Content Magazine

Episode #99 - Athenna Crosby, TV Host/Journalist, Actress, and Model

Athenna Crosby devotes her time to inspiring young women and positively impacting the world through modeling, acting, and entertainment journalism. Her San Jose roots keep her grounded in her mission. She recalls, “[San Jose] is just a bunch of hard-working people who go to their nine to five and put food on the table for their families.”Pageantry called to Crosby after she discovered the significance of pageant competitions in her mother’s native Venezuelan culture. Venezuelan women often utilize pageants to guide their families out of poverty. Crosby began participating in pageants at 14 and later won Miss California Teen, Miss Teen San Jose, and Miss Congeniality. Her experience in pageantry enabled her to create long-lasting friendships and connections.

Currently, Crosby is the spokesperson for San Jose’s Cinequest Film Festival. Her initial encounter with Cinequest was through a summer camp in high school hosted by the company, which resulted in one of her proudest successes. As Cinequest spokesperson, she spreads the word about the festival and the importance of film.Get your tickets and passes on cinequest.org and enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment at Cinequest’s summertime film festival.

@athennacrosby

TV Host/Journalist @hotinhollywoodtv @cinequestorg @heartstringsstories

Actress @kitinternationaltalent

Model @therossagencyincHappening

Featured: Issue 15.3, Onna Keller, @onna.keller

Onna Keller moved to California from Thailand after finishing her PhD in demography from Chulalongkorn University. In fall of 2020, she enrolled in landscape architecture courses at West Valley College.

Onna has taken classes in other fields also and continues to do so, since she believes that inspiring ideas are all around us. She will be graduating this spring and plans to apply for internships and a master of architecture program. 

Join us TONIGHT at West Valley College for a pick-up party 15.3 and The Cilker School of Art & Design’s annual graduation EXPO.https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 (Link in Bio)

Thank you, Partners!@westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad @filcoevents @ShakaBrewing @Bar.goodtime

 ________________

Photography by Daniel Garcia, @thecultivator

Featured: Issue 15.3, Iris Zimmerman, @zimmersnapsIris

Zimmerman has always been drawn to the creative and is a returning student working on her psychology and studio arts degree. She hopes to pair her portraits with her psychology background to teach people how vital it is to love themselves and how challenging it can be.

Join us May 19th, at West Valley College for pick-up party 15.3 and The Cilker School of Art & Design’s annual graduation EXPO.

Featured: Issue 15.3, Rubén Darío Villa / Mr. Fúchila, @mr.fuchila

Artist Rubén Darío Villa can see his hometown of Gilroy clear as day. Through his art, he speaks of his culture, his home, and the history he lives with. His art tells the story of growing up in the Bay Area as a first-generation Chicano.

Fúchila, slang for “smelly” in Spanish, takes the novelty car air freshener and instills it with a collective history, the nostalgia found in the Latinx community. Villa opened shop on Fúchila Fresheners in 2015 with six original designs: Frida Kahlo, Pancho Villa, Blue Demon, Cantinflas, Selena Quintanilla, and a sugar skull. Villa named this pool of inspiration “Chicanostalgia,” the experience of Western pop culture as lived by the Chicano community. 

Join Content & Mr. Fúchila Friday, May 19th, at West Valley College for pick-up party 15.3 and The Cilker School of Art & Design’s annual graduation EXPO. Mr. Fúchila will be popping up to sell new work along with other featured artists displaying theirs. 

The evening will feature an exposition showcasing the work of students graduating in art, architecture, design, and performing arts, including the Cilker Art & Design annual fashion show and work from other local artists featured in issue 15.3https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 (Link in Bio)

Featured: Issue 15.3, Nyr Acuavera -Fashion Design

Nyr Acuavera, born on April 17, 2002, is a Filipino fashion student at West Valley College. Immigrating to the United States at a young age, Acuavera experienced social isolation from his peers as a result of his personal identity. To flee from the troubles of reality, he turned to escapism in the form of clothing, a theme woven into the breadth of his work.

