Tag: Mural

Good Luck Forever is a mural by Taki Ryudaibori Kitamura and can be found in Japantown in San Jose on 7th Street. There is a good write up of the symbolism used here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cik4TLnJKsA/.

It’s in a great spot with other great art.

Leyendas de San José is a mural by the Timeless Art Collective formed by artists Steven Martinez, Eduardo Herrera, and Ariana Hansen. You will find it at Santa Cara and 19th Street in San Jose.

At first, my favorite part about this mural was the color and the artistry of it. Now however, after hours of internet searches, I am enjoying most the new things I am learning as I try to learn who these seven people are. Who are these people of San Jose, Leyendas – Legends, who made a difference by contributing to the culture of our society?

Below are a few words to give context to each individual chosen for this mural. These are oversimplifications and do not do the lives of these individuals justice. It is easier to find info online for some of these San Jose contributors than others. What I did find was fascinating and inspiring and I have enjoyed the trails and research and thoughts inspired that have resulted for me because of these searches. This art appreciation has turned into a history lesson and cultural appreciation experience for me.

Jesus Valenzuela – San Jose radio voice of KSJO
Ricardo Santa Fe – Singer, musician, composer
Daniel Valdez – Actor, musician, composer, activist
Art Rodriguez – Author
Jose Martinez – Lowrider culture legend
Luis Valdez – Writer, actor, director, teacher, activist – this guy’s life should be a book and movie for sure
Sonny Madrid – One of the founders of Lowrider Magazine, started by San Jose State University students

As a child seeing Lowrider Magazine for sale in stores I never knew that it was started here in San Jose. I had no idea that I was living in a Lowrider culture-generator that was represented in a national magazine, rather than the other way around.

I’m still learning more about these Leyendas de San José, enjoying the web searches. I look forward to seeing a mural for women Leyendas of San José and learning about their lives.

Reason to Stay is a mural by Roan Victor (https://www.roanvictor.com/) in Japantown of San Jose.

Little Moment is a mural by Noségo (https://www.nosego.com/)in San Jose’s Japantown. There is info about it here: https://www.nbstore.com/nosego-mural

Along the tracks in Japantown, San Jose.