For Immediate Release – June 11, 2013
Media Contact:  Christine Marie
408-378-5000
 

June 11, 2013 – Sonya Paz, an influential San Jose artist, will paint an Art Box in San Jose, beginning on Monday, June 17. Sonya will paint the utility/power box on the corner of The Alameda at Newhall in San Jose. Sonya is planning to be on site at this location from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday, June 17 through Wednesday, June 19.

For the past two years, more than 40 utility boxes have been transformed into Art Boxes in and around San Jose by local artists. In 2011, the first Art Box was completed at the corner of The Alameda and Julian Street. Tina Morrill, a local community activist, is the Founder behind this project.

“How wonderful to have artists, such as Sonya Paz, involved in The Art Box Project, which brings the artist world and community world together for our collective benefit, said Tina Morrill, founder and managing director of The Art Box Project. ” had the opportunity to visit Sonya’s gallery, and I am thrilled that her vibrant and colorful works will grace the corner of The Alameda at Newhall here in San Jose.”

This particular Art Box is being sponsored by a local family, who has lived in the Newhall neighborhood since 1999.  “We love the art boxes around town and wanted to bring one to our neighborhood,” said Anne Ehresman and Kip Harkness. “We also thought it would be a great learning opportunity for our 13-year- old daughter to see how public art happens.”

Mobilia Orange Trio

This family selected Sonya to be the artist of choice because “we love Sonya’s work and wanted an artist who has a connection with our neighborhood to complete the project,” said Ehresman and Harkness.  “We hope people will experience joy and see the beauty when they pass by this Art Box “maybe it will inspire them to create their own art.”

Last year, Sonya was approached by the Ehresman/ Harkness family to be the artist for this project. “Not only do I live in this area but the community here is amazing,” said Paz. “I am a firm believer that when you give back to your community, it’s good for your soul.”

Individuals and families who live in the Newhall neighborhood, along with the media, are invited to visit with Sonya while she is on site painting the Art Box next week.

“I have known about the Art Boxes for some time and thought it was a fabulous idea,” said Paz. “I love public art in our cities and towns created by local artists. I was involved with the Sharkbyte Art event back in 2001 when I was sponsored to create two of the sharks that were on display throughout downtown San Jose”. More photos here by Chris Utter.
View Sal Pizarro’s Column in the Sunday, June 16, 2013 Mercury News:

Throughout the last 10 years, Sonya has been involved in many public art projects. She created event artwork for posters and events, including the San Jose Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in 2006 and 2007, the street banners for the Downtown Campbell branding project in 2008, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, the Sausalito Art Festival, and the Livermore Wine Valley Harvest Festivals. Sonya was also nominated in 2007 as one of the Most Influential Latino for Arts and Culture from San Jose Magazine

About Sonya Paz
Sonya’s paintings and vivid images are a reflection of her true native California roots and her passion for life. This expression and creative attitude represent her optimistic view of the world. Her works are inspired by cubist style elements and the Pop Art movement. Seasoned by traveling the world to study art and its history, Sonya has a passion for Modern Art, Pop Art, Cubism, and Surrealism. These influences can be seen in her work, where traditional styles compete with modernized pop art imagery fancied over the past 30 years.

Sonya’s art has been exhibited at many venues, including wine labels for elSol Vineyards, Effusion Gallery and at ArtExpo International in New York. She is represented by many galleries in the United States, The Effusion Gallery in South Beach Miami; PoP Gallery at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida; Pop Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico; HoyPoloi Gallery in Chicago; HayStack Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon; the Chicago O’Hare Airport; and two Discover San Jose shops in the Mineta San Jose International Airport.

Sonya Paz

Sonya has established a solid private and corporate clientele. Her works of art have been acquired by many collectors throughout the United States and can be found in collections worldwide. She has her own exclusive studio and showroom which is accessible by appointment in San Jose.
For more information about Sonya’s artwork, please visit: www.sonyapaz.com and follow her on Facebook located at: https://www.facebook.com/sonyapazgallery

To see other Art Boxes in the Bay Area, visit the official page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Box-Project-SJ/138751916190793