Creekside Art Corridor
PUBLIC ART CURATION | 2025
Photo by Quynh-Mai Nguyen
Client: Jamestown LTD
Artists: Ricardo Cortez, Alyssarhaye Graciano + Francisco Graciano
The Creekside Art Corridor is a new creative space in Downtown San José that spans 9,000 square feet and celebrates the city’s stories through public art, culture, and connection.
Art Builds Community was brought on to curate temporary public artworks along the fencing line of “The Lot",” the main event site for the corridor, and The Landmark Lot, the corridors public parking lot
At The Lot, “Flora & Fauna” by father-daughter duo Alyssarhaye and Francisco Graciano—curated by honors San José’s natural beauty with steel silhouettes of native plants, birds, and the Guadalupe River.
The Landmark Lot, “408 Innovates” by Ricardo Cortez shines a light on San José’s past and future, blending history, storytelling, and technology in a visual journey that connects generations.
The Art Corridor is open to the public and waiting for you. Come take a stroll, explore the work, and experience the creative spirit that makes San José home.
“art can transform spaces while calling back to and celebrating local ecology and the beauty of nature”
- Alyssarhaye Graciano
This video is by Trisha Leeper
(Left to Right) Ricardo and Alyssarhaye Graciano. Photo by Trisha Leeper
FLora & Fauna
Artists: Alyssarhaye + Francisco Graciano
Location: The Lot, 140 S. Montgomery Street
“Our work is driven by a belief that art can transform spaces while calling back to and celebrating local ecology and the beauty of nature. By incorporating local flowers, animals, and themes related to the Guadalupe River trail into our design, we aim to accentuate the vibrancy of a natural environment that reflects the heart and soul of San José history. The design also tips its cap to the technological innovation of Silicon Valley through the juxtaposition of geometric shapes that represent the building blocks of the future
This design includes large silhouette cutouts of flowers, blades of grass, the creek (Guadalupe River), and birds. The transit lines in Creekside’s Identity Brief inspired winding lines of the creek silhouettes that mimicked both the transit lines and the Guadalupe River.
The design features flora native to the region at a larger-than-life scale: a seep monkey flower, the California aster, and the California fuchsia. While the valley has undergone incredible change over the last century, these plants still manage to grow strong in our parks and along our rivers.
“408innovates…reflects a collective need to see ourselves in the spaces that shape us—especially as the city changes and spaces evolve over time.”
- Ricardo Cortez
This video is by Trisha Leeper
Ricardo Cortez kneels next to his lowrider illustration, honoring 1978, the year that the lowrider made history in San Jose. Photo by Trisha Leeper
408 Innovates
Artist: Ricardo Cortez
Location: The Landmark Lot, 105 S. Montgomery Street
“408Innovates” is a series of statement artworks highlighting key milestones and rarely seen facts from San José’s history – from its agricultural roots to its technological achievements. The installation aims to bridge generations and foster appreciation for the city's evolution.”
"This artwork is inspired by the rich, multifaceted identity of San José," explained Ricardo Cortez. "I wanted to create an educational journey, using historical references to point viewers toward understanding our city's progression. We also plan to invite residents to contribute family photos, turning the fence into a living reflection of our shared identity."
Hidden along the creek cutouts of 408Innovates at The Landmark Lot is a nod to San Jose. Tag us at @artbuildscommunity and let us know if you can find it!
Each piece will link to an online resource (408INNOVATES.COM) for deeper exploration
These collection of photos are by Trisha Leeper and Quynh-Mai Nguyen
