Putting in an artwork exhibition may be painstaking, exact work. However it’s in all probability not as soiled because it was for co-curators Alyssarhaye Graciano and Olivia Esparza once they helped artist rafa esparza create an adobe ground for “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition at MACLA’s downtown San Jose gallery.
They made mud and integrated straw and manure, and the artist finally left the sneakers he was sporting embedded within the adobe. One of many stunning elements of the piece is that guests can stroll across the hardened perimeter.
“From Their Hands to Ours,” which opened Dec. 5 and runs by March 8, is a collaboration between Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) and the Montalvo Arts Heart in Saratoga. Graciano is MACLA’s visible arts curator and Olivia Esparza is Montalvo’s Marcus Curatorial Fellow. The opposite artists concerned, along with rafa esparza, are Estefania Ajcip, Miguel Arzabe, Edra Soto and Arleene Correa Valencia.
Artist Miguel Arzabe poses in entrance of his painted and woven piece that was impressed by Bolivian textile artwork, which is included in “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition on the MACLA gallery in downtown San Jose, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Arleene Correa Valencia talks about one among her items included in “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition on the MACLA gallery in downtown San Jose, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Artist Edra Soto discusses her artwork set up which is included in “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition on the MACLA gallery in downtown San Jose, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Co-curators Olivia Esparza and Alyssarehaye Graciano discuss “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition throughout a reception for its opening on the MACLA gallery in downtown San Jose on Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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Artist Miguel Arzabe poses in entrance of his painted and woven piece that was impressed by Bolivian textile artwork, which is included in “From Their Hands to Ours,” a brand new exhibition on the MACLA gallery in downtown San Jose, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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Every of their items touches on a way of identification or place and what they’ve inherited from their ancestors. The adobe ground, for instance, displays not solely rafa esparza’s Chicano heritage however his relationship together with his father in making adobe bricks. Edra Soto’s artwork is harking back to the fences in her native Puerto Rico. And Miguel Arzabe’s woven-and-painted piece is impressed by Bolivian textile arts.
“I think you can look at this exhibit and see that focus on tradition and cultural heritage is on clear display,” mentioned San Jose Metropolis Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who attended a preview reception Dec. 4. “‘From Their Hands to Ours” is all about exploring the methods the custom, tales and data which can be handed down all through the generations inform the best way that we will present up and navigate the world.”
MACLA is at 510 S. First St. in downtown San Jose and is open Wednesday by Sunday from midday to five p.m. Admission is free apart from particular occasions.
KEEP ON SKATING: Good climate has helped present a superb begin for Downtown Ice, the San Jose Downtown Affiliation’s skating rink on the Circle of Palms. Rink Supervisor Tricia McNabb says despite the fact that the rink didn’t open till Nov. 28 — a few weeks later than common — attendance has been robust to this point with Mayor Matt Mahan and different metropolis staffers stopping by for a spin final week.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan skates on the Downtown Ice skating rink within the Circle of Palms on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
If McNabb had one vacation want, although, it will be for a five-figure sponsor to maintain the rink open by Tremendous Bowl LX in February. It’s presently set to shut Jan. 19, however a number of extra weeks can be a pleasant deal with. Any takers on the market?
The rink is gearing up for its prolonged vacation hours beginning Dec. 19, however till then it’s open Monday by Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., with longer hours on Friday by Sunday. It’s $21 to skate, and that features skate rental. Get extra data at www.skateunderthepalms.com.
BIRTHDAY GIVING: Some folks would welcome an enormous occasion once they flip 90, however not Lew Wolff, the previous proprietor of the Oakland A’s, San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose’s Fairmont Resort. He hit the milestone birthday Dec. 13 however wouldn’t enable his daughter, Kari Wolff, and son, Keith Wolff, to throw him a celebration to have a good time. As an alternative, the Wolff household is donating 50 full scholarships to Yavneh Day Faculty in Los Gatos. Kari Wolff was a longtime elementary grade trainer on the faculty, and three of Lew Wolff’s grandchildren are graduates.
SHOW BUSINESS: Talking of birthdays, beloved writer Jane Austen’s 250th is on Dec. 16. In case you’re within the temper to have a good time, you would at all times soak up TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.” The play, a Christmas sequel to Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, is on the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto by Dec. 28. Tickets are at theatreworks.org.
HERITAGE IMAGES: A brand new show on the Los Altos Historical past Museum is opening Dec. 18 and can doc among the city’s early residents by historic portraits, work and sculptures. “Portraits of Los Altos” was impressed by Anna Knapp Fitz, who sculptured many terracotta busts and painted portraits of Los Altos townspeople. Sophia Lujan, the museum’s curator of collections, says among the households featured embody the Duvenecks of Hidden Villa fame and farming households just like the the Brubakers, Furuichis and Smiths. Get extra data at www.losaltoshistory.org.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: The primary evening of Hanukkah is Dec. 14, and Santana Row in San Jose will once more be the location of a neighborhood celebration at Park Valencia in entrance of Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant. Simply search for the enormous menorah and get there in time for the festivities, which run from 4 to 7 p.m. with dwell music and family-friendly actions.
