As we enter our ninth year, we embark with our traditional focus of discovering some new or unfamiliar aspect of our region: like the recently opened specialty ice company that is providing clear cubes for craft cocktails or the newly developed program from the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs which has commissioned four local artists as ambassadors to spark creativity and reach out to the community through some special art projects.

In addition, I am excited to add a couple of new features to our magazine. Though we will continue to focus on profiles—and telling the stories of our creative people—we are adding a few pieces intended to educate. The first piece highlights our partnership with SPUR in which we will present their reports and studies on Bay Area planning and development. Our hope is that you will continue to explore the great work they are doing to help our communities be mindful and responsible in the future planning of our cities and neighborhoods. The second new feature, a series on Branding in partnership with Duchesne Communications, is intended to help us think through and build our entrepreneurial projects—whether it be for a product or as an artist—and to develop some tools in ways that can help us grow our voice and enhance our effectiveness.

Lastly, it is always an honor to feature locals, and without the support of you, the subscriber, it would not be possible to pay the writers, editors, photographers, and designers that sustain the creative production of Content and our mission to be a catalyst for our art and design ecosystem. Thank you!

Enjoy.

Daniel Garcia

THE CULTIVATOR