10 years ago I started looking for a building…Where I could start my first art gallery in my hometown of San Jose, CaliforniaAfter years of getting in trouble for painting the streets…I thought it was finally time to do things legit…And start giving back to the community of artists I have gotten to know throughout the yearsWe found an old meat factory warehouse on the edge of Japan TownThe address was 7th Street and Empire…We started renting itIt took about a year and half to fix up the place…But here is where Empire Seven Studios was born…My dream of finally owning and running an art gallery was realizedThe landlord gave us a verbal agreement that we could stay there for 10 years…In those 10 years we’ve had at least one show every month…Featuring local…And up and coming artists from all over the world.We gave many artists their first art show everAnd we are proud to have been able to support our local creative community as much as we have…We’ve had over 100 unique art shows since we opened Empire Seven Studios...(Story continued below show photos)Anniversary Show (group show)Natural Selection (group show)A Dream Deferred - Ben AlexyJim Phillips 30th Anniversary Screaming Hand ShowEx Post Facto - Francisco GracianoBeware Yokai Show (group show)Hippocampus Wallpaper - Colin Frangicetto and Drew RouletteHoritomo (State of Grace) and Christopher Brand (UGLARworks)Roan Victor, Sean Boyles, Carlos AraujoBeware Yokai (group show)HandMade (group show)We Are Robots - Paco ExcelAngela Fox, Ariel Wilson, Bunnie Reiss, and Lacey BryantAngela FoxImpermanent Collection -Neto SozaWe Are Robots - Paco ExcelWhen Times Converge - Greg Ito and Sarah EdwardsArchetype$ - Spencer Keeton Cunningham, Erlin Geffrard, Jacque FraguaJaque Fragua, Spencer Keeton Cunningham, Erlin Geffrard installation videoRoan Victor of The ArsenalRemember to Remember - Beau RouletteJoe and Laura MillerQuest for Pureland - Bigfoot one and Chip 7(Story continued...),,,And we are grateful for all that have come out to enjoy the art.Giving artists a place to show their latest work has been an incredible experience…And has led to some amazing projects…Like The San Jose Mural Project that we started(AKA..)The San Jose Mural Project gets local and international artists…To paint huge murals on local businesses…To help bring new life and attention…To the vibrant creative community here in San JoseThe murals have helped businesses growAnd a mural tour has made San Jose a destination for art lovers to come visit...NosegoJaque Fragua and Spencer Keeton CunninghamSam RodriguezSam Rodriguez and PoesiaJohn BarrickMesngrAbel GonzalesAndrew Schoultz(Story continued...)Our art shows and mural projects are our babies…However sadly…we have recently been asked to leave our current location…because the landlord is selling the property to real estate developers…These developers plan on turning our art gallery into Luxury ApartmentsWe tried to fight it but there’s nothing we can do to stay at the building we spent 10 years creatingThe day after I heard the news I was feeling pretty sad…And I can’t lieI was ready to give upThen a friend came by to discuss what would happen next for Empire Seven Studios…He asked me to imagine…If I had all the money in the world, where would I want to build a new EmpireSeven Studios Art Gallery?Right away I thought of a space in the heart of Japan TownThen he said, okay let’s do a Gofundme and make it happenWe started writing down everything we needed and began working on a campaign…While waiting to get a video made to go along with the fundraiser…We found out that an old historic building in our ideal location was available to buyThe building use to be called The Dragon clubIt's a block and half away from our current locationAnd it's closer to the heart of Japan townThis means it will be easier for people to visit our art galleryOur plan is to build a four story art studio spaceThe main floor will be the art galleryThe bottom floor will be a studio for artists to practice and record musicAnd the top floor will be artist residencesThe artist residences will give visiting artists a place to stay while working on their latest projectsIf we can afford it...We would also like to add a dark room for photographyAnd a ceramic studio where artists can work with clayHowever we hope to cut costs by using contractors and designers we have met throughout the years...We think we can create the building for $1,500,000Now is our chance to own our own building so we never have to worry about getting kicked out againThis way we can keep giving the public free art shows...In a more central location...And encourage artists to stay and create in San Jose…We would like to start building sooner so we can to limit the delay of upcoming art shows as much as possible$10 and $50,000 donations are equally appreciatedThank you for showing your support of Empire Seven Studios throughout the years...And we look forward to sharing many more art shows in the futureJuan Carlos Araujo and Jennifer Ahnof Empire Seven StudiosSome friends interviewed a few local artists to find out what Empire Seven Studios means to them...Here are theThe building and land parcel - $650,000Designer - $50,000Architectural Plans for Permit - $60,000Structural Plans For Permit - $40,000Civil Engineering Plans - $25,000Materials - $600,000Contractors - $200,000Cad Artist - $15,000Permit costs - $100,000Dependent Upon Area FactorsGofundme allows $50,000 max for a single donation however if you would like to donate more there are two things you can do:1. You can donate $50,000 multiple timesOr2. You can contact [email redacted]



Our story was featured on KTVU FOX 2!!!