“I’ve found catharsis in using fashion as my armor,” Nyr states, “impenetrable by judgment nor changed by others. It’s the truest form of my inner self.” His work contains a large scope of references, ranging from Ancient Roman literature to early 2010s internet culture. Still early in his career, Nyr Acuavera will be part of West Valley’s Graduating Class of 2023, aiming to transfer into a menswear design program. He hopes to open a menswear label one day, showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage.

Featured: Issue 15.3, Davied Morales, @activepoet

#96 - Jonathan Gomez, Cofounder of Asiel Design and the Midtown Immersive Night Parties

Owners of Asiel Design, Jonathan Gomez and Linnae Asiel, have gone through many iterative seasons over the past two decades. Founded in 2003 as a floral design business, the company developed to include event design with intricately themed experiences. Their recent endeavor to renovate the James Grain Warehouse in Midtown San Jose, originally home to a mid-century grain wholesaler, provides a vessel for uplifting, connecting, and serving the community.

Initially used to store their antique event rentals, Jonathan and Linnae converted the warehouse into an event space during Covid lockdowns. Jonathan shares, “If we were going to have a warehouse just storing stuff and not serving the community, we would not be around forever. But if we could transition into a place that brought artists together and created a place for connection, I believed we could be a service to the city and the community.” That vision of serving others and fostering connection is tied deeply to the faith and spirituality that guides Asiel Design. Jonathan describes that guidance as a ‘heavenly blueprint’ that allows the business to stay nimble and ultimately leads to their upcoming event series, Midtown Immersive, from April 28th through June 16th on eight consecutive Fridays from 5-9 pm at the James Grain Warehouse.

In our conversation, Jonathan details the evolution of Asiel Design, the importance of spirituality and faith in his work, the rippling effects of Covid 19, and an invitation to Midtown Immersive.Visit James Grain Warehouse any Friday from April 28th to June 16th and experience Midtown Immersive. The series will celebrate the historic location, close the street to cars, and feature artists, vendors, food, drinks, and music.

The James Grain Warehouse for their MIDTOWN IMMERSIVE ART PARTY happening for eight consecutive weeks.

The event series brings the community together to eat, drink, dance, shop & hang out with local artists.San Jose's art scene will be on full display.

Brought to you by the James Grain Warehouse Event Productions.

Featuring:

San Jose Made

Moveable Feast

Black & Brown Vintage Clothing

Gypsy Soul

Location: 245 McEvoy St. SJ CA 95126

Time: 5-9

Dates: April 28th - June 16th every FRIDAY

Pets: Welcome

Smoking: Yes

Family Friendly

Daniel Garcia is the founder, Cultivator, and creative visionary behind Content Magazine, a photographer, and San Jose Native, who has an upcoming photo exhibition at Art Ark Gallery, opening on May 5th, 2023. This exhibition will be his first solo show and display a body of work documenting 30+ years of photography.

Garcia’s interest in photography began while taking yearbook photos in Silver Creek High School. It led him to study the art form at the Academy of Art University before dropping out and becoming a freelance photographer shooting model portfolios. His flexible freelance schedule allowed Daniel to shoot street photography around San Jose and San Francisco, refining his craft, experimenting with format, and documenting a range of subjects. The energy Daniel receives from interacting with others has been foundational in his life and eventually led him to begin Content Magazine in 2008 to give honor and respect to local creatives in a way that would feel international. His work provides a glimpse into the lives of others, stealing moments from everyday life to give viewers a sense of the diversity and scope of his subjects. 

In our conversation, Daniel shares his motivation, development as a photographer, and a sneak peek at what guests can expect from his upcoming solo show. 

Visit Art Ark Gallery on May 5th, part of South First Friday San Jose Art Walk, to view a retrospective collection of Daniel Garcia’s photography. The show will display 100+ pieces and mark a transition into new long-term projects that Daniel is planning.

