•    January’s Featured Workshop: “Adventures in Texture”

WHEN: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 12 noon - 2 pm

WHERE: 451 S. First Street, San Jose, CA

On Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, youth will be able to explore texture through a hands-on art activity from 12 noon to 2 pm. Works/San José is bringing back YFAC—youth and family art connection—in 2009, to give youth and their families another reason to enjoy the arts on the second Saturday of each month. Workshop admission will be free, but donations to the program are gratefully accepted.

“Once you begin hunting for textures, you will never look at anything around you in quite the same way,” says local art teacher and newest Works Board member, Brande Barrett. “This fun family activity is free, where you can make and take your own fine art home with you.”

Thanks to Barrett, Works/San José is able to re-introduce one of the weekend programs preferred among San Jose’s younger artists and art appreciators.

Works/San José is the San José community’s art and performance center—a non-profit creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience. Gallery hours are: Thursdays 3 – 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays noon – 4 pm. For more information or to find out how to volunteer, please visit: www.workssanjose.org.

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Media Contact: Cynthia Thomet, pr@workssanjose.org, (808) 344-0958 cell

About YFAC (youth and family art connection):
yfac fosters appreciation for and understanding of art by giving local children (ages 7 to 14) and their families new and different ways to express themselves through art in a “no-mistakes” environment that supports the application of creative problem-solving and risk-taking beyond the visual arts. Free creative opportunities are provided at Works/ San Jose on the second Saturday of the month.

“Once you begin hunting for textures, you will never look at anything around you in quite the same way,” says Barrett. “This fun, family activity is free where you can make and take your own fine art.”

WHAT: YFAC: “Adventures in Texture!”

WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 12 - 2 pm

WHERE: Works/ San Jose, 451 S. First Street, San Jose, CA

youth and family art connection (yfac) fosters appreciation for — and understanding of — art by giving local children (ages 7 to 14) and their families new and different ways to express themselves in a “no-mistakes” environment that supports the application of creative problem-solving and risk-taking beyond the visual arts. Free creative opportunities are provided at Works/ San Jose on the second Saturday of ever month.

Stay tuned for future YFAC activities!

Works/San Jose Auction 2008

• Auction Sneak Peeks Exhibition: Nov. 20 - Dec. 6
• First Friday Auction Preview: Dec. 5 at 7 pm
• Auction Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, Last preview at 5 pm, Bidding at 7 pm

Works/San José ’s long-awaited auction will take place at on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 451 South First St., San Jose, Calif. Bidding will begin promptly at 7 pm with the final preview at 5 pm.

With more than 100 pieces of art donated by scores of the area’s artists, exhibition of auction pieces will begin on Thursday, Nov. 20. As usual, admission is free, but bidder registration is $10 for Works members and $15 for others. (Proxy bidding will be available.)

“We’re encouraged by such a strong showing,” says Steve Cooley, President of Works’ volunteer board who spent countless hours developing an online database to store and feature auction items at www.workssanjose.org.

Works’ volunteer board members are looking forward to the event, which has historically represented a large part of the organization’s donor revenues. The organization hopes that some of the area’s coveted names will draw higher bids. By the same token, Works is also looking for adventurous art buyers who may end up with a solid investment from the area’s new or up-and-coming artists.

“Works/San José’s art auction has always been the South Bay’s most accessible. With regional artists everyone knows of to several you will be hearing about in the future–it’s definitely the most eclectic, and where the greatest deals are found. Some of the bidding will start in the two digits!” says long-time Works designer and current board member, Joe Miller.

Works/San José, which has in years past been the debut gallery for many Bay Area artists, is counting on members of the community to consider this fact when they appear at the auction.

“This holiday season, I hope people will remember that they’re not just buying art from a local artist, they are buying into a philanthropic share of the San Jose arts community. Over its 30 year history, Works/San José has not only helped define the arts in this community, but it has also helped artists challenge that definition and remain at the creative cutting edge,” continues Cooley.

Works/San José is the San José community’s art and performance center-a non-profit creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience.

Gallery hours are: Thursdays 3 - 7 pm, Fridays noon - 4 pm, and Saturdays noon - 4 pm. For more information or to find out how to volunteer, please visit: www.workssanjose.org.

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Media Contact: Cynthia Thomet, pr@workssanjose.org, (808) 344-0958 cell

Works/San Jose, 451 S. First St.

New Exhibition Launches on First Friday, October 3 at 7 pm!

In its new exhibition entitled “Students/Teachers; Hopes/Fears,” Works/San Jose will showcase the talents of local Intermediate and High School students beginning First Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7 pm at 451 S. First St., San Jose, Calif. Works will hold a reception for the artists and their teachers on opening night.

“Students/Teachers; Hopes/Fears”

The installation explores hope and fear through the artistic lens of today’s and tomorrow’s artists expressing their views through a variety of media.

Conceived and coordinated by local art teacher Brande Barrett, the exhibition intends to provide a window to the depth of insight held by youth often marginalized in their schools and communities.

