As you read these stories, we hope you will find the themes in their discovery process that will refine your life journey as you marry contemplation with curiosity. We do desire to expose you to new artists, new works, and new experiences, not merely for entrainment but also for your enrichment. We want you to discover a way to connect, engage, and to support your journey and the journey of those presented. Here’s to the curious, to the adventurous, to the seeker—may you discover.

Usually, our annual “Profiles” issue is 35-plus local creatives with shorter interviews. I adopted this style a few years ago because, even after publishing for over six years, there continued to be many people I wanted to feature but just didn’t have space for in our regular issue schedule. So, the “Profiles” issue was developed to allow more artists to be featured. However, this year is different. That is the understatement of the decade—2020 is a different year.  But I wanted to show the artwork that people were creating during the COVID-19 “shelter-in-place” order. Hence, instead of 45 people, we have 10 creatives and space for the new work they have created since March. With over 90 submissions, it was challenging to pick only 11. For multimedia, audio, and video work, we decided to plan a web/digital presentation for those artists, which will do more justice to their work than a print version would. And a few of the artists we have moved to feature in a future issue. Thank you to all the artists who submitted; it is an honor to present your work.

“Perform” is our annual issue featuring people “performing,” either in a literal sense, such as a model, an actor, or musicians, or in a more figurative way, those recognized for what they have been doing in their craft and the community, such as the SVArts Award recipients. These creatives have demonstrated both a level of community engagement and a level of mastery in their field. Also, we highlight the work of students in San Jose State’s fashion photography 125 class, who managed to do creative work during the shelter-in-place order.

As this issue goes to print, we are starting the second week of the COVID-19 “shelter-in-place” order. This is no doubt a historic moment; the impact of this disease will extend from the lives that are lost, to the livelihoods it will take. Though we may or may not contract the virus, we as an organization and the people we’ve featured over the last nine years are some of the hardest-hit populations. Small businesses, arts organizations, and independent artists will struggle to hang on over the next few months. Hence, our greatest mission: to support locals. To connect community. We hope you will not only be inspired by the people of this particular issue, but look back to the archives and find the creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs bringing vibrancy to the Silicon Valley. Let’s all join together; and then, we can all move forward. We pray you and yours are safe and well. Thank you, Daniel Garcia THE CULTIVATOR

Though we are in Silicon Valley, our primary focus is not technology. Even so, in our day and age, it would be difficult to think of artistic experiences that don’t intersect with technologies. In this issue, we look at some creative ways tech can amplify art: from the interactive iPad audio/visual digital guide tour of Picasso’s work to the 3D print, laser-cutting maker-space of Idea Fab Labs. These demonstrate how the digital age provides new ways to display, engage, and create. In addition, the emerging AI/VR tools are opening up new ways to share and view stories. It’s exciting to have Cinequest right here in our backyard as they look for ways to embrace these innovative platforms. Yes, there can be a scary side to the computer and the “internet-of-every-thing” world we are in. But the journey for authentic expression will continue to find ways of challenging and inspiring culture, no matter what the DEVICE. Enjoy. Daniel Garcia THE CULTIVATOR

Underneath the facade of pedantic social-media-influencer-culture, there are riches, treasures of connection, meaning, and creativity. But just like all great discoveries, a little digging, a little effort is required. Content is here to assist you in your excavation. And I think you will dig what is in this issue. If there is one thing I have learned through my years and experience, it is that whether you are in the South Bay or the world at large, in life, if you seek, you will Discover. Enjoy. Daniel Garcia THE CULTIVATOR

It shouldn’t surprise me that we could have titled this issue “Team” rather than “Dine.” Food and dining are intrinsically tied to relationships. And this being one of the most expensive regions in the world, partnerships have become an effective way to make an entrepreneurial dream a reality. We didn’t realize that these food-based features were all cofounded endeavors. This unplanned discovery amplifies our intentions of having a “dining” theme for our “Holiday Issue” as food sets the backdrop for community. These stories beautifully illustrate that connection. 

Too often, people fall in line to unconscious standards that are subtly promoted by the subgroup they follow. They dismiss others based on unspoken ethos and close the door on artists and genres not “accepted” in that tribe. The mission of Content Magazine/SVCreates is to bridge that divide; we provide a platform for all spectrums of our community to be represented. As the reader of this profiles magazine, you will not get just “high society pages” or just underground culture. We believe the beauty of community is in the nuances of diversity. I hope that the individuals we have in this issue challenge you to learn and appreciate people who may not fit into your typical circle. Whether that is “traditional” or “alternative,” either way, you will be – I believe – enriched by learning about the people who are creating and making that might not be in your original style or preference. May you grow in valuing all those that are around you as you read these Profiles. Enjoy. Daniel Garcia The Cultivator

In this issue, we introduce you to a few locals who have been putting in the time to develop their craft, performing their daily task and rituals. Also in this issue, we celebrate the SVCreates 2019 Laureates. These are Santa Clara County artists who have been recognized by the creative community as those who have demonstrated influence, mastery, or growth in their creative practices. With that, we are excited to announce the Content Emerging Artist Award to Jarvis Subia. Congratulations to all the SVArts recipients. Enjoy. Daniel Garcia THE CULTIVATOR

This Device issue, as I mention on the preceding page, was shot entirely on the Google Pixel 3 XL Phone. What better way to focus on tech in Silicon Valley than to use a new gadget for an issue devoted to emerging innovation? I like to balance the gadgetry and digital world with the tangible and analog, especially since I would not consider myself a techie—even though I was raised here in the valley of innovation. Hence, in this edition, we feature Bay Area creators who combine the two worlds, such as strawberry farmers, painters, and a trivia quiz leader. Technology not only affects what and how they do their work—like running the music and quiz questions from an iPhone or using DNA sequencers on a strawberry farm—but, inversely, the pioneers of the tech industry are both creators of art and the valley’s patrons of the arts. Here is a small look into our region’s art and tech, all captured through the len of a Silicon Valley emerging Device. Enjoy. Daniel Garcia THE CULTIVATOR