Alyssarhaye Graciano is a San Jose Native, practicing fiber artist, and current visual arts curator at MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana. Having learned to crochet and knit in her teens, Graciano founded BlackSheepMade with plans to fund a college internship abroad by selling beanies, scarves, and woven garments. She later moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue a post-college tech career before deciding to make BlackSheepMade her full-time job.

During that time, Alyssarhaye grew the business to include teaching workshops, public art installations, and writing a book called ‘Chunky Knits.’

The publication of her book in 2020 proved to be a turning point in Graciano’s career. Having moved back to San Jose at the start of pandemic lockdowns, the grind of producing inventory began to weigh heavy on her aching wrists and sense of creative exploration. Over the following years, Graciano found work at local arts nonprofits and made time to experiment with fiber-craft, sculpture, and assemblage. Alyssarhaye’s experience as a business owner, creative, and nonprofit community curator led her to a role as visual arts curator of MACLA. She is currently preparing for MACLAS’s upcoming Latinx Art Now! Exhibition and auction.

In our conversation, Alyssarhaye shares her development as an artist and business owner and her experience as MACLA’s visual arts curator.

Come to MACLA on 4-07-2023 for the exhibition opening of 2023 Latinx Art Now!, part of South First Fridays, and return on 5-20-2023 for the live auction and a chance to take home a piece from the exhibition.

# 93- Bree Karpavage - Collage Artist and Director of Santa Cruz First Fridays, and Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market

Born and raised in an island community off the coast of Maryland, Bree Karpavage sought to experience the world outside her small town. Taking a break from college, she took to the road crafting jewelry, starting a family, and ultimately setting roots in Santa Cruz, where she has lived for 15 years. When the grind of sustaining her family by crafting jewelry became tedious, she sought ways to implement her experience selling at makers’ markets in supporting the creative community of Santa Cruz and began creating a new body of collage artwork. Bree received a degree in advertising design and began coordinating events at The Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market to bring more regularly scheduled programming to the area. The connections she made through the makers’ market led her to a role as director of First Friday Santa Cruz in early 2020, the beginning of Pandemic lockdowns. Bree stood fast despite turbulence and worked to maintain a platform for artists to share their work. As the world recovers from the pandemic, Bree has created a new website, artist directory, and trip planning map for First Friday Santa Cruz to encourage folks to come out and support local art.

In our conversation, Bree shares her experiences creating art of her own, producing events, and the evolution she has gone through in various phases of her life.

Video - Bree Karpavage - Intro Video

Haley Cardamon first connected with the South Bay art scene in her teens when her family moved to Cannery Park in San José Japantown. Local purveyors such as Shorty Fatz Bicycles and Breezy Excursion exposed Haley to the vein of creativity that runs through San José. While taking courses at De Anza College, she found ways to combine class assignments with her interest in art. Those projects inspired her to start a magazine that could serve as a platform for underground art in the Bay Area. The publication was called B.A.C.K. (Bay Area Creative Klub). The connections Haley made through local art and curating the magazine led her to Local Color, a woman-powered arts nonprofit with a mission to build equitable opportunities for San José artists. Beginning as a volunteer, Haley would later earn a position on Local Color’s staff that deepened her connection with the community. Energized by the impact of San José’s creative culture, Haley launched an event named after the city. Initially called ‘408 day’, now called ‘San José Day,’ the event fosters community by curating an authentic representation of San José’s creative culture.

In our conversation, Haley shares her experiences curating B.A.C.K. magazine, connecting with the arts community, and finding her own path in the art world, her city, and her life.Make sure to come out on 4-08-2023 for San José Day, hosted by the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza from 12-6 pm.

Ann Ostermann, Open Studios & Events Director

Ann manages the complex production of our annual Open Studios Art Tour with a joyful attitude. She is the liaison for several hundred Open Studios artists, event sponsors, and volunteers.

A third-generation Californian who has lived in Santa Cruz since 1981, Ann has a degree in History from UCLA. Ann worked as a production coordinator in the tech world for 14 years, served as a Girl Scout leader & trainer for seven years, and volunteered on the SPECTRA Steering Committee in the 1990s before joining the Arts Council in 2002.

