The Jennifer and Philip DiNapoli exhibit gallery, named after two prominent Silicon Valley philanthropists, is dedicated community space aimed at hosting educational, cultural, and thought-provoking art exhibits year-round for the San José State University and San José community.
We are not accepting new proposals for the Jennifer and Philip DiNapoli Gallery (Second Floor) at this time. Please stay tuned for updates on this page!
For information about the DiNapoli Exhibit Gallery, contact Mariah Ramsour, at mariah.ramsour@sjsu.edu.
Current Exhibits
Festival of Lanterns
April 1 – May 31, 2022 | AAACNA Studies Center (Fifth Floor)
Hosted by the Africana, Asian American, Chicano, and Native American (AAACNA) Studies Center
In celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, the “Festival of Lanterns” exhibit presents Chinese brush painting on colorful lanterns. In Chinese culture, lanterns play a big role in heralding the arrival of the Lunar New Year. It is widely believed that hanging lanterns brings good luck and prosperity.
The lanterns are created by the members of the Chan Lim Family of Artists. They are best-known for their Asian-themed art with a particular focus on Chinese brush painting. The family has been actively engaged in the arts for more than half a century to date. The three generations of the Chan Lim Family use a multitude of media, styles, and techniques to incorporate Western into Eastern art. Over the years, they have continuously pushed the envelope on the type of media used for the Chinese brush. Their art subjects have included traditional brush painting themes, such as flora, fauna, landscape, even portraits. These themes can be seen in most of the family’s art, as well as their students. The “Festival of Lanterns” exhibit is a continuity of the 21@2021 virtual lantern exhibit launched last year.
Moving Pictures: A History of Film and Television
February 15 – May 31, 2022 | Special Collections Reading Room (Fifth Floor)
Hosted by SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Since their inception, film and television have provided us with entertainment, allowed us to escape from our daily lives, and helped us better understand ourselves and others. "Moving Pictures: A History of Film and Television" showcases a wide array of SJSU Special Collections & Archives materials relating to film and television history in the United States. With an emphasis on the works done by marginalized groups, this exhibit explores themes such as Black entertainment, the impact of Latinx actors on the screen, and the works done by LGBTQ+ figures.
Unleashed
May 3 – June 2, 2022 | Jennifer & Philip DiNapoli Gallery (2nd Floor)
Artwork by Ronald Appleby
As a lifelong San Joséan, Ronald graduated from SJSU with a major in social science and then received a teaching credential in 1971. After 34 years with Lucky Stores and 13 years teaching high school level social sciences, he retired in 2014. His only art training was for two years at James Lick High School. He found collage gave him the opportunity to be daring with colors and patterns. His ‘palette’ consists of precut or pre-torn pieces from magazines, advertisements, cereal coupons, cigarette cartons, postage stamps, playing cards, and other materials. With a rough sketch underneath, cut and torn pieces are glued over the sketch.
With bold or unusual subject matter, color, and patterns, Ronald does not consider his pictures “nice,” “pretty,” or “cute.” He would rather hear comments such as “unusual,” “educational,” “satiric,” “weird,” “funny,” “controversial,” “entertaining,” or even “disturbing."
Coming soon!
East Side Dreams: The Untold Story of East San José
Coming July – September 2022
The San José Public Library, in collaboration with SJSU King Library's Africana, Asian American, Chicano, & Native American Studies Center, proudly presents "East Side Dreams: The Untold Story of East San José."
Through photographs, videos, and artifacts, "East Side Dreams" chronicles the people and events that shaped San José’s east side from the 1950s to the present. Community members, activists, and scholars will share their insights into east side history at two associated panel events.
Image Credit: Story and King mural painted by Teen Angel, date unknown. Historic Photo Collection, SJPL California Room
Virtual Exhibits
Explore an expansive archive of virtual exhibits you can browse on your desktop from anywhere!
Explore Virtually
Coming Soon
"Symbolism and Metaphors" – Artwork by Global Artists’ Creative Collaboration Empowerment
"Miracles" – Artwork by Tien Pham