San Jose-born fiber textile artist Alyssarhaye Graciano has stitched herself into the heart of the city’s creative ecosystem. As curator for MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana) in the SoFA District, she balances her own textile practice with the responsibility of shepherding new artistic voices into the public eye. Her creative reach also extends beyond the gallery walls: She’s the author of Chunky Knits: Cozy Hats, Scarves and More Made Simple with Extra-Large Yarn, a book that champions accessibility in knitting.

At MACLA, Graciano continues the organization’s legacy of elevating Latino artists, helping them connect with audiences across the Bay Area. “At MACLA, we pay artists when they’re exhibiting their work or if they’re doing some sort of program or workshop because we believe in trying to create a sustainable art career,” said Graciano.

Graciano’s vision threads together art, access, and belonging in the SoFA district as well as the community at large. “I would like to see more folks being able to stay in San Jose, being able to afford to stay as creatives, as artists, and [see] how we can all give back to the community that helped raise us,” said Graciano.  

Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA)
510 S. 1st Street
(408) 998-2783
maclaarte.org
IG: macla_sanjose

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