The 2026 Creative Ambassadors represent a range of artistic disciplines and share a deep commitment to San Jose's cultural community. The Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the selection of the following artists as 2026 Creative Ambassadors:

LOS PAnADEROS

Los Panaderos is a collective led by sisters Sharon and Tanya Benítez, dedicated to preserving and reimagining Mexican folk traditions through dance, music, and community gatherings. Specializing in son jarocho, son huasteco, and son mariachero, their performances and educational programs highlight the cultural histories of Mexico, California, and beyond. Sharon, a dancer, musician, and anthropologist with an MA in Dance Anthropology, researches the Mexican diaspora in California and Europe, while Tanya, a multi-instrumentalist and Artistic Director of Casita de las Artes, has performed internationally at renowned venues such as Lincoln Center and Jacob’s Pillow. Their Creative Expression Project, Fandango For All: Tradición Viva, Comunidad Unida, is a year-long series of five bilingual community fandangos that blend music, dance, and storytelling to celebrate cultural exchange. These inclusive gatherings foster intergenerational learning and collective creativity, centering Latine and multilingual communities across San José. This project is fiscally sponsored by MACLA. Follow in Instagram @los_panaderos.

Jorge Camacho (J.Duh)

 

 Jorge Camacho (J.Duh) is a designer, and art director whose work fuses traditional sign painting, retro cartoon aesthetics, and skate culture with a deep sense of civic pride. His multidisciplinary practice spans murals, sculpture, installation, and graphic design, with clients ranging from local small businesses to major organizations like Yahoo! and the San Jose Sharks. As Creative Director for San José Day, he leads cultural programming that uplifts local voices and celebrates the city’s creative identity. His Creative Expression Project, Pop-Up Box, transforms a U-Haul truck into a mobile art gallery that brings rotating exhibitions of local artists directly into neighborhoods—schools, parks, retirement homes, and block parties. Each pop-up invites community members to create art on-site, often accompanied by local DJs and musicians. Through this interactive, accessible platform, Camacho reimagines public art engagement, fostering creativity, connection, and pride across San José’s diverse communities.  This project is fiscally sponsored by Spark Community Productions. Follow on Instagram @J.Duh.

Tricia Creason-Valencia

Tricia Creason-Valencia is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, educator, and community builder whose work harnesses storytelling as a tool for healing, empowerment, and social change. A San José–based artist with over two decades of experience, she blends documentary filmmaking, photography, and collage to explore identity, resilience, and the creative lives of women+. As Co-Founder of PowerHouse—a co-working and media production studio for women and gender-diverse creatives—Tricia fosters spaces where underrepresented voices thrive. Her award-winning films, including Stable Life (Cinequest Best Documentary), have screened internationally and on public television. Her Creative Expression Project, I Am / We Are: Our Stories Connect Us, is a series of workshops uniting poetry, photography, collage, and audio storytelling to promote self-expression and collective healing. Anchored at PowerHouse, the project culminates in a public showcase that amplifies participants’ stories, transforming individual reflection into shared empowerment across San José’s creative community. This project is fiscally sponsored by Local Color. Follow on Instagram @flacafilms.

About the Creative Ambassadors

The 2026 Creative Ambassadors were selected through a competitive panel review process that considers applicants' artistic track records and histories of community engagement work. Emphasis was also placed on artists that are deeply rooted within San Jose's diverse cultural communities. Practicing artists of all disciplines were invited to apply.

In addition to producing a creative project involving the community, the Ambassadors' scope of work includes promoting creative expression through social media, participating in interviews, and helping to promote and participate in the WeCreate408 campaign (wecreate408.org). WeCreate408 is the Office of Cultural Affairs' month-long creativity challenge, currently scheduled for April 2026. By working with the ambassadors to tailor the messaging around the power of creative expression to their networks, the goal is for San Jose residents to elevate their creativity and celebrate its role in their everyday lives. In doing so, residents will experience the arts as a vital means of connecting to themselves and others. To stay on top of how you can connect with the Creative Ambassadors follow us on Instagram @sjculture.