Ann shares about her love and work with the artists of Open Studios and the changes she has seen in the art culture of Santa Cuz during her 20 years with the Art Council.

Apply to Become an Open Studios Artist

Applications for the 2023 tour will be available March 1, 2023. The tour is limited to adults [18 or older] who are residents of Santa Cruz County. Email Ann Ostermann, ann@artscouncilsc.org to be notified when applications open and receive guidelines and guidance.

Episode #90 David Valdespino, Jr. - Content Production Manager

We are excited to introduce Content's new Production Manager, David Valdespino Jr.

A Singer-Songwriter, vinyl Dj, and bicycle enthusiast, David brings his passion for community and a degree in English education to Content's mission of connecting the South Bay through the art of storytelling. David will apply his experiences to writing, editing, curation, partnership development, and lifting community voices.

Featured: Issue 15.1

Andrew Espino, the founder of 1Culture, has a story to tell–just not his story.  @shop1culture

“When I opened the shop, I thought about what I wanted people to see or how they would feel—and with everything going on in the world, I really wanted people to feel present. When you walk in here, you can take a time out from the world and really get lost in these stories that haven’t been told, and you’ll be in a place where you can feel at home.”_ Andrew Espino

Become a Member and support sharing the stories of South Bay Creatives

https://bit.ly/contentmembership

Eva Rorandelli is a fashion designer and founder of Evaro Italia, following in the footsteps of her father Massimo and his father before him, who began manufacturing leather goods in Florence in 1943. Eva grew up helping her father in his stores in the historic San Lorenzo shopping district in Florence, surrounded by Renaissance art and architecture. She later studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence before moving to New York City to pursue a career in modeling and, eventually, fashion design. Since her father's passing in 2007, Eva has built on his legacy of classic Italian style, launching Evaro Italia as an internationally known luxury fashion house recognized for its timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship.

In our discussion, Eva shares her journey from moving to New York without speaking English to starting her fashion line.

Priya Das, Co-founder & Chief Programming Officer of Mosaic America

Priya is the creator of Mosaic's inspired framework for social cohesion using the Arts and drives the creative vision, programming strategy, artist relations, and community outreach.

In this episode, Priya discusses how being an art critic and columnist, her history classical Indian Bharatanatyam performer, and the Hawaiian/Slide Guitar have merged to help form Mosaic America, cofounder with Usha Srinivasan. In addition, Priya shares how coming to America put her on a journey to find her "giant self."

#87 - Angela Ostermeier - VP of Development, Cinequest

Angela joined the Cinequest team as the Events & Development Manager in 2018 and has expanded her role and responsibilities to VP of Development.

Angela works closely with sponsors, venue locations, and VIPs to ensure that Cinequest events such as Maverick Meet-Ups, Nightly VIP Soirees, and Opening & Closing night parties go off without a hitch. She prides herself on her attention to detail and drive to make each year's CQFF a success.

In our conversation, we learn about Angela's interests in the film industry, her experiences before coming to Cinequest, and her plans and ambitions in the world of filmmaking. She also gives us some insight into the year's in-person festival, her favorite film, and announces the new Cinequest Beer/Wine Garden, which ones today (8/16/22) and runs 11:30a to 7p daily through the festival. The Unzipped Pavilion is a great venue to meet visiting artists and each other over affordable kraft drinks, food trucks, and entertainment.

(Located at the stunning new Unzipped Pavilion, across from the California Theatre at 350 S. 1st Street 95113.)

Recorded in the Media Lounge at AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park.

(Sidenote: I mistakenly call the AC at the "Marriott Park." That is incorrect, is it the AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park)

Beverage:

AC Hotel Signature Cocktail - a refreshing Cucumber Gin and Tonic

James G. Leventhal is an enthusiastic art leader and visionary who has worked at top museums throughout the Bay Area and the United States. Now, as of January 2022, he is back in San Jose as the executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Art San José (ICA).

In this episode, James shares about major figures who shaped his path into this work. You’ll hear about the artist who sparked his early pivot from wanting to be an artist to wanting to support other artists, and the hero who inspired his view of museums as inclusive community centers.

With these influences and his professional experience, James comes to the ICA with a down-to-earth and sustainable vision that breaks through barriers and invites people in. Listen in on what this means for the ICA as a place for community to come together through immersive, experimental, and collaborative art.

More info about 

Tony Gapastione is a pastor turned filmmaker, actor, director, producer, screenwriter, podcaster, and CEO of BraveMaker.

In this episode, Tony shares how he went from creating in the shadows of his spiritual work as a pastor to the empowering realization that the performing arts can be a spiritual experience itself. Now from the hub of his organization BraveMaker he supports brave storytellers of all kinds through film screenings, panel discussions, and an annual film fest in Redwood City.

In the wake of his own recent loss, Tony’s first feature film Last Chance Charlene invites much-needed conversation about death in our culture that largely keeps it at arm’s length. Get a look into the emotional and real-life inspiration for characters in the film as well as a couple of fun easter eggs to look out for. Hear Tony’s thoughts about normalizing and de-stigmatizing discussions of death and suicide in support of those who are grieving.

Ruben Escalante suffered a heart attack as a freshman in high school. But this is only surprising until Ruben reveals the trauma they endured as a child: the father who went out at least once a week and came home drunk, angry, and violent; the early death of the grandfather who was the only one that could subdue his dad's temper; the constant and vicious attacks at school by bullies who could not accept a sensitive, poetry-loving brown boy.

In our conversation, Ruben talks about how art, music, and movies were always a way to cope with life's challenges, how they came to San Jose, and how discovering South First Art Walk opened their eyes to the creative scene. Now, as the Programs Director at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center powered by Google at MACLA, Ruben can continue to grow as an artist and mentor while helping others find their voice and police in creativity.

Kenneth Tan moved back to his home in San Jose from Los Angeles to help care for his grandmother, Crescenciana Tan ("lola" in Tagalog), in 2014. They began painting as an activity to do together. Lola would paint what she felt with watercolor, and then Kenneth would add drawings with markers based on her stories and memories - this led to a series of paintings they called "The Lola x Kenneth Collaboration."

The time he spent with Lola from 2014 until her death in December 2016 brought out the artist Kenneth always wanted to be.

Recently, Kenneth created and self-published a book to honor Lola's life story in "Crescenciana: a memoir & art book." 

In our conversation, we discuss the process of creating the book, a few of the stories of Lola's life, and his journey in becoming an artist.

Stacey is an attorney and program manager by trade and an art lover and community builder by heart. Stacey focuses on strategic partnership development and social impact for San Jose Walls. Born and raised in San Jose, she is passionate about creating a legacy of impactful public art in her hometown. 

In our conversation, we learn how she became a part of the SJWalls team and her desire to help the creativity in San Jose. As well, we discuss the transition from POW! WOW! SJ to SJWall. And we find out about her and her husband's Scamp - a lightweight fiberglass trailer camper.

Cilker Art & Design Interior Design Student: Sienna Hopper @only_irose

Digital Media/Animation

Sienna is a queer artist who found graphic design during a time in her life when she felt isolated from the world. Having dealt with social anxiety for a large portion of her upbringing, Sienna had trouble fully communicating her thoughts and feelings. She knew what she wanted to say, but vocalizing these messages was a struggle. However, in her junior year of high school, she finally found an outlet that did more than just give her a voice; it gave her a mission. Graphic design allowed Sienna to be the author of her dreams—building and telling stories through visual means. Today, she strives to tell the stories of others who struggle to have their voices heard.

