Lila Gemellos
GEMELLOS MURALS
Artist Statement
lila@gemellosmurals.com | www.gemellosmurals.com
For the Outdoor Public Art Piece addressing the L Courtyard at the Signal Hill library, I would paint murals directly onto the sound wall barrier for the lowest maintenance, most durable and safest result. Through the use of a projector for initial outlines and scaling, I can achieve substantial conformity and maximum creativity.
In public art, I approach projects as a sense of place artist first, to achieve a sense of community and pay tribute to the past. I enjoy creating narratives from within a community’s identity as well as its hopes in an attempt visually storytell. Being from Silicon Valley, I understand that engaging the public and creating dynamism for social media is important for my ancient craft’s survival. Done well, large-scale sense of place murals can be placemaking and encourage further engagement of the space. This is really my craft – the revitalization of public spaces. I would collaborate with the City of Signal Hill Department of Community Services, City Council and the community at large to see where sentiments are through a series of public meetings. Listening can be a powerful approach to inspiration and culture. Likewise, sharing the process can be galvanizing for the Signal Hill residents and foster a sense of community.
That said, there is always an opportunity to discuss the progressive city that elected a woman as its first mayor. There’s always an opportunity to discuss the indigenous Puva and Tongva tribes, Spanish cattle ranchos, Bixby family’s sheep ranch, “oil town” and Balboa Movie Studios once here in Signal Hill. I believe there’s a beautiful way to engage the public by celebrating its shared heritage.
Lila Gemellos
GEMELLOS MURALS
VISUAL ARTIST
Curriculum Vitae
lila@gemellosmurals.com | www.gemellosmurals.com
Born, raised and trained in San Jose, California, Lila Gemellos started her business in the Arts over 15 years ago. With over 30 years of technical training, today Gemellos employs different styles confidently – from photorealism to technicolor.
Gemellos studied at photorealist’s Lee Hartman’s studio from 1993-2003. After studying Oil Painting at the University of California, Riverside, Gemellos began a career in commercial real estate and property management, receiving a Construction Industry Technician degree from Clemson University. She worked for developers, property owners and specialty contractors in different administrative capacities.
Today, Gemellos is working with builders and property owners to create community harmony. Employing her craft to mitigate graffiti in Eastside San Jose schools first, Gemellos has created a portfolio of community engagement. Gemellos brings her strong San Jose roots to her artistic narratives through “sense of place” murals. She also approaches projects with joyful color and broad collaboration. She distinguishes herself as a visual storyteller, a social media placemaker and a professional creative force.
Her first commission open to the public was Falafel’s Drive In. Her first large public art opportunity was with the Willow Glen Business Association. Her first out of state opportunity was completed in Prescott, Arizona. Gemellos is currently working expand her inspired narratives in the public art scene both within the US and beyond.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Gemellos Murals 2009 – Present
San José, California
Sole-proprietor Artist, Entrepreneur Full-time
• Manages all aspects of Gemellos Murals, sales, legal and mural execution
• Interior, Exterior, Ground and Floor Murals up to 5000 sq. ft.
COMMISSIONS
ALMA TEQUILERIA ADD ON 2023
100 N. Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95110 650 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
CHABOYA SIGNAGE RESTORATION 2023
3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95135, 1,500 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
CHABOYA MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS GIFT 2023 2023
3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95135, 750 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
HEADSPACE BARBERSHOP 2023
487 Fourth Street, San Jose, CA 95112, 400 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
COMMUNITY & COMUNIDAD 2023
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, 14275 Chandler Avenue, San Jose, CA 95127, 3,000 sq. ft.., premium exterior paint
MILLBRAE PUBLIC ART 2023
City of Millbrae, Millbrae Avenue, 126 N Rollins Rd, Millbrae, CA 94030, 9,000 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
OLLA CUCINA AGAVE 2022
Olla Cucina, 27 N San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110, less than 100 sq. ft.
