Media Advisory: “Hometown Heroes” Exhibition Celebrates Art Activations and Installations Connected to 2026 Major Sports Events

Post Date:01/16/2026 9:30 AM
Media Contact
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager, Office of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs
408-535-8168; carlos.velazquez@sanjoseca.gov

Advisory Detail
 What: A celebration event for Hometown Heroes, a three-part exhibition featuring murals, photographs, and selected historic images, with highlights of upcoming 2026 San José-based art activations and installations coinciding with the major sporting events coming to the South Bay.
 When: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Remarks at 6:00 p.m.

Registration and additional information for this free event: bit.ly/SJHometownHeroes.
 Where: San José City Hall
Council Wing Rooms 118-120
200 E. Santa Clara Street

Free parking is available at the San José City Hall 6th Street Parking Garage. Entrance via 6th Street. Bring your ticket to the event for parking validation.
 Who:
  • Mayor Matt Mahan, City of San José
  • Jennifer Maguire, City Manager, City of San José
  • Participating artists and organizations
 Background: This event is hosted by the City of San José’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.

Hometown Heroes exhibitions include:

The Community in Motion: Showcases 44 sports-related photographs submitted by 25 San José photographers — both professional and amateur — along with other media highlighting different aspects of sports in San José. Presented in digital format, the images are featured on display monitors found throughout City Hall.

Larger than Life: Four large-scale temporary murals by local artists Emilio Cortez, Elba Raquel, Sam Rodriguez, and Alyssa Wigant at the Galleria Niches in the Council Wing Building.

Through the Lens of Arnold Del Carlo: A selection of black and white photographs taken by local photographer Arnold Del Carlo. Presented in partnership with the Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History, an Organized Research Unit of the History Department, San José State University, the images capture the athletic programs offered at San Jose State College in the decades following WWII.

Upcoming 2026 Art Activations and Installations:

Elizabeth Turk, ET Projects, Invisible Skies public art performance event at the San José City Hall Plaza.

Brooke Einbender, Mindbender Studio, Gaiascope installation at Circle of Palms in Downtown San José.

Temporary public art activations presented in partnership with San José State University.

For more information, visit the 2026 Major Events & Art Projects page at www.sanjoseculture.org.

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