Art glass panes reflect patterns of nature, locale

Artist Ruth met with Willow Glen residents at the start of the project. They shared with him their strong affinity for the area's natural features, tree-lined streets, and craftsman-era style homes, their sentiment about the region's the agricultural past and as well as their embrace of a new, modern aesthetic emerging in the neighborhood, and their pride in the Willow Glen community. These ideas helped shape his concept for the artwork.

Ruth's windows are intended to capture the feeling of light as it filters through tree branches, particularly through willow tree branches. The windows are a striking feature viewed from either the interior or exterior, during day or night. During the afternoon they create colorful patterns reminiscent of light through leaves on the inside of the library; in the evening light from the Library emanates outward through the windows. 

Of great importance to the community, the architects were also able to preserve an existing tile mural in the courtyard. My Rabbits, Stories in Clay was created with donated community funding in 2000 by artist Nina Koepcke and children from Willow Glen Library in memory of Helen Clair Owen. 

Next Meeting:  August 19, 2008 - 4:00 PM Special Meeting Time! 

The Public Art Committee 's regular monthly meeting is Tuesday, August 19 at 4:00 PM. This meeting start time is changed for this month only. The following action and discussion items are on the meeting agenda:

• Airport Artist Selection: Approval of artists for  Permanent and Rotating Public Art Program at the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. (Citywide) 

• Airport Artwork Design Development: Approval of an increase in the contract with artist team UeBERSEE for the fabrication and installation of a public art project for the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. (Citywide)

The Public Art Committee, a sub-committee of the Arts Commission, is advisory to the Commission and to San José City Council. The Public Art Committee monitors and provides oversight in the artist selection, development and design review of public art projects throughout the City.

Meetings, Dedications, Celebrations, Lectures, Exhibits & More  

 Current listings for August-September as of newsletter distribution  

 POSTCARDS FROM LAKE CUNNINGHAM: Vintage images from a beloved historic San Jose location, on display in the 18th Floor Lobby Gallery (Tower) through July 2009. 

Jon Brumit's South Bay Talent Center (SBTC), located at the Lion Building, 97 South 2nd St., Suite 100 (at San Fernando and S. 2nd), is an interactive project inspired by the notion that everyone is good at something. SBTC encourages participation in bi-weekly talent showcases.  Designed to explore, catalog and celebrate the numerous varieties of "talent" found within San José via its inhabitants, visitors, and workers, SBTC seeks to promote accessibility and public interaction.  Closing Soon - 2 days left!: SBTC is open Thursday, August 14 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m; Friday, August 15th from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and as noted above in "Special Events, will have a final Open Mic/Talent Show Performance on Saturday August 16.  Details and performance clips can be found on www.southbaytalentcenter.com .  

Hector Dio Mendoza's Cultural Citizen multimedia project explores what it means to be a "cultural citizen" in San José. The work includes a website, posters and banners along 1st & 2nd Streets. A major new element, a "Cultural Citizen Tree" was installed in St. James Park in July, 2008. For more information and inter-active elements of the project go to the Cultural Citizen website at www.culturalcitizen.org. Ongoing through the year's end. 

Bill Fontana's Sonic Cascades broadcasts the live sounds of the bells of Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd, creating a sound sculpture that interacts with the urban landscape. It can be heard along N. Second Street and features combination of some traditional bell music and minimalist composition by Fontana.  Sonic Cascades will be featured on a continuing basis.   

JD Beltran's Downtown Mirror features four video projections within storefronts and building windows reflecting both the local environment and the rich demographic and historical atmosphere of the downtown. Text from recent interviews and historic texts are superimposed on the videos revealing a fascinating time-spanning portrait of the downtown. Continuing through the Summer, Downtown Mirror video projections can be viewed in the following locations: in two storefront windows adjacent to Zanotto's at The Globe Residential Community located at 25 S. 3rd Street, at 38 2nd Street, and in a small storefront window on the Paseo De San Antonio, adjacent to Camera 12 Cinemas.     
  
                             
Please go to www.w1w2.org  for more details about the all of these projects, related events, and more

TWO FUN WAYS TO EXPLORE PUBLIC ART IN DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE