Something wonderful is happening in San Jose. The city that’s been in a creative dryspell is finally getting some action. Sterile walls are transforming into colorful murals, art installations keep popping up in front of city hall, and creative community-centered events are filling up the city calendar.
Even though San Jose has long had artists and creatives interact with the community through various projects and initiatives, recently creativity and the celebration of our community’s diversity seems to have taken a central position on the city’s agenda.
On December 7th, the city’s Mayor Sam Liccardo, the Director of Cultural Affairs, as well as commissioners, planners, artists and food vendors gathered on Paseo de San Antonio outside of Hammer Theatre for the grand opening of the Eastside Street Food Hub, a space for local food vendors, created through a partnership of the City of San Jose and Veggielution, San Jose’s six-acre urban farm.
The Eastside Food Hub is on a mission to economically empower local food vendors, many of whom come from immigrant communities, by providing a space for them to drive their business at the center of downtown San Jose. Veggielution is doing their part in supporting the vendors by providing locally grown produce, while at the same time encouraging sustainable food practices.
The result: a community-friendly, locally managed food hub in the heart of San Jose.
The opening event featured Laura Kimpton, the artist behind a giant XO installation opposite city hall and the HaHa installation on Paseo De San Antonio in front of the Hammer Theater Center.
Before introducing the evening’s entertainment, a bohemian-masquerade dance ensemble that danced and played with the crowd, the director of cultural affairs encouraged the community to interact with the art and to pick up a “creative license” from the South Bay Burners group.
Thanks to a really cool initiative by the city and Veggielution, a night about town turned into something truly special. Keep it up San Jose.
Penned by Alina K. A. 