exhibition: February 3 to March 17, 2012
opening reception: Friday, February 3, from 7 to 10pm
and join us for another First Friday reception: March 2, from 7 to 10pm

panel discussion with the artists: Sunday, March 11, 2pm
The curator and all artists will be present, admission free, with bake sale to benefit Works/San José

Femme Fatale is a seductive and haunting exhibition exploring the complexities of femininity. Featuring the work of Bay Area artists Jody Alexander, Connie Begg, Victoria May, Stephanie Metz, and Sylvia Min, Femme Fatale is both a subtle homage and commentary of domesticity, social constructs, and the feminine experience.

Jody Alexander references domesticity and “values” through an installation of found objects carefully wrapped in fabric.  Fascinated by history and feminine iconography, Connie Begg illuminates the tension of capturing a frightening yet beautiful object through historical photographic processes. Victoria May’s organza and steel based forms reflect her interest in domesticity, tension, and dichotomy, and allude to the fundamental struggles inherent in the human condition. Utilizing wool fibers and textiles, Stephanie Metz attempts to “distill the essence of a creature” and acknowledges our mammalian roots in her mysterious sculptures. Emphasizing light and shadow, Sylvia Min examines the iconic image of the bride through her paintings.

The artwork, while diverse in form, resonates with overlapping proclivities towards detail, concept, and tone. Monochromatic sculptures, installations, paintings, and photographs seduce and disturb through layers of inherent tensions, enigmatic contrasts, and meticulous handwork.

Femme Fatale is curated by Sylvia Min.

Works presents The Cardboard Box Theatre Project in an evening of Femor!

Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14, 2012
shows at 8pm (doors open 7:30pm)

The Cardboard Box Theatre Project will present all-new, original comedic evenings on January 13 and 14, 2012 at Works/San Jose. Doors open half an hour before showtime (Show 8PM Friday; 8PM Saturday). (Concessions available) Tickets: Pay what you can.

The Cardboard Box Theatre Project’s 3 Woman, 1 Woman Show (with three women) offers an evening of theatre celebrating female humor. Comprised of multiple scenes and sketches written by the company, 3 Woman features three Cardboard Box favorites: Hayley Lovgren, Maren Lovgren and Kristin Schmitz. These three amazingly talented and extremely funny women guide the audience through a whirlwind tour of “womanhood” that explores everything from budding sexuality to gender roles to downright competition. Their one-woman show (with three women) will leave you laughing as you are introduced to the many facets of Femor (female humor). Much more than a night of stand-up, 3 Woman offers audiences a chance to delight in a fast paced theatre piece that will introduce you to new Cardboard Box characters including venerable actress Kitty Parade, Sister Regina who struggles to teach young women about their…well, you know…, and a new muse shepherding the creative output of today’s social media.

The evening will begin with several opening acts of music, dance, and theatre presented by other Cardboard Box Theatre Project actors.

Join us as we explore & celebrate Femor!

Saturday, December 17, 5pm to 11pm

Nine local artists show art from mixed media and recycled materials on the subjects of life and natural forms.
Efren Alvarez
Tulio Flores
Elizabeth Jimenez Montelongo
Ylan Luna
Kimy Martinez
Fernando Ortiz
Freddie Vega
Cristina Velazquez
Mireya Villanueva

An evening of art, music, and more!
$1 donation at the door benefits Works/San José

Linda Hesh, Kiss Me/Kill Me t-shirts

iraqimemorial.org

November 4 through December 10
opening reception: First Friday, November 4, 7 to 10pm
gallery walkthrough with the curator and artists: Friday, November 4 at 6pm

iraqimemorial.org is a participation-based conceptual project launched in 2007 as an internet platform for artists, designers, and architects to propose concepts for memorials to the unrecognized civilian casualties incurred during the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Works presents an exhibition of plans and responses selected out of the pool that now exist on the iraqimemorial.org site. The proposal guidelines encourage participants to use a wide range of locations and mediums to create collective memory and unity, drawing upon traditional and expanded ideas of memorial. iraqimemorial.org is an effort initiated by media artist Joseph DeLappe to call upon the collective creative community to consider the cost of war from all sides. The exhibition at Works presents a selection of 54 of the most striking submissions as selected by two juror’s reviews. Featured projects span a range of creative practices including:  architecture, social media, geomapping, performance, video and the visual arts.

architectural proposal by Mehedi Amin

artwork by HakkI Erol

The Bindlepunks in Our American Myth

Works proudly presents the Bindlepunks Theatre Co. production of Our American Myth.

