Established in 2008, Empire Seven Studios (E7S), is an urban contemporary art gallery and creative studio located in just outside the Japantown neighborhood of San Jose, California. E7S has been advocating for local/global artists by creating opportunities and providing a safe space for creatives.

E7S has enhanced the San Jose art scene by bringing life to the city through public art installations, innovative pop-up shows, and gallery exhibits to elevate and highlight emerging talents on a grand scale.

In 2013, E7S took art into public places. The vision is for artists to participate in a community revitalization and beautification process that creates an awareness and a artistic presence in the city's neighborhoods. The development of public art installations enhanced Japantown's presence as a prolific arts district and destination. The Japantown Art Walk is a result of a unique vision which has greatly contributed to the successful development of mural projects expanding and reaching into the surrounding neighborhoods.

In 2017, E7S founded SJ Walls, Northern California’s branch of the Worldwide Walls network of public art festivals happening in over 20 cities around the world. E7S specializes in public art development and can facilitate public and private community partnerships as a catalyst for local economic development and a tailored client curatorial experience. Supporting public art initiatives not only builds confidence in our local talent, it also demonstrates experience with future clients who are exposed to new contemporary artwork with the upmost freedom to visual expression creating opportunities to hire artists for various creative work. The murals have also increased customer traffic for many of the businesses and has helped to create an arts hub identity for many parts of San Jose.

As an art production firm, E7S provides end-to-end project management and operations support for a variety of services including mural production, multi-dimensional mixed media work, digital/analog onsite immersive experiences, and in person/virtual events that foster team building and community connection.

TEAM:

Juan Carlos Araujo, Director/Consultant/Curator

San Jose-native and painter who grew up doing graffiti, Juan Carlos established Empire Seven Studios over 12 years ago and has been advocating for local/global artists by creating opportunities and providing a place to elevate and highlight emerging talents on a grand scale. Wearing various hats, Juan Carlos is a independent business owner, curator, served as District 3's Art Commission/Chair for the City of San Jose for the past 3 years.

Jennifer Ahn, Gallery Manager/Administative/Curator

Originally from Chicago, Jennifer moved to California in the late 80’s. Graduated from SJSU with a BFA in Photography/minor in Graphic Design and loves everything art. Co-curator and gallery manager for Empire Seven Studios, Jennifer provides much of those same skill sets of curation, planning and administrative/logistics support for San Jose Walls.

Stacey Kellogg, Business Development/ Project Management

An attorney and program manager by trade but an art lover and community builder by heart. Stacey focuses on strategic partnership development and social impact for San Jose Walls. Born and raised in San Jose, she is passionate about creating a legacy of impactful public art in her hometown.