Hector Gonzalez:
Contact: hegotistic@yahoo.com
Website: hegotistic.tripod.com

Works at Silicon Valley Debug

Samuel Rodriguez:
Contact: smigity@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.shortyfatz.com http://www.siliconvalleydebug.com

Samuel Rodriguez, is a twenty-three year old artist from East San Jose. He works as an illustrator/writer with Silicon Valley De-Bug. Through his time with De-Bug he's been able to develope his drawing and painting skills, but more importantly translate an idea or subject from words to pictorial representation. In his body of work he articulates the everyday experiences of his life along with other unheard voices around his community. Having the opportunity to be in a space to describe and theorize about the world around him has been very transformational. The amount of confidence and mental growth that the artist has gained through De-Bug in the past three years is a testimony of the power there is when everyday folks are given a platform to reflect on their lives. This form of education allows people to create their own history instead of being dictated by it.

Mat Schwarzman:
Contact: info@buildingthecode.org
Website: http://www.buildingthecode.org

Contact at Building the Code

Christine Wong:
Contact: info@christinewong.org
Website: http://www.christinewong.org

Christine Wong Yap, née Christine Wong, is a painter and printmaker. Her work – including mixed media paintings, woodcut prints and murals – has been exhibited locally and nationally.

A graphic designer and illustrator, Christine specializes in print communications for non-profit organizations. Past clients have included organizations local and national, large and small (see the client list for more info). Her professional practices are grounded in popular education and ethical standards of fairness and good communication.

Born in Santa Rosa, CA, Christine became involved with community arts as a zinester (grassroots publisher) in high school and later as an apprentice to an internationally recognized muralist. In the past six years, she has lead 20 mural projects around the country. She has also contributed art to several publications, including the cover of "Global Lockdown: Race, Gender and the Prison-Industrial Complex" (Taylor & Francis, 2005). She holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree with High Distinction from the California College of Arts. She has been recognized with a San Francisco Bay Guardian Local Hero Award, an Active Element grant for art activism and the Women of Color Resource Center's Sister of Fire Award for her "exemplary leadership... in the arts." In 2003, Christine’s “proven, demonstrated ability to work with youth” has garnered her a position as an Online Mentor for the California Arts Council.

Currently, Christine is working full time serving community-based organizations. She lives and works in Oakland, CA, and paints in a studio in Emeryville