Christmas in the Park x Local Color

Long-standing San José institution, Christmas in the Park, worked with Local Color to install four fresh murals on the perimeter of Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Artists Francisco Ramirez, John Barrick, Alyssa Wigant, and Alyssarhaye Graciano were invited to express their perspectives around the season with their artwork. These new murals will be a lasting part of Christmas in the Park for years to come. The full murals can be viewed on the corner of Market and San Carlos St near the Quetzalcoatl statue.

Thank you to the dedicated staff and volunteers at Christmas in the Park and photographer, Alexknowbody!

  • Francisco Ramirez

    THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

    Francisco Ramirez is a self taught muralist, painter, and visual artist from Mexico City who was raised in the East Side part of San Jose. Since 2016 he’s been a full time freelance artist and believes in the importance of highlighting history and people of the area, with the intention of showing gratitude and humility. “The Joy of Christmas” is a reminder of the happiness that a Christmas can bring to a child and the importance of toy drives.

  • John Barrick

    NOEL

    John Barrick is a full time muralist, signwriter, and fine artist. Born and raised in San Jose California, John draws inspiration from the pure beauty in nature to scrawled graffiti in public restrooms and everything in between. “Noel” is a piece which is inspired from holiday painted window splashes to promote businesses. It is lively and energetic with the hopes of drawing attention to the viewer just as a holiday window painting attracts customers to a storefront. All in all, it is supposed to be fun and full of life, just how all art should be in the eyes of the artist. Merry Christmas!!!

  • Alyssa Wigant

    MALIGAYANG PASKO

    Meaning “Merry Christmas” in Tagalog, Maligayang Pasko is a nod to the vibrance of Philippine Christmas traditions across the Filipino diaspora, featuring various parol (Philippine ornamental lanterns) designs and star imagery to celebrate the holiday season. Currently, Alyssa is an interactive designer at Apple by day, and a lettering artist and illustrator by night. Known for her dynamic and whimsical typographic illustrations and murals around San Jose, she merges pixel-perfect details with free-flowing artistry to always create something out of the ordinary.

  • Alyssarhaye Graciano

    MAGANDANG GABI MGA BITUIN (Goodnight Stars)

    Alyssarhaye Graciano is a trilingual fiber artist. Born and raised in San Jose, she honors her Mexican and Filipino heritage through her art. While she mainly knits and crochets, painting, sewing, macramé and weaving are also part of her arts practice. The mural Magandang Gabi Mga Bituin (Goodnight Stars) is a nod to her Filipino half. The parols signify hope, light, and overcoming darkness. This mural was painted with the help of her father, Francisco. Today Alyssarhaye works as the Visual Arts Curator at MACLA in San Jose, CA while continuing her own arts practice through pattern design, workshops, and exhibitions.