The same creative character partially responsible for the mystical-looking 48-by-25-foot garlic mural inscribed on the back cement wall of the 9Lives Club in downtown Gilroy is at it again – only this time he’s got a posse.
In conjunction with Dragonfly on Fifth coffee house, Dylan Kelly – a 2003 Gilroy High School alumni who returned to the Garlic Capital last year after living and working as a Bay Area artist – has organized a “Save Our City Art Show,” which will feature art, live painting, music and poetry. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 27 (the first evening of the Gilroy Garlic Festival) at Dragonfly, located at 7501 Monterey Street in downtown Gilroy.
About year ago, Kelly told the Dispatch that he wanted to help represent “young talent and a creativity in this town that is under-represented,” and that engagement with local artists and infusion of public aesthetic “is needed in Gilroy.”
It appears his goal hasn’t fizzled.
“All these people will come in town for the Garlic Festival, and there is no representation for the people that are here and have their heads on the right track,” he said. “We have a lot of local people who are going to be doing music and poetry. They’re all excited.”
During the event, Dylan and his friend Luis Rivas – a 2009 alumni of Mt. Madonna Continuation High School who collaborated with Kelly on the 9Lives mural – will be custom painting large wooden panes to be installed inside Dragonfly. Kelly said the show will feature people of all ages from Gilroy, San Jose and Salinas. The event is free to the public and will include an open microphone time for those who want to play music or read poetry.
Anyone interested in submitting art or participating can email Dylan Kelly at ch******@ya***.com.
