By Andrea Careaga
A group of young entrepreneurs decided to start something of their own for the people of Stockton, a safe haven for local artists and musicians to share work with the community, as well as food vendors and local brands.
After paying the $10 entry fee and passing security, visitors enter a warehouse filled with young artists and people enjoying the thumping of the bass from the DJ’s set.
Symposium, the event, was founded by Brandon “Bdot” Ente and Alexander Suelto.
Located at The Sycamore, a small venue on Weber Avenue and North American Street in Downtown Stockton, the once a month event brings local creatives together and helps artists contact and meet people with same interests.
If you are an aspiring rap artist, Symposium is your ticket into Stockton’s hip hop scene.
For many years big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have had established music scenes, something that Stockton has missed for a long time. With symposium Hip Hop artists now have a place to go. Many rap artists from the valley as well as the Bay Area come to perform in the venue.
Infinite 209 is just one of the vendors that come out every month to promote their merchandise. Originally from San Francisco, Infinite 209 has moved to Stockton now with one store a block away from the venue.
From millennials to baby boomers this event has no age limit.
Freelance photographers like Rick Rivera and Ramiz Haddad, sell prints as well as photography group Golden Hour.
Artists come from all over the valley to paint and share with other painters. Symposium has a section dedicated to live art. Painters start off with a blank canvas at the beginning and as the night goes on artist contribute to that same painting or paintings.
Food vendors come out as well; vegan sliders from Cast Iron Co. or carne asada tacos from local taco trucks to ice cream sandwiches from ice cream parlors in the area, Symposium is loyal to keep the food local . All of the vendors that come out are Stockton based.
“There is a lot of people here in Stockton that just like me, that are more comfortable painting in their homes and they don’t have an outlet or a place to show their work and get that initial feedback that they need so they can move forward and progress maybe get some great advice from people with more experience or get a great idea from a friend,” said Alexander Suelto, Art Coordinator for Symposium.
Suelto encouraged people to come out and experience symposium in Stockton.
“Step out of your comfort zone and experience it even if it’s just once,” he said.
Symposium is one of the first art collaborating outlets in Stockton for young musicians and artists, he said, adding that”it’s a place to show what your passionate about.”