TAPESTRY IN TALENT ORIGINS
For 26 years, from its inception in 1976 until 2002, Tapestry Arts was known widely in the South Bay as "Tapestry In Talent." The name was changed in 2002 to better reflect its mission of bringing arts education programs to schools in the community.

Tapestry In Talent, in July 1976, put on the very first arts festival ever held in downtown San Jose. The festival over July 3-4 was part of the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration in that year. Here are some photos of this very first Tapestry In Talent Arts Festival. (Click on the image to see an enlargement.)

In the dunk tank, opposite the new Center for the Performing Arts building, three balls were only 25 cents.


Swenson's exhibit featured an antique truck and photos of their construction projection around San Jose.


Greg's Garden Sandwiches offered ice-cold watermelon, only 35 cents.

One of the musicians on the 1976 Tapestry In Talent stage.

Then, U.S. Congressman Norm Mineta attends the 1986 Tapestry In Talent Festival, seen here with board member John Harwood.


Councilwoman and current President/CEO of San Jose Chamber of Commerce, Pat Dando attends the 1997 Tapestry In Talent "An Evening at the Mardi Gras" Gala with Connie (Eichorn) Gazaway.

Also at the Gala were board president Read Zaro with Melany Thompson Zaro and Angela Kirkner.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
In its more than 30 years, Tapestry Arts has won many awards as an arts organization and as a festival organizer, the first of which came from the San Jose Bicentennial Commission.

click here to see the full citation
The citation refers to the Tapestry In Talent Celebration as a "climactic moment of the Nation's Bicentennial."

click here to see the resolution
On July 6, 1976 the San Jose City Council commended the "outstanding work in planning, promoting and producing "Tapestry In Talent."

click here to see the award
The Tapestry In Talent Festival was awarded as one of the 200 Best Festivals of the year in 2002 and in 2003.