocating for thoughtful preservation and adaptive reuse, PAC*SJ aims to integrate the past into the future of San Jose.
Ben Leech’s career in historic preservation stems from a long-held interest in history and architecture. With over 12 years of experience in historic preservation and architectural history, he has made significant contributions through advocacy, historical documentation, and preservation. A Reed College graduate with a Master’s from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Ben has authored numerous historical reports and led preservation efforts in Philadelphia, PA, before moving to Silicon Valley, where he now works and resides.
Join PAC*SJ at Creekside Socials on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for an Urban Sketchwalk hosted by Suhita Shirodkar, last featured in Content Magazine issue 6.2, “Device” and 15.4, “Profiles.”RSVP HERE.
Follow PAC*SJ and Creekside Socials at @pac.sj and @creeksidesocials
Videography by Jezrael Gandara, @jezgand - Featured in issue 14.3, “Perform” as 2022 Content Emerging Artist.