“With high-stakes testing and tight budgets, arts classes are the first to go, yet studies have shown time and again how the arts enhance children’s learning,” says Barrett.

Fanny Retsek

“Casualty”

Works’ artist in residence, Fanny Retsek continues to work on her “printstallation” available for public viewing anytime on the Market Street-side window of the Works’ gallery location at 451 S. First Street, San Jose.

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About Works/San Jose

Works/San Jose is Silicon Valley’s community art and performance center—a non-profit creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience. To become a member or for more information, please visit: www.workssanjose.org.

Media Contact: Cynthia Thomet, (808) 344-0958, pr@workssanjose.org

WHO:

• You Can Do It, Old Boy! (Livermore), formerly called the “Altamont Union”.
• The Albert Square (San Jose)
• Phantom Float (San Francisco)
• Pteradon, (San Jose) formerly known as “November Trials” is currently signed on to Campbell record label Asian Man Records.

WHERE: 451 S. First Street, San Jose, CA (just in case you missed it the first time around!)

SHOW DATE & TIME: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm

(Oh, and you’ve probably noticed the flyers inaccurately call us “[CENSORED]“. We considered extreme measures for this flagrant act of careless creativity, but remembered that art only comes to those who “do”. Based on that rationale, the artists among us at Works/San Jose realized that “extreme measures” was likely a huge “don’t” and figured we’d simply ask promoters, performers and supporters to remember that their patronage at 451 S. First Street on Sat. Sept. 20 shows support for “Works/San Jose”.)

See you this weekend!

Support your community artists tonight, First Friday, September 5, 2008 at:

Works/San Jose - 451 South First Street, 7 pm - ?

Studio 47 - 47 E. William Street, 7 pm - ?

San Jose, August 28, 2008 - Works/San Jose will showcase the talents of two local artists on First Friday, September 5, 2008, from 7 - 9 pm along with its ongoing member exhibition “works re:group” at 451 S. First Street, San Jose, Calif. Visit Works to:

• witness Printmaker Fanny Retsek,

• check out Musician Benjamin Brackett in action, and

• view the “works re:group” exhibition

All at this September’s First Friday event!

“Keep This Slip for Reference”

Printmaker Fanny Retsek will be Works’ “Artist in Residence” this fall, and inaugurating her residency with “Keep This Slip for Reference” an on-site print production art give-away on Friday, Sept. 5.

During the course of her residency, Retsek will work on an on-going “printstallation” entitled “Casualty,” which will show in the Market Street-side window of Works’ gallery location.

Currently, the Print Center Director and Master Printer at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, Retsek works in all forms of print as well as drawing. Retsek’s work responds to the political issues spawned by our global consumer economy.

You can bet on this Brackett

Recording artist, musician and vocalist Benjamin Brackett will be performing a set at Works on Fri. Sept. 5 during its First Friday show. His latest album is entitled “Hear Ye, Hear Ye” (2007), which is available at record stores and also through his MySpace page.

Originally from Santa Cruz, Brackett once escaped Silicon Valley as (in his words) “computers and capitalists worked together to do away with every ranch and orchard left untouched by city boys and real estate developers.” He eventually wound his way back to the area through a cross country trip that also landed him in New Orleans and Nashville.

“works re:group”

Works’ current members’ exhibition, “works re:group,” showcases the art of more than 100 artists, which will continue to be on display through Saturday, Sept. 13. The unjuried format of the members’ exhibition has provided many aspiring community members their artistic debut setting Works/San Jose apart from art organizations in the area.

“works re:group,” launched on Aug. 1-a First Friday event that drew more than 800 visitors to the gallery than night, and opened Works’ doors to the community for the first time in 2008 at its 451 S. First Street location.

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Media Contact: Cynthia Thomet, pr@workssanjose.org, (808) 344-0958

About Works/San Jose

Works/San Jose is Silicon Valley’s community art and performance center-a non-profit creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience. To become a member or for more information, please visit: www.workssanjose.org.

San Jose, Calif., July 14-Works/San José (Works) is regrouping and reopening at 451 South First Street, San Jose, Calif., with a relaunch of its annual members’ exhibition on Fri., Aug. 1, 2008 at 7 pm till late. The exhibition will last six weeks, extending through Sat., Sept. 13.

Works announced the “works re: group” exhibition this week, calling for members to refresh their memberships, participate in the exhibition with one “ready-to-hang” piece of art, and support gallery initiatives with membership and volunteerism.

The “works re: group” event on Fri., Aug. 1, will include a gala reception and showcase the core of the nonprofit organization’s mission: to be a creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience. The community-based art organization moved to 451 S. First Street in early 2007-a move that came with unexpected real estate, regulatory and financial demands that prevented the organization from extending its mission to the community.

“We’re past the major hurdles that have been weighing the organization down, and now is a great time for the community to get involved,” says Steve Cooley, president of Works’ board. “Works is what you put into it. We hope people will renew their memberships and show a piece of art in our members’ exhibit.”

