Through a competitive selection process using an independent panel, SVCREATES has selected the following artists as the region's outstanding emerging artists based on the quality of their work, their commitment to developing their craft, and their service to enriching the local community through teaching, volunteering, and service on boards, committees, commissions, and panels.
- Content Emerging Artist: Dan Fenstermacher
Dan Fenstermacher is a photographer, professor, and West Valley College photography program chair. His compositions are rooted in detail and use juxtaposition to reveal reality at the core of often misunderstood situations. His documentarian approach to street photography captures an honest and visually energizing depiction of his subjects.
- Content Emerging Artist: Keana Aguila Labra
Keana Aguila Labra is an author, co-director of the Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate program, and co-founder of Sampaguita Press. Keana’s poetry begins with a thought or feeling nurtured through revision and the unpacking of history and ancestry. By sculpting emotion into multilingual poetry, Keana hopes to foster representation for readers unseen in society’s cultural hierarchy.
- Content Emerging Artist: Davied Morales
Davied Morales is a San José-born actor and rapper who has worked for numerous Bay Area theater companies, appeared on television and film, and amassed a large social media following. He hopes to be an example and pillar of support for Bay Area creatives by manifesting honest positivity through his craft.
Since 1991, more than 160 artists have been honored through the SVLaureate and Content Emerging Artists program. Applications for Content Emerging Artists were submitted this past fall and reviewed by an independent review panel comprised of local artists and arts presenters, representing a spectrum of disciplines This year, SVCREATES had 39 applications from artists of exceptional talent and vision, and the panel chose to acknowledge three artists who honor us with their work and their spirits. Each Awardee will receive a $5,000 cash award to celebrate and encourage the continuing development of their artistic work, a profile in Content Magazine, and the title of Content Emerging Artist. SVCREATES would like to thank the County of Santa Clara for supporting this program.
This year's artists will be recognized at the Content Magazine Pick-Up Party for Issue 15.3, “Perform” on Friday, May 19 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm in honor of their exceptional achievements in the arts and contributions to the cultural life of Silicon Valley.