The 2001 – 2002 SharkByte Art Event
Based on the successful “Cows on Parade” public art exhibition in New York and Chicago, SharkByte Art will feature artistic renderings of 100 six-foot-long fiberglass sharks to be displayed throughout San Jose’s sidewalks, parks and plazas from August through November 2001. Download the official map for this event! (Adobe PDF).
SharkByte Art Charity Auction
(March 2002) The SharkByte Art event has successfully concluded the exhibition as the final stage is completed. The auction for these 100 beauties was on March 2nd in San Jose at the SJ Convention Center.
I feel fortunate to have been part of this fabulous event and I am pleased to say that the two Sharks that I created “deFINitely Downtown: was auctioned off at a wonderful final bid of $3,200.00. The other shark that I created “Loan Shark” was auctioned off for $2,500.00.
This was a really fun project, one that I can proudly say I was a part of. San Jose is my home and roots, it was really great to have participated. Thanks to everyone who had wonderful support and sent kind kudos of encouragement!
Fox Sport News Interview
(October 2001) SharkByte Art was featured on the popular cable channel Fox Sports Net in October, as part of a four-week series called “SharkByte,” a half hour magazine-style show that explores the world of San Jose Sharks hockey. A crew recently spent a day filming sharks near the Compaq Center at San Jose, and interviewing several artists from the project (including me!). The segment is scheduled to air at the following dates and times:
Thursday, October 11th at 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 13th at 3:30 PM
Thursday, October 18th at 4:00 PM
Check your local cable listings for your channel information.
…Still Swimming with Sharks…
(July 2001) Sonya Paz, a native of San Jose is participating with two uniquely brightly painted sharks; “Loan Shark” and the highly publicized “deFINitely Downtown San Jose”, both of which had made their debut on Wednesday, August 1, 2001 in downtown San Jose.
Here are some photos of the recently finished Sharks!
Location!
The location for the sharks that I completed are as follows: “Loan Shark”, (number #56 on the map) is being sponsored by R&J Jewelers in Downtown SJ, located on First Street (At Santa Clara).
“deFINitely Downtown San Jose” (number #14 on the map) is sponsored by Comerica Bank also located downtown. “deFINitely Downtown San Jose” is located In front of Comerica Bank on Santa Clara street at Guadalupe Parkway.
Tour maps are available at the San Jose Museum of Art.
San Jose Museum of Art – Artists Showcase Event
(June 2001) The San Jose Museum of Art hosted the SharkByteArt artists showcase the evening of June 7th. I also attended and had a really nice time. I had submitted designs for this and acquired two sponsors for two of my designs!
The design “Loan Shark, is being sponsored by R&K Jewelers in Downtown, Jan Schneider of R&K and I worked on the design together! The other design submission titled “deFINitely Downtown San Jose” will be sponsored by Greg Belanger with Comerica Bank also located downtown.
Here are some photos from the sponsor/artist showcase event:
Conceptual Design Making the Mercury!
(May 2001) The San Jose Mercury News featured a fabulous news story on the SharkByte Art event that will be happening in Downtown San Jose, they also featured one of the design proposals that I created for this event!
The San Jose Mercury wrote:
“A design from San Jose artist Sonya Paz are among the concepts from which sponsors will select the sharks. The San Jose Museum of Art will hold an after-hours showing to consider the designs.” (May 2001)
Other “Way Cool” Press and News!
(July 2001) The ArtSiteGuide (on-line artists journal) wrote a really great article about this wonderful event in their August 2001 eZine issue. Special thanks to John Seed for the great article and wonderful opportunities!
Sonya Paz
10.03.01
