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24 | Steppin’ Out | March 12, 2008

Fitting in as an American teenager can be pretty tough, but what if you’re not even from America? In a collection of photographs at History Park, San Jose teens show the immigrant experience through their eyes and their camera lenses. The exhibit is called “Becoming American in San Jose,” and is produced by teenagers about teenagers who are immigrants or come from immigrant families. “Becoming American in San Jose,” presented by History San Jose,is on display through June 29 at the Pacific Hotel Gallery in History Park,1650 Senter Road,San Jose. This exhibit was inspired by Barbara Beirne’s traveling Smithsonian exhibit,“Becoming American:Teenagers & Immigration,” which recently made a stop at History Park. Students from six local high schools took part in “Becoming American in San Jose,”contributing a total of 59 photographs. Participants were asked to photograph a friend or classmate who is an immigrant or a first-generation American,and provide a short essay written by themselves or their subject. The essays have a youthful feel that captures the teenage mindset. One gets the sense that these young men and women are open books, with unlimited futures, hopes and dreams.Adapting to a new culture, however, is not without its hardships.

Clayden Continued from page 1 of section den says. Adding to the desirability of her garments is the fact that production of Clayden’s pieces has always been on a small scale,keeping an emphasis on craftsmanship. Certainly, complex and unique artistic processes have been used to create each Clayden design,but the key concept intended for its wearer is simple, “I want her to feel wonderful. I want her to feel special. I want her to feel beautiful,” Marian Clayden says. In the late ’90s,Clayden showed her collections at Bryant Park during New York’s Fashion Week and was selling clothing at such highend retailers as Neiman Marcus

Sarah Puckitt,curator of art and photography at History San Jose, says the exhibit is special because of the connection in age between the photographers and their subjects. She also sees similar themes in the challenges posed to teenagers adapting to American culture. “Even though they’re culturally different, there’s a universal similarity in the situations these teens face in becoming American,” Puckitt says. “You have to learn a new language, overcome certain prejudices and balance home life with school.” Sanjin Mehic, 16, came to the United States from Bosnia when he was 4.“One of the most difficult things to adjust to when we moved here was the language,” he writes. “I had to first learn it myself and then help teach it to my parents.” Some photos are in color;others are black and white. A few are taken in a studio,while many show students in their everyday lives; a couple are self-portraits. Schools participating in the exhibit are: Andrew Hill High School, Downtown College Prep, Notre Dame High School, Oak Grove High School,Overfelt High School and Santa Teresa High School. Supplementing the exhibit are statistics about ethnic diversity in Santa Clara County, as well as the schools involved in the exhibit.For example, at Santa Teresa High School,28.9 percent of the student body is Hispanic; 14.7 percent is

Asian. “Becoming American in San Jose”features photos of teens who came to the U.S.from:China,Vietnam, England, Lebanon, India, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Iran, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Spain and Bosnia. Some of the teens share their first thoughts of America. “My first impression was that it was so big that I might get lost,”wrote Marianel Enriquez,17,who was photographed by Carlota Merino. Security, opportunity and freedom are the driving forces the students cite most often as the reason their families chose to come to America. Though alienation, rebellion and angst often go with the territory of being an American teenager,the exhibit’s overall message is one of hope. Yoonji Park, 17, writes,“School is a struggle, but I am learning to take it day by day.I hope to become a fashion designer in the future.” Puckitt says the exhibit has been very successful, and the museum will likely bring it or a similar photography display back in a couple of years. “You come away with a sense of pride for being an American—what it means to them—and should mean to all of us,” Puckitt says of the exhibit. Admission is free. For more information, call 408.287.2290 or visit www.historysanjose.org.

and Saks Fifth Avenue. Clayden won the Absolut Golden Shears Award in 1995. After designing collections until about 2005, Clayden shifted her focus to accessories and created a line that includes jackets,hats, scarves and belts. “I think her success has proved inspirational to a lot of other fiber artists,” Leventon says. “She has proven that you can do it, you can maintain your integrity as an artist and you can be very successful and I think that has been hugely inspirational.” In fact, she notes, Clayden was one of the first to make wearable art truly wearable. As Roger Clayden says,“She’s taking art to another level and putting it into fashion.” Museum admission is $5-$6.50. Fashion show/tea tickets are $60.

For more information, call 408.197.0323 or visit www.sjquilt museum.org.

STEPPIN’ OUT STAFF Editor

Dale Bryant 408.200.1021 [email protected] Arts Coverage

Heather Zimmerman 408.200.1054 [email protected] Social Coverage

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