premium exterior paint
GIRAFFE STAIRCASE 2022
Little Spirits, 77 N. Almaden Ave. #102, San Jose, CA 95110, 700 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, REPUBLIC URBAN HEADQUARTERS 2022
1096 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125, 1200 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
LIVING WALL OAKRIDGE MALL 2022
925 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123, July 2022, 1000 sq. ft., premium exterior acrylics
CITY OF SUNNYVALE ELECTRICAL BOXES 2022
City of Sunnyvale, corner of Washington and Sunnyvale Avenue, 100 sq ft., premium exterior paints
SAN PEDRO SQUARE SIGNAGE 2022
San Pedro Square Market, 87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, 200 sq. ft., premium exterior paints
MT PLEASANT MURALS (4) 2021
City of San Jose Department of Transportation and Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood
Association, 3499 Marten Avenue, San Jose, CA 95127, premium exterior acrylics
CAMPBELL LOVE 2021
Imwalle Properties, City of Campbell collaborated, 276 E. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008, 180 sq. ft., premium exterior acrylics
ALMA TEQUILERIA (2) 2021
87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, 1000 sq. ft., premium exterior acrylics
OB WHALEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2021 Evergreen Elementary School District, 2655 Alvin Ave, San Jose, CA 95121, +100 sq. ft, premium exterior acrylics
SAN PEDRO SQUARE MARKET ELECTRICAL BOX 2021
San Pedro Square Market, 87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, mural sprays and premium exterior paint
AZORES RESIDENTIAL 2021
Private client, 120+ sq. ft. premium exterior acrylics
MARKET PARK (15 murals) 2020 – 2021
City of San Jose planning department collaborated murals, 1477 Berryessa
Road, San Jose, CA 95133, 4000+ sq. ft., premium exterior acrylics
BLANCA ALVARADO MEDICAL RESOURCE CENTER, SANTA CLARA FAMILY HEALTH PLAN (2), 2021
408 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95133, 200+ sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
WHEELHOUSE, Lincoln Ave (3) 2021
1173 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, 200+ sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
SILVER OAK ELEMENTARY (2) 2021
5000 Farnsworth Dr, San Jose, CA 95138, 200 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
KIPP HERITAGE ACADEMY 2021
423 Los Arboles St, San Jose, CA 95111, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
ERIC CARLE TINY FREE LIBRARY 2021
Flint Road, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
HAMMER AND NAILS 2021
1151 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays, phosphorescent paint and premium paint
KINRED FITNESS 2021
2282 Quimby Rd, San Jose, CA 95122, 120 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
GANADO FEED 2020
945 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
LINCOLN AVE 2020
Temporary murals (2), SDS Nexgen LLC, Lincoln Ave., 200 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
WHITE ROAD ARTBOX 2020
City of San Jose, corner of White & Tully Road, -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2020
3241 Remington Way, San Jose, CA 95148, 200 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
SAN PEDRO SQUARE 2020
Tabbard Theater 29 N San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110, 700 sq. ft., mural sprays and premium exterior paint
DEPOT MARKETPLACE 2019 Prescott, Arizona, 100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, AZ 86301, 675 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
HAMANN PARK 2019
City of San Jose Public Art Mural, 2747 Westfield Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, 1000 sq. ft., exterior mural paint
SAN CARLOS ARTBOX 2019
City of San Jose, corner of Bird Ave and San Carlos St., -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
UBRAN PLAYGROUND 2019
Fountain Alley Building, Urban Catalyst, 35 S Second St, San Jose, CA 95113, 2000+ sq. ft., premium exterior mural paint
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 2019 Curated, managed and painted, 6000+ sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and premium paint
DASH COFFEE & BARKEY 2019
44047 Osgood Rd #210, Fremont, CA 94539, 200 sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and premium paint
BOLLINGER ARTBOX 2019
City of San Jose, corner of Bollinger Rd & Johnson Ave, -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
WARLI RESIDENTIAL MURAL 2019 Private client, 40 sq. ft., premium acrylic paint
MUSIC DAY PIANOS 2019
City of San Jose District 10 and Almaden Rotary, Almaden Lake Park, 150 sq ft., exterior mural sprays and premium paint
LAURELWOOD 2019 Evergreen School District, 4280 Partridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
DOVE HILL ELEMENTARY 2019
Entry murals (2), Evergreen School District, 1460 Colt Way, San Jose, CA 95121, 1000 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
MATSUMOTO ELEMENTARY 2019 Evergreen School District, 4121 Mackin Woods Ln, San Jose, CA 95135, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
SANTANA ROW BOXES 2018
Federal Realty, 3098 Olsen Dr, San Jose, CA 95128, 300 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
EASTRIDGE MALL 2018
Temporary interior murals, Pacific Retail, 1 day live activation, 2200 Eastridge Mall Loop,
San Jose, CA 95121, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
SOFA MURAL 2018
Valley Title Building, 1 day live activation, 520 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113,
300 sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and premium paint
LAWRENCE STATION CENTER 2018
Marchese Family Properties, 3550 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051, 1200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
MIDTOWN 76 STATION 2018 Polanco Enterprises, 602 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95126, 350 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
ERIKSON PARK 2018
