Local Color reached out to roughly 700 artists about using the space and more than 100 attended two preview events,\u00a0Executive Director Erin Salazar<\/a> said.The nonprofit is reviewing interest from prospective tenants and expects to begin moving artists into studios Aug. 1.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are committed to opening responsibly and safely, but not perfectly,\u201d Salazar told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cArtists need these spaces now.\u201d<\/p>\n Local Color\u2019s relationship with Westbank predates the Big Arts Building. The developer also owns the Valley Title building at 300 S. First St., where Local Color operates The Underground, a roughly 20,000-square-foot creative space. Salazar said the organizations first connected through Local Color\u2019s work on the 100 Block mural project<\/a> downtown. Westbank representatives did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n The Big Arts Building will offer something different. Its ground-floor location provides natural light and allows Local Color to occasionally bring public programming into the space, Salazar said. The space is expected to have roughly 12 to 14 individual office and art studios<\/a>, giving artists secure places to store equipment, materials and supplies.<\/p>\n San Jose artist Elba Raquel<\/a> attended a July 10 tour of the space and has applied for one of the studios. She said her first impression was how different the building felt from some of the artist workspaces she has experienced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m used to having art studio spaces being very dingy, no insulation, fungus, hotter than it is outside or colder than it is outside,\u201d Raquel told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cMy first impression was, \u2018This is humane for the artists.\u2019 You can tell that this is a space where the artist\u2019s comfort is valued.\u201d<\/p>\n Raquel said standout features include air conditioning, storage and dedicated spaces for privacy and collaboration.<\/p>\n Access to the building is another draw for Raquel. As a muralist and event producer, she frequently transports large paintings, paint and other materials. She said the building\u2019s proximity to downtown, combined with parking access, makes it more practical than other studio options she has considered.<\/p>\n Local Color began its search for tenants by contacting artists already on its existing studio waitlist and working with other arts groups to spread the word. Salazar said roughly 40 people expressed interest following the first tour of the space.<\/p>\n Beyond studio space, the building will house a mural gallery, which Salazar said is one part of the project she\u2019s most excited about. Artists are expected to begin painting murals inside during Saturday\u2019s celebration.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the first time, we\u2019re going to be bringing murals \u2014 a whole gallery that\u2019s dedicated to muralism,\u201d Salazar said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be an opportunity to give some artists their first mural experience. San Jose has really never had a whole gallery that\u2019s dedicated to muralism, so to me, that\u2019s something that feels very innovative and interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n The building will also include the Creative Outlet, a donation hub where unused art supplies can be collected and redistributed to artists, educators and young people or used during workshops. Salazar said the program is supported through a zero-waste grant from San Jose\u2019s Environmental Services Department.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bigartsartsupplydonations-1024x576.jpg\")
Donated art supplies are displayed at Local Color\u2019s Big Arts Building in San Jose. The nonprofit\u2019s Creative Outlet will redistribute donated materials to artists, educators and youth. Photo by Maryanne Casas-Perez.<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/interactive-321838904008.png\")
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