If you are interested in donating to Downtown Doors, please email Blage Zelalich or call 408-279-1775, ext. 323.
Downtown Doors Request for Submissions 2013
Downtown Doors Quick Facts 2013
Downtown Doors 2012 Walking Map
Program receives top award of excellence from International Downtown Association for Public Space Programming
More about San Jose Downtown Foundation
The 10th anniversary Downtown Doors student art competition and exhibition is expanding again to 21 new locations in 2013. A panel of judges has selected 25 art pieces from a pool of more than 160 representing the best artworks from 16 area high schools and two middle schools.
“Congratulations to San Jose Downtown Foundation for nurturing young talent and providing us with an up-to-date gallery of their work,” said Barbara Goldstein, former public art director for the City of San Jose, who served on the jury panel in 2013.
Students complete the artworks to meet specifications provided by the Downtown Foundation. Selected pieces are transitioned to large vinyl decals and then applied to utility doors and boxes that service downtown’s infrastructure, where they make significant and poignant contributions to downtown San Jose’s urban landscape.
“This program works well on so many community levels,” said Diana Beechie, SJDF president. “For some of the artists, this may be a life-changing moment when they gain the confidence to continue to focus on the arts in their lives. On the other hand, we’re so happy to unveil the works and beautify our downtown streets for all the passersby.”
The program has expanded from four pieces in 2003 to 80 locations in 2013. Over the 10 years of the program (skipping 2008 to prepare the program for its expansion), 162 works have been displayed from students representing 22 area schools. Lincoln, the original high school involved, leads with 46 selections. Students representing East Side Union High Schools, a diverse community with the highest dropout rate in the region, have contributed 50 works, nearly one in three.
In 2012, Downtown Doors garnered a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for the program’s contributions to arts education and public art, and won the top prize from the International Downtown Association for its positive public space-making attributes.
The simple program requires students to work several months to prepare their pieces for judging. It engages educators and families, as well as a loyal and supportive group of property owners to host the art works, sponsors to fund installation and judges, trustees and staff to administer.
“The students really enjoy being part of something that contributes to their city,” said Ginna Ingelfinger, art teacher at Independence High School.
Of the 11 schools that had student artwork selected, five are East Side Union High Schools, representing nine of the 25 selected works. Four students had a pair of works selected. While teachers are delighted to include Downtown Doors as part of their curriculum and students see the character-building and real-life aspects the program, pedestrians viewing the finished pieces are compelled to contemplate and ponder the welcoming, colorful pieces.
A ceremony honoring the artists and their works will coincide with South First Friday / SubZero Festival on Friday, June 7.
Sponsors for the art include: Adobe Systems, Inc., Arts Council Silicon Valley, Catered Too!, City of San Jose, Cisco, Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark Knight Frank, eBay Foundation, Fairmont San Jose, Jeppesen, Law Offices of Willoughby, Stuart, Bening, Inc., Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation, Littler Mendelson, Northwest Mutual San Jose, Orchard Commercial, Inc., On Your Mark Graphics, Robinson & Wood, Inc., Rotary Club of San Jose, San Jose Water Co., Xactly Corp., and San Jose Downtown Association.
A free downloadable walking map will be available soon.
The Downtown Doors Class of 2013 includes:
Del Mar High School:
Stephany Sanchez – “Oso’s Rebirth” / Location – Utility Box: First and San Carlos
Evergreen Valley High School:
Alexis Elazegui – “Still” / Location – The 88
Melissa Tow – “Wallflower” / Location – Utility Box – Paseo de San Antonio
Andrew P. Hill High School:
Jazmin Eusebio – “Mama” / Location – Utility Box – Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Daniel Valencia – “Half Developed” / Location – 33 S. Third St.
Daniel Valencia – “Do it for the Glory” / Location – 288 S. Second St.
Homestead High School:
Connor Church – “Playing Cards” / Location – The Pavilion, First Street
Connor Church – “ Not to Worry”/ Location – 55 S. Market St.
Allegra Jones – “Cotton Candy” / Location – Three Sixty Residences
Allegra Jones – “ I am”/ Location – 55 S. Market St.
Catherine Huang – “An Average Day”/ Location – Utility Box – Third and San Carlos streets
Stefania Gueorguieva – “Reflection”/ Location – Utility Box – Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Independence High School:
Jasmine Fuentes – “Bat”/ Location – Utility box – Third and San Carlos streets
Leigh High School:
Renee Gonzalez – “Modern World”/ Location – Utility Box – Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Lincoln High School
Amanda King – “Endless Knowledge” / Location – Utility Box – San Carlos at Second streets
Notre Dame High School:
Erin Orsley – “Fanning a Rainbow” / Location – Fairmont San Jose
Sierra Larsen – “Touching Two Worlds” / Location – Fairmont San Jose
Haley Gallegos – “ Too Many Choices”/ Location – 60 S. Market St.
Kaela Crowley – “Seasons” / Location – The 88
Piedmont Hills High School:
Amy Lam– “Siren”; Location – Fairmont San Jose
Thong H. Luc – “Untitled Photograph”/ Location – 8 N. San Pedro St.
Pioneer High School
Lauren Park – “The Second Great Beanstalk” / Location – 50 W. San Fernando St.
Lauren Park – “Carrier Sparrow” / Location – San Jose Repertory Theatre
Corazon Collen – “ Spacebound” / Location – San Jose Repertory Theatre
Silver Creek High School:
Valerie Nguyen– “Light on the Wall”/ Location – 60 S. Market
Click here to see the Downtown Doors school presentation
DT Doors Request for Submissions 2013
Download information about Sponsoring Downtown Doors in 2012-13
Click here to view 2011-12 Highlights
Click here to view 2010-11 Highlights
Click here to view 2009-10 Highlights
Click here to view 2007-09 Highlights
