Downtown Doors student are exhibit expands to 113 locations

The Downtown Doors art project showcases the artistic talents of San Jose high school students throughout the Downtown area. The program began in 2003, and now has 113 locations. Many are located in heavily trafficked streets while others might be hidden in a blighted corner off the beaten path. Wherever they are located, these works of art all elevate the neighborhood they are placed in and add some much needed color to our streets.

Out of 189 submissions from 21 San Jose high schools, 20 new pieces of artwork were chosen for 2017. You can see the winners as well as a handy walking map with all of the Downtown Doors installations over here.

SAN JOSE – The 20 students selected for 2017 Downtown Doors exhibition provided a mix of pensive character sketches and unique perspectives on life and lessons learned, always expressing their emotions through broad swatches of colors and artistic techniques.  These thoughtful pieces of art will help beautify the downtown San Jose landscape and offer food for thought for thousands of pedestrian who pass by each week.

The winners of the annual competition -- now in its 13th year -- were selected from 189 submissions from students at 21 San Jose high schools.  In 2017, the Downtown Doors program produced by the San Jose Downtown Foundation expanded to 113 sites located in the city’s core.  Using the same application seen on some light rail trains and buses, their pieces are enlarged, transferred onto vinyl decals and affixed to single- and double-panel service doors of large buildings, and a number of utility boxes throughout downtown San Jose.

Since the program began in 2003, 252 student works have been selected.  “Success is often measured by the amount of wealth, however, true success is measured in how we make the world a better place,” said Diana Beechie, president of the San Jose Downtown Foundation.  “Our students have achieved great success by creating a more beautiful vibrant downtown.”

Several of the students put their inspiration, message and other thoughts and feelings on videotape, which can be retrieved by a smart phone at the art locations Yerba Buena High School students Nayeli Galvan and Manuel Beltran, for example, were motivated in distinctly different ways.  While Galvan stated her purpose for “My Shattered World” was to use watercolors to paint a mosaic splashed with the brightest colors, Beltran paid respect and sent a strong message of support  to his girlfriend, entitling his piece, “Courage.”

Chloe Calhoun, a senior at Santa Teresa High School, created an inspirational character, “Mercedes,” a woman with one mechanical arm who is strong and can handle all of life’s challenges.  “I want her to be an inspiration for everyone to keep fighting,” Calhoun said. “I’m happy to put her out in the public and to put more art out into the world.”

Downtown Doors has proven to be a stepping stone toward better grades, graduation, college and a leadership position in society.  Students often claim that the Downtown Doors competition confirms their talent as artists.  Every person selected shows excitement at being included on the prestigious list of Downtown Doors winners.

A private reception honoring the artists and their works will take place May 4 at the San Jose Museum of Art.

Program sponsors include: Imwali Properties, City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, Catered Too!, Orchard Commercial, Inc., PG&E, Kimley-Horn, Jeppesen, Republic Services, Councilmember Dev Davis, SVCreates, KQED, AC Hotel and San Jose Water Company.

2017 site hosts include: Marriott Hotel, 288 S 2nd Street, Fairmont Hotel, City of San Jose, 33 S Third Street Apartments, City View Plaza, The 88, Local Color, Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, Hyatt Place, AC Hotel, San Jose Museum of Art and Good Karma

This year’s new installations and a walking map of the art sites are posted at sjdowntown.com/foundation.  The students’ work will be viewable for several years before being replaced.

About:  The San Jose Downtown Foundation (SJDF) promotes cultural awareness and civic participation in San Jose and Santa Clara County through youth education programs, public events and art exhibits.  SJDF is the 501c3 arm of the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), whose mission is to represent business and property owners to improve downtown and enhance downtown’s vitality and livability.

School tally of Downtown Doors Winners (2003-2017)

East Side Union HS District

(9) Andrew P Hill – 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

(15) Evergreen Valley – 09, 09, 09, 09, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16

(8) Independence – 12, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17, 17

(3) James Lick – 11, 12, 16

(9) Mount Pleasant –  04, 05, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 16, 17

(3) Oak Grove – 07, 07, 07

(17) Piedmont Hills – 09, 09, 09, 10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 17

(16) Santa Teresa – 06, 09, 11, 11, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17

(2) Silver Creek – 12, 13

(7) Yerba Buena – 10, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17

(89) East Side Total

(2) Bellarmine College Prep. – 10, 17

(6) Cupertino – 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11

(5) Del Mar – 12, 12, 13, 14, 15

(3) Downtown College Prep – 04, 07, 07

(9) Gunderson – 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16

(12) Homestead – 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 16, 17, 17

(10) Leigh – 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17

(1) Leland – 16

(48) Lincoln (includes Saturday Art Academy) – 03, 03, 03, 03, 04, 04, 04, 04, 04, 05, 05, 05, 05, 05, 05, 05, 05, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 06, 07, 07, 07, 07, 07, 07, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 10, 10, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14

(32)Notre Dame – 06, 07, 07, 07, 07, 07, 07, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 09, 10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17

(11) Pioneer –12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 17, 17

(5) San Jose High Academy – 04, 05, 05, 05, 05

(2) San Jose High – 16, 17

(8) Willow Glen – 12, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16

(1) Castillero Middle – 12

(155) All other districts subtotal

(2) Okayama, Japan – 14, 16

(2) Pune, India – 14, 16

(2) Tainan, Taiwan – 14, 16

(1) Dublin, Ireland – 14

(1) San Jose, Costa Rica – 14

(8) International Subtotal

(252) TOTAL