I am excited to feature Hana Lock and Jet Martinez in this issue, both artists I have admired for a while. Yes, Jet is not from the South Bay, but he is having a solo exhibition at MACLA this summer, thus providing us the opportunity to introduce you to his beautiful work. Hana is one of the many artists I have looked to feature over the last couple of years, but the timing was always off, so I am honored to have her featured in this issue.

Also, this annual focus on the fantastic art program at the West Valley Cilker School of Art and Design gives us a look into the life of Dr. John Ulloa, who is not only the dean of Language Arts and Social Science at West Valley College but also is a lowrider and musician—demonstrating the unique ways to balance a career and creativity in our region. As usual, our 71st issue presents diverse artistic talents, lives, and cultures, from fashion to theater, photography to DJing. My hope is for you to gain an appreciation for the people, cultures, and artistic practices featured in this issue, and that you learn to understand and respect their journeys so that we may, in turn, become a stronger, more civil society—the health of a nation (and the world) has been, and always will be, in our love for our neighbors.

Enjoy,
Daniel Garcia
THE CULTIVATOR

Issue 17.3 Features:
From the Cilker School of Art & Design, @wvccilkersoad: Natalie Pineda, Clyde Elloso, Griffin Hennessy | Designer – Ted Holladay | Artist – Natasha Kramskaya, @kramskaya_art | Artist – Hana Lock, @medama_dango | Artist & Muralist – Jet Martinez, @jetmar1 | Chef – Nicko Moulinos, @1_cooks_voyage Eos & Nyx, @eosnyxsj | Actor – Barton “Bart” Perry, @bperry323 | Music Producer & Artist – DJ RCADE, @madebyrcade | Photographer – Jacque Rupp, @jacquerupp | 2025 San Jose Creative Ambassadors, @sjculture: Julie Cardenas, @comidacomicsycafe Matt Casey, @more.mas.marami Jessica Gutierrez, @artnflowww Miguel Ozuna, @_miguelozuna and Steven ‘Nizzotes’ Rubalcaba, @nizzotes | Lowrider & Dean – Doctor John Ulloa, @lowride_x_worldwide | Comedian – Paula “PX Floro” Xaviera, @pxcomedy | Musician – Yvette Young, @yvetteyoung

Published by @svcreates