One such way includes a call to build support through membership with basic rates reduced to $25/ year. Works is also extending a call to volunteers, whose help is needed for the installation and also to gallery sit during the exhibition hours from August 1 through September 13. Interested volunteers are urged to email gallery@workssanjose.org to learn more.

“While a handful of people give very generously of their creativity and time, and overall individual donations are up-we’d also like to see a boost of monetary support,” continues Cooley.

The unjuried format of the annual members’ exhibition has provided many aspiring community members their artistic debut setting Works/San Jose apart from art organizations in the area.

For the installation beginning Aug. 1, members of Works are invited to place one work of art into the exhibition. Each single piece must be ready to hang (framed/mounted with all hanging hardware). Space is limited for this popular exhibition, and artwork requirements for exhibition are available at www.workssanjose.org.

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About Works/San Jose

Works/San Jose is Silicon Valley’s community art and performance center-a non-profit creative laboratory dedicated to providing an environment where artists, audience, and ideas interact to expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience. To become a member or for more information, please visit: www.workssanjose.org.

works’ art submission specs

Each member of Works is invited to place one work of art into the exhibition, as space is limited for this popular exhibition. Each single piece must be ready to hang (framed/mounted with all hanging hardware).

• Wall pieces must be limited to 24 inches in width by 24 inches in height;
• Sculptural pieces must be limited to 24 inches in width and depth. Please include instructions for pedestals, suspensions, or any other special display requests.
• Performance artists, who would like to present a work during the reception, are asked to email Works (at gallery@workssanjose.org) by 4pm on July 26 to reserve space.

Works also requests a resume and artist statement to accompany submitted artwork. Exhibition entry form and exhibition agreement can be completed when you deliver your work or can be downloaded at www.workssanjose.org.

All work must be hand-delivered to 451 South 1st Street on Thursday, July 24, 6 - 8 pm, or Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26, noon to 4 pm. (No artwork can be accepted after 4 pm, July 26.)

At the end of the exhibition, pieces will be available for pick-up on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 - 14, from 4 - 6 pm.

Media Contact: Cynthia Thomet, (808) 344-0958, pr@workssanjose.org

San Jose, November 30, 2007 — Works/San Jose is pleased to announce - California to Bangkok and Back, its next exhibition, opening December 4th, 2007, and on view through January 19th, 2008 at 451 South First Street, San Jose, Calif.

In August 2007, a three-week residency and workshop hosted by Silpakorn University in Bangkok Thailand, included three San Jose State University faculty artists who were invited to participate as part of a larger group of artists from several California Universities. The artists worked in Bangkok, alongside faculty artists from Thailand in the production of a major exhibition which opened in September 2007 at the Art Centre at Silpakorn University.

This exhibition at Works/San Jose represents the California portion of the ongoing exchange of Thai and California artists which was begun a number of years ago by art faculty from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly.) It includes work from all of the artists who have participated in the latest exchanges. Four of these Thai artists have just recently completed residencies at San Jose State and at Cal Poly.

Artists included are:
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
-Sky Bergman
-Tera Galanti
-George Jercich
-Michael Barton Miller

Cuesta College
-Tim Anderson

Loyola Marymount University
-Maggie Tennesen

Mahasarakham University
-Sakchai Uthitoe

San Jose State University
-Erin Goodwin-Guerrero
-Tony May
-David Middlebrook

Silpakorn University
-Pairoj Chamunee
-Thavorn Ko-Udomvit
-Vichoke Mukdamanee
-Sitthichai Pratchayaratikun
-Surasak Rodproabun
-Sone Simatrang
-Thongchai Srisukprasert
-Kamol Tassananchalee

Thaksin University
-Montri Sungmusikganon

Working in a wide variety of media, the artists have created an exhibit based on artistic and cultural exchange and addressing the theme of “world environment” as uniquely interpreted through the distinct minds and media of each of the nineteen artists. Works/San Jose is honored to be hosting the “exclusive, North American premiere” and engagement.

A Curatorial talk with Professors May, Middlebrook, and Goodwin-Guerrero will take place December 13th, 7:00pm at the Works/San Jose gallery located at 451 South First Street in San Jose. This discussion about the artists’ work and experiences in Thailand during the exchange is free and open to the public.
Exhibit Preview: Dec 6th, 2007 – 6:30pm, Works/San Jose
Public Reception: Dec 7th, 2007 – 7:00pm, Works/San Jose

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Susan Shoffstall
Works/San José
P: (408) 394-3347
susanshoffstall@yahoo.com

About Works/San José:
Works/San José is “the” place for the south bay community to experiment, exhibit, and engage. founded in 1977 by local artists, works “success is in the process” philosophy and unique range of opportunities allow artists, curators, and the community to take creative risks. works is an alternative non-profit art and performance center dedicated to providing a venue for artists, ideas, and images that expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience and challenge the boundaries of contemporary art.

works/san josé
451 south 1st street • san josé, california 95113• 408.286.6800
hours: t,w,f,sat 12pm - 4pm and th 12pm - 7pm
Copyright © 2003/2007 works/san josé. All rights reserved.