What would you kill for? Why do we have such a strong heritage of political violence in America?

Someone got shot and we want to understand why.

When Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, we had some questions. Mainly, “WHY?!” We started asking our friends, families, strangers at bars, and the Interwebs. They told us things, and we put those things into a play…

So now we weave a new American myth:
The tale of a brave and conflicted politician, and the patriotic and idealistic young man who is ultimately driven to shoot her. If that sounds like your cup of tea… If you feel up to the challenge of the conversation… If you’re looking for something a little different in the South Bay…

We need your help to bring Our American Myth to life.

performances at Works:
Thu, Oct 27th at 8pm
Fri, Oct 28th at 8pm
Sat, Oct 29th at 8pm
Sun, Oct 30th at 4pm
Sat, Nov 5th at 8pm
Sun, Nov 6th at 4pm

Tickets: $10-20 sliding scale at the door.
To reserve a spot, email bindlepunks@gmail.com or call (650) 458-PUNK

Check out the Bindlepunks website/blog for sneak peeks and to join the ongoing conversation!

http://www.bindlepunks.com

September 30 through October 22, 2011

Works is indeed “Movin on Up!” with the most diverse annual exhibition in the South Bay on view in Works’ new home at 365 South Market. A wide array of regional artists show their support for community art and performance at the same time as displaying an eclectic variety of talents.

The October 7 First Friday Art Walk at Works features music by the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose, a no-host bar, and a host of Works members!

Steve Cooley, digital art screen shot

Join or renew your membership in Works to participate in Movin’ on Up!, the 2011 member art exhibition.

Each member of works is invited to place one work of art into the exhibition, your single piece must be ready-to-hang (framed/mounted with all hanging hardware). We must limit wall pieces to 24 inches in width by 24 inches in height; and sculptural pieces to 24 inches in width and depth—space is tight in our new home, so please consider a smaller work! Deliver work to to 365 South Market Street on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, September 23, 24, or 25, noon to 4pm.

The exhibition will open with a special artist/member reception and annual membership announcements on Friday, September 30 from 7pm to 10pm. The party will continue with the south first friday art walk on Friday October 7, from 7pm to 11pm. The exhibition runs September 30 through October 22, 2011.

DOWNLOAD THE CALL FOR ENTRIES: member_call_2011

Primer paso (First Step):  emancipation of a life (emancipación de una vida)

KidWorks art workshops start Sunday, July 17 at 1pm!

This summer, KidWorks workshops are held third sundays and are FREE and open to all grade school-age kids accompanied by an adult.

sunday, july 17, 1pm to 3pm
introducing printmaking
the basics and a brief history of print-making, followed by sytyrofoam and vegetable printing on paper

sunday, august 21, 1pm to 3pm
collage cut-outs
a playful exploration of color and form leads to building a scene with paper cut-outs

sunday, september 18, 1pm to 3pm
sun-dry pottery
using clay to explore texture, symbol making, and the historic and practical nature of pottery

KidWorks fosters appreciation for art by giving local children and their families new ways to express themselves through art in a no-mistakes environment. These free creative opportunities are provided at Works!

Words Drawing Music

Friday July 15th 7pm to 11pm
Works: 365 South Market St., downtown San José

Come participate in an evening of music, poetry, and live drawing!
with featured poets: Chris Arcus, Bea Garth, Kimy Martinez
and musicians: Brandon Biggs, Gianfranco Paolozzi, and DJ Tommy D. spining a mix of ambient, rock, and 80′s

Poets go on at 8pm, Open Mic at 9:30