@only_irose

British artist and photographer Marcus Lyon has been in the South Bay with his team, Camila Pastorelli, and Joe Briggs-Price, working on the next edition of A Human Atlas. Previous projects include Somos Brasil (2016), WE: deutschland (2018), and i.Detroit (2020), with this next version, titled De.Coded (launching 2023). This version will explore 101 remarkable change-makers of Silicon Valley. Each regionally focused volume is more than stunning colorful images; there is an interactive mobile app that activates audio recording of the person's oral histories when hovered over the portraits. In addition, the ancestral DNA of each person to map their history and human history of the city to create a deeper understanding of the city- to mirror society. 

In our conversation with Marcus, we talk about his inspiration for the project, his life, his approach to photography, and how his life's work to tell more profound stories through photography has led him to our neighborhood. 

Interior Design: Orit Avinoon-Metz

A graduating interior design student from West Valley College, Orit Avinoon-Metz brings her native Israeli roots to her California-inspired designs. She finds inspiration in her memories of her homeland, whether of the unique spring wildflowers or the color schemes that combine the Mediterranean Sea with a desert landscape. She incorporates this inspiration into modern living, creating spaces that are both unique and practical. When her kids got to school age, and the thoughts of getting back to work surfaced, Orit decided to follow her long-time dream and passion and embark on a career in interior design, leaving behind a successful career as a chemical engineer in pharmaceuticals. She looks forward to many years of creating beautiful spaces.

Featured in issue 14.3

Featured: 2022 Content Emerging Artist – Kiana Honarmand @kianahonarmand (https://instagram.com/kianahonarmand)

Jezrael Gandara’s work straddles the line between documentary and art, encouraging his subjects to communicate their feelings. “There are parts of San Jose that remind me of El Paso, and it makes it feel like home. I hope my work can make an impact within the community by helping share its stories.”

#80 Scott Knies - CEO San Jose Downtown Association

Scott has been at the helm of the San Jose Downtown Association since 1988 and has been the foundation's only executive director.

Starting as founder and owner of the Fencing Center in 1981, Scott's career changed as he and other business owners looked to represent the needs of downtown businesses and the Downtown community experience. Under his leadership over these last 34 years, Scott has band a prime seat in witnessing changes and directing the City's urban core vitality. The organization launched the Music in the Park summer concert series in 1989, the Downtown Farmers' Market, and the Downtown Ice skating rink - to list a few of the accomplishments. 

In 2021 Scott announced his plans to step down in the fall of 2022, and a search for his replacement has already been in process.

In our discussion, we talk about how he came to San Jose, became the CEO of the SJDA, the changes he has seen over the last three decades, and his love for rafting.

Bassist and composer Nick Panoutsos' (who was a Content intern before he went off to NYC in 2016) released his first solo album Monos. The Greek word for "alone" (μόνος), the album is a meditation on the isolation of 2020's pandemic lockdown. The album reflects on Nick's Greek heritage and fond memories of growing up in San Jose, CA, and the nearby Santa Cruz mountains.

In our conversation, we talk about his journey as a musician from moving from San Jose to New York and the inspiration behind the compassion on his album.

Mattie Scariot became Director of PJIFF in 2018 and grew the festival to an 8-day regional festival including Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister, and San Juan Bautista. 

In our conversation, Mattie explains her vision for the festival, focusing on diverse, inclusive, and women empowering films and seven educational programs. We talk about her journey to be the director and some of the highlights of this year's festival, which return to in-person events and screenings.

#77 - Amanda Rawson- Project Manager and  Researcher Director for Art Builds Community

Amanda Rawson has participated in the cultural art sector for more than eight years. Previously, Amanda worked as the Major Gifts Officer for the San Jose Museum of Art and the Donor and External Relations Manager at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. Rawson's background in art history, development, and program management enables her to create spaces that bring together the community. She is a founding member of San Jose Arts Advocates. She was the chair of genArts Silicon Valley, a program of Silicon Valley Creates dedicated to empowering creative individuals and emerging arts leaders through professional development, advocacy, and networking.

In our discussion, we talked about Amanda's path to becoming the project manager and research director of Art Builds Community, her role, and the work they have been doing for the County of Santa Clara Office of Women's Policy on a project called Womanhood.