About Us: 1stACT Network: 1stACT Voices: Cherri Lakey

Each month, 1stACT will be highlighting two members of our network to provide some background and in-depth insight on some of the people who are making an impact on our community and who are leveraging the growing 1stACT network. We would like for you to know Cherri Lakey, a member of 1stACT's SoFA Accountability Team.

Cherri Lakey, with her partner Brian Eder, owns and operates Two Fish Design, Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design and are the producers of Phantom Galleries and KALEID Gallery. Lakey spends most of her time in the SoFA District of downtown San Jose, the art beat of the city.

Q&A

What do you think makes San Jose and the SoFA District so special?
People make a place and this city has some of the most talented artists and creatives in the world. Luckily for us, the SoFA District is one of the places those talented people like to hang out due to its independent and spirited businesses, art venues and night culture.

What do you find unique about the arts and culture community of Silicon Valley?
I'm impressed by people's sheer determination to live an artful life here even though it can be quite difficult due to the high costs of everything and the lack of ground level resources and support for them to express their creative liberties.

Why do you feel 1stACT is important?
1stAct's ability to recognize and organize leaders, accumulate resources and funding to advocate for and enable change objectively is important to the cultural and economic growth of our city.

What do you see for the future of the arts in Silicon Valley?
The future is a tricky thing and is rarely what we might expect. It is incredibly malleable to the actions and mind set that takes place in the present. Perhaps the better question would be "What do you see for the arts in Silicon Valley at this moment?" and then act accordingly to create the life you want now.

For more information or to join the network, contact Joshua Russell at jrussell@1stact.org