Tag Archives: San Jose State University

Dream On

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I’m back in studio after spending most of this past week in the Bay Area. I did several rounds of outreach talks and presentations at San Jose State University, discussing sf/f art, career paths, The Mexicanx Initiative, Worldcon 76, and more. The kids were passionate and amazing. SJSU has an incredible Mexican-American Studies program and cultural heritage emphasis, and last year when I was asked to be Worldcon’s Artist Guest of Honor, I knew I wanted to reach out to this university because of their excellence in those departments. SJSU is also located within a few minutes’ walk from the site of this year’s Worldcon. As expected, there was a fantastic range of racial diversity, but I was especially glad to see so many DREAMers and Mexicanx in the audiences. I hope to see them again when they attend their first Worldcon and first Hugo Awards Ceremony this August.

Thank you to Kathryn Blackmer Reyes, Vanessa Fernández, Julia Curry, Andrew Blanton, Lily Pinedo Gangai, Marcos Pizarro, Sonja Daniels, Bonnie Sugiyama, and everyone who made my visit possible. Kathryn did incredible work, championing and arranging this endeavor. It would not have happened without her leadership. And again — MUCHAS GRACIAS to all of the students who were so incredible all week long.

After the SJSU appearances, I did a Loteria Game Night and Poster Signing at Borderlands Books in San Francisco. Thank you to everyone who came to play on a rainy night, and especially to Alan Beatts and Jude Feldman for hosting. I know many of the friends that night will be attending Worldcon this summer and I can’t wait to see them again.

California Dreaming

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I’ll be in the Bay Area this month — talking art, process, Game of Thrones, Loteria, The Mexicanx Initiative, World Science Fiction Convention, and how to live the life you most want. Here’s where you can find me.

WEDNESDAY • MARCH 14TH

Daytime: Student-Only Appearances at San Jose State University

5:30pm at San Jose State University: “The Art of John Picacio” — a FREE, open-to-the-public slideshow lecture about my science fiction/fantasy art career, featuring working process of my book cover artworks and product illustrations for properties such as Star Trek, the X-Men, and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, plus my own reimagining of the classic Loteria cards. There will be Q+A, as well as a short reception immediately after. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library • Room 225)

ALSO: Heads up, Mexicanx (people of Mexican American heritage or Mexican citizens)! If you’re a fan of science fiction / fantasy literature or art, or aspiring sf/f professional, and have always wanted to attend a World Science Fiction Convention, let me know why you should come to Worldcon in San Jose and you might just get sponsored for a free Attending Membership ($230 value) to this summer’s convention, courtesy of The Mexicanx Initiative. Offer open to SJSU students and faculty. Drop a comment below, if interested.

THURSDAY • MARCH 15TH

Daytime: Student-Only Appearances at San Jose State University

7pm at San Francisco’s Borderlands Books: LOTERIA GAME NIGHT + POSTER SIGNING — Come win fantastic prizes! I’ll be hosting several rounds of Loteria, the popular Mexican game of chance (AKA ‘Mexican Bingo’). It’s free, fast-paced and easy to play. Open to the public. I’ll also be signing my limited-run Loteria Grande Art Cards and Posters while supplies last!

See you soon, Northern California!