City of San Jose Public Art Mural, 4280 Fell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136, 800 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
WHIMSICAL MORGAN HILL 2018
City of Morgan Hill Public Art Mural, 17280 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, 400 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM 2017
9 ft. Benicia High School circular logos on seven (7) buildings, 1101 Military West, Benicia, California 94510, exterior acrylics
CREATE CONNECT COLLABORATE 2017 Ninico Communications, 255 N Market St Suite 246, San Jose, CA 95110, 32 sq. ft, exterior acrylics and mural sprays
SAN JOSE LOVE PHOTO MURALS 2017
#heartofsiliconvalley, #valleyofheartsdelight, #sanjoseskyline, #heartofsanjose,
Eastridge Mall Murals (4 murals), 20 day execution, 2200 Eastridge Mall Loop,
San Jose, CA 95121, 2,500 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
VENDROME BOX AND CRITTER BOX 2017
City of San Jose Artboxes, approximately 50 sq. ft. each, various acrylics
LIFE IN WILLOW GLEN 2016
#lifeinwillowglen, Willow Glen Business Association, 1133 Lincoln Ave,
San Jose, CA 95125, 900 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
EXAM ROOMS II 2016
Aasha’s Pediatrics Phase II (9 murals, varying sizes), 1569 Lexann Ave #230, San Jose, CA 95121, 810 sq. ft., interior acrylics
MATH’S COMMON CORE FUNCTION 2016
Chaboya Middle School Coordinate Planes (2 murals), 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA
95138, 320 sq. ft., exterior matte, acrylics & industrial spray
RED WHITE AND ROSE BIKE 2016
Peet’s Coffee, Exhibition District & ABA, Bike, 1295 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, 30 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
STUDENT BODY SPEAKS 2016
Laurelwood Ball Wall April-June 2016, 4280 Partridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 500 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
UNDERWATER DENTIST OFFICE 2015 Dr. Navarro’s Smile Dentistry, 750 N Capitol Ave #C, San Jose, CA 95133, 180 sq. ft., interior matte acrylics
GIRLS LOCKER ROOM 2015 Chaboya Girl’s Locker Room, 3276 Cortona Dr., San Jose, CA 95138, 150 sq. ft., interior acrylic
COURTYARD COMPLETION & BALL WALLS 2015
Montgomery Phase II & Ball Walls (5 murals), 2010 Daniel Maloney Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 1080 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
SHAVED ICE 2014
Shaved Hawaiian Ice Murals (4), 1597 Meridian Ave E, San Jose, CA 95125, 450 sq. ft., interior acrylics
SMALL JOBS 2014
Lobbies and Exam Rooms, Private businesses, 100-400 sq. ft., various acrylics
EXAM ROOMS I 2013
Aasha’s Pediatrics Phase I, 1569 Lexann Ave #230, San Jose, CA 95121,
1500 sq. ft., interior acrylics
BRACE SIMPSON 2013
Santa Cruz Orthodontics Signage, 930 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 128 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
SBIA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 2013
Classroom Murals and Prayer Calligraphy Vinyls, (4 installs, 1 mural), 325 N 3rd St,
San Jose, CA 95112, vinyl applique and interior semigloss
CHABOYA PHASE 2 2013
Chaboya Middle School Gym Murals, (3 murals), 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95138, 140 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
MONTGOMERY COURTYARD 2013
Montgomery Elementary School Phase I (3 murals), 2010 Daniel Maloney Dr,
San Jose, CA 95121, 270 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
ACCENTS 2012 – 2013
Home and Small School Jobs, KR Smith Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, private residences, 100-300 sq. ft., various acrylics
SOMETHING SAN JOSE 2011 – 2012
Falafel’s Drive In, 2301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, 95128,
5000+ sq. ft., various acrylics
CHABOYA PHASE 1 2011
Chaboya Middle School Labeling Project (11 murals), 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose,
CA 95138, 1,728 sq. ft., acrylics
FAUX ADOBE RESIDENTIALS 2010 – 2011 Home Improvement and small jobs, private residences, interior matte acrylics, 200-800 sq. ft. per, semi-gloss glaze and pastel chalks
REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS 2009
Vintage Wallpaper and wall blemish repairs for County of Santa Clara and JP DiNapoli Companies, various locations, less than 1 sq. ft., epoxy, acrylics, and various texturing patches for repair
SUNNY BREAKFAST NOOK 2004
Sun centered on light fixture, 49 Norton Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, 225 sq. ft., interior acrylic
VRISSI 2001
Greek Fountain Mural and 4 stage backdrops. Play performed in Rethimnon, Crete, Greece, 824 sq. ft., acrylic on canvas
AWARDS:
• Abierto Grant 2022
• Abierto Grant 2021
• City Commendation 2021
• Holding the Moment Exhibition 2020
• Covid Relief Grant, $500.00 2020
• Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Gateway Murals Funding, $100,000.00 2019
• Pre-Qualified Mural Roster, City of San Jose 2019
• What’s the Biz, D3 2018
• Cornerstone for the Arts 2017
• Belle Foundation Grant 2015
• Multiple Santa Clara County Fair Awards, including Best of Show 1996-1999
EDUCATION
Construction Industry Technician Certificate 2006
Clemson University
San Jose Builders’ Guild
Lila Gemellos
GEMELLOS MURALS
References
lila@gemellosmurals.com | www.gemellosmurals.com
Kenneth Rodrigues
Kenneth Rodrigues and Associates
445 N Whisman Rd # 200, Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 965-0700 rodriguesk@icloud.com
Michael Ogilvie
City of San Jose, Office of Cultural Affairs, Head of Public Art Department
200 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95112
(408)793-4339 michael.ogilvie@sanjoseca.gov
Michael Mulcahy
SDS Nexgen Partners
1112 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 298-4264 michael@sdsnexgen.com
Najla Kayyem
Pacific Retail Capital Partners & Kayyem Marketing
100 N Sepulveda Blvd Suite 1925, El Segundo, CA 90245
(310)641-8060 nkayyem@pacificretail.com
Michael Van Every
Republic Urban Properties
1098 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
(408)292-1601 vanevery@republicurbanproperties.com
