curriculum vitae
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 training, today Gemellos employs different styles with confidence – 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 construction administration, receiving a Construction Industry Technician degree from Clemson University and adding core business and legal skills to her art career.
Today, Gemellos is working with builders, owners and public agencies to create community harmony. Employing her craft to mitigate graffiti in Eastside San Jose schools first, Gemellos has created a portfolio of community engagement, placemaking and sense of place murals. Also a Historical Heritage Commissioner for the County of Santa Clara, Gemellos brings her strong San Jose roots and historical interests 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 placemaking specialist and a professional creative force.
Her first commission open to the public and first press comes from the Falafel’s Drive In in San Jose. Her first large public art opportunity was with the Willow Glen Business Association and City of San Jose. Her first out of state opportunity was completed in Prescott, Arizona. Gemellos is always expanding her inspired visual narratives in the public art scene throughout the US and beyond.
RESUME
Work Experience, Awards, Education, References and Selected Press
Selected projects with images and descriptions
Detailed list of all mural projects with date and location
EXPERIENCE
PROFESSIONAL ARTIST EXPERIENCE
Gemellos Murals 2009 - Present
San José, California
Sole-proprietor Artist, Entrepreneur Full-time
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Manages all aspects of Gemellos Murals, sales, legal and mural execution
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Interior, Exterior, Ground and Floor Murals up to 5000 sq. ft.
AWARDS
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Abierto Grant 2022
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Abierto Grant 2021
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City Commendation 2021
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Holding the Moment Exhibition 2020
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Covid Relief Grant, $500.00 2020
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Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Gateway Murals Funding, $100,000.00 2019
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Pre-Qualified Mural Roster, City of San Jose 2019
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What's the Biz, D3 2018
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Cornerstone for the Arts 2017
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Belle Foundation Grant 2015
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Multiple Santa Clara County Fair Awards, including Best of Show 1996-1999
EDUCATION
University of California, Riverside
Construction Industry Technician Certificate, San Jose Builders’ Guild
REFERENCES
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 mvanevery@republicurbanproperties.com
SELECTED PRESS CLIPS
Beauty From a Distance: Murals Help Lift Spirits During Pandemic - YouTube
8/16/2022 Republic & Lila Mural in Willow Glen - NBC Bay Area - YouTube
This San Jose business district embraces a new identity with a new name
New tequila bar adds spice to San Jose's San Pedro Square Market
NOTABLE PROJECTS
Falafel Drive In, 2012, Falafel’s Drive in Owners, Budget $7,000.00
Description: A series of historical and current symbols that represent the City of San Jose as well as the establishment its in
Life in Willow Glen, 2016, Willow Glen Business Association and City of San Jose, Budget $16,000
Description: A series of symbols that represent the history of Willow Glen, the small city of its own unique creation and culture before it was annexed by the city of San Jose
Eastridge Mall, 2017, Pacific Retail Partners, Budget $20,000
Description: This is a series of murals which represent San Jose’s past, present and future on
Downtown Morgan Hill, 2018, Imwalle Properties, Budget $14,000
Description: This mural features settings and symbols of Morgan Hill’s past and present
Depot Marketplace, 2019, Arizona Commercial, Prescott, AZ, Budget $8,000 + per diem
Description: These 3D murals represent this shopping center’s historic roots and surroundings
Beauty From a Distance: Murals Help Lift Spirits During Pandemic - YouTube
Market Park Shopping Center, 2021, SJ Flea Market Real Estate Group, 15 murals total, Budget $75,000
Description: These 15 murals represents the history Santa Clara County has as the Valley of Heart’s Delight
Alma Tequileria, 2022, San Pedro Square Market, 3 murals, Budget $32,000
Description: These cactus, succulents and peony flowers represent the trendy succulent culture of today, the peony flowers of the Spanish land grant owners, the Peralta family, and the Tequileria currently homed here.
San Miguel De Allende, 2022, Republic Urban Properties, 2 murals, Budget $20,000
Description: A large scale look into the San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, ready for social media
NOTRE DAME AVE, 2024, City of San Jose Mayor’s Office, Budget $35,000.00
Description: A larger than life look into San Jose’s agricultural past
LIST OF PROJECTS
SANTORINI INSTALLATIONS (2)2025
San Jose Greek Festival, 1260 Davis Street, San Jose, CA 95126, 128 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
Evergreen School District, 3200 Millbrook Drive, San Jose, CA 95148, 2000 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
SILVER OAK 6th GRADE CLASS GIFT2025
PTSA, 5000 Farnsworth Drive, San Jose, CA 95138, 100 sq. ft., premium interior paint
SANTA CLARA STREET UTILITY BOXES (3)2025
East Village Business Association, Santa Clara St & Eighth Street, Santa Clara St & Tenth Street,Santa Clara St & Thirteenth Street, San Jose, CA 95112, 1200 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
SANTA CLARA STREET PLANTERS (4)2025
East Village Business Association, Santa Clara St & Ninth Street, San Jose, CA 95112, 250 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
LGSC FASTPITCH SOFTBALL BACKSTOP2025
Foothill Elementary School, 13919 Lynde Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070, 300 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
CHERRYWOOD ELEMENTARY (3) 2024
Home and School Club and Berryessa School District, 2550 Greengate Drive, San Jose, CA 95132, 960 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
CHABOYA WELLNESS CENTER (2) 2024
Evergreen School District, 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95135, 500 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
NOTRE DAME AVE2024
City of San Jose, Notre Dame Avenue from St. John to Julian Streets, San Jose, CA 95110 City, 5,500 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
GIRL’S ROOM WATERCOLOR FLOWERS2024
Private client, 120 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
WINCHESTER ORCHARD SIGNAGE 2024
Winchester Orchard Neighborhood Association, Constance Avenue and 280 Overpass, 1,000 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
SILVER OAK PLAZA (4) 2024
Marchese Properties, 5855 Silver Creek Valley Place, San Jose, CA 95138, 400 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
WILLOW GLEN LANDSCAPE2024
Bella Vista Landscaping, 1284 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 400 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
COLUMBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL2024
Sunnyvale School District, 739 Morse Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, 300 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
EAST VILLAGE2024
East Village Business Association, 449 E Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113, 1000 sq. ft., premium exterior paint
WALMART STORY ROAD VINYL MURAL2024
Walmart Supercenter, 777 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95122, 400 sq. ft., vinyl applique
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