Berni is an artist who was born in Chile and grew up in San Jose, California. Inspired by her love for the outdoors and wildlife, she incorporates plants and animals into most of her pieces, capturing their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Her creative outlets include drawing, graphic design and clay work.
Corbrae Smith is an Oakland-based artist, muralist and teach for whom San Jose holds a very special place. Speaking of his very first art instructor position Rocketship Academy and where he painted his first mural, “San Jose has many life-changing firsts for me and will always be near and dear to my heart.”
Luis Guardado a San Jose-based graphic designer, self-taught illustrator, mixed media artist and musician finds inspiration for his work through his lived experiences. As the son of immigrant parents, growing up around gangs, his active involvement in the local punk/hardcore/metal scene as both a musician and artist, sparked his general love of and curiosity for music and art, and pondering from the human experience.
Julie Dang is a mild-mannered professional by day, and friendly neighborhood artist by night. A self-taught artist born and raised in San Jose, she strives to use art as a habitat for herself and others to be authentic, curious, and connected. By tinkering with quirky, surreal imagery that draws from influences of her Vietnamese heritage and the experiences that shaped her worldview, she aspires to add her voice in support of Southeast Asian equity and inclusion in the arts and advocacy for POC representation in the mental health space. When she’s not pondering and doodling, Julie keeps herself busy traveling, learning new recipes, enjoying the luxury recliner movie experience, and watching competitive cooking shows.
Arely Cardenas is a first-generation Mexican American woman born and raised in San Jose. As a young child, Arely loved getting stickers from the 50 cent machines throughout the different stores in on San Jose’s East Side and would keep notebook paper around the house to practice sketching those animated Chicano images. As Arely was starting her small business in 2019, she embarked on a journey to find out more about her ancestral roots in Mexico. She became inspired to paint portraits that embodied her idols: female Mexican elders and social leaders in our San Jose communities. Today, Areily is painting with a heavy focus around empowering women and continues to be an active participant of the SV Pride Committee by serving as their Art Curator and hosting live painting events where queer and queer ally artists from all over the Bay Area come together to paint live for our LGBTQAI+ families and friends.
