Lauren O'Connor's Thoughts on Preserving Jerome Caja

Check out this wonderful Jerome post by Lauren on Tumblr (Bay Area Video Coalition Preservation Department -- January 27, 2015). She is a great ambassador for The Jerome Project. Lauren tirelessly put in hundreds and hundreds of hours converting analog video of Jerome frame-by-frame to museum-quality digital format. She worked on Jerome video for over six months.

Lauren loves Jerome! Every time I'd stop by BAVC, she would greet me with a huge grin and tell me a new crazy story about Jerome. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs during this process.

Thank you, Lauren, for all your hard work. The digital files you created are the meat & potatoes of my film!

The Jerome Project Collaborates with the San Francisco Cinematheque

Jerome is going to be in a new group show! This is the fifth annual art auction and benefit celebrating San Francisco Cinematheque. The Jerome Project is donating Anna van der Meulen's fabulous photo triptych of him. This piece will be on sale and the proceeds will go to the SF Cinematheque and the new documentary film being made on Jerome.

Years ago Anna donated these film negatives to us, and we are producing new, signed, limited-edition runs of her work. The purchaser will also receive a special credit in the documentary film.

Lastly, thank you Noah Cowan (Executive Director of the San Francisco FIlm Society) for spreading the word about The Jerome Project and helping us get Jerome into this show!

The Fifth Annual Art Auction & Benefit celebrating San Francisco Cinematheque

"Please JOIN US at the Center for New Music for a special reception and silent art auction—including fabulous food, libations and music from DJ Wobbly with many artists and filmmakers in person—in celebration and support of San Francisco Cinematheque and our 55th year of exhibiting cutting-edge avant-garde film and video art. Over 50 international, national and regional artists have contributed artworks to this year’s stellar exhibition of photography, painting, collage, sculpture and multimedia installation."

The Beginnings of my Documentary Film on Jerome

Big thanks to the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) for awarding The Jerome Project the Preservation Access Program grant! Thank you Scott England, Matt Flynn, Stevyn Polk, David Faulk, Michael Johnstone, Chuck Mobly, Adam Klein, and The Jerome Caja Estate for entrusting me with your video. BAVC you rock! You kickstarted my production by digitizing 100+ hours of video (16 terabytes of data). I also want to give a very special shout out to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for funding this grant.

Lastly, if anybody out there has any video on Jerome Caja, please contact us and let's talk about digitizing it.

"Art/AIDS/America" directed & co-curated by Dr. Jonathan D. Katz

"Art/AIDS/America examines 30 years of artistic production made in response to the AIDS epidemic in the United States." -- This show is presented in two parts at the ONE Archives Gallery & Museum and the West Hollywood Library. This is just a taste of what is to come. Twenty percent of the collection is now on display until September 6th. Then the entire show will be exhibited at the Tacoma Art Museum, and it will eventually travel to other cities in the US.

If you are in Los Angeles before September 6th, don't miss this chance to see two significant Jerome pieces (Little Yellow Angels & The Shroud of Curad). Lastly, Jonathan is one of our art advisors on The Jerome Project, and we are really grateful to have a veteran queer academic on our board. Thank you Jonathan!

Visual Storytelling by Bruce Block

A big thanks to veteran filmmaker Bruce Block for his three-day "Visual Storytelling" class at Lucas Film in the Presidio. It was insightful and helpful for mapping out the layers of art direction in my film on Jerome. Hands-down this was the best continuing education class the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS) has offered. Bruce gave me the vocabulary needed to communicate my artistic ideas effectively to my crew. His graphs and charts for creating design roadmaps are golden. I also love how he can boil down a film to its one basic “Rule.”

Because Jerome has been so marginalized, we (the audience) need to see the bigger picture. Bruce confirmed my idea that using a wide-screen format for my film will give a broader perspective on Jerome and pull him out of the periphery.

I highly recommend Bruce's book "The Visual Story" too. It will enhance how you use the visual elements of your film to tell your story. If you ever get a chance to see him speak in person, treat yourself. He is entertaining and informative, and he will give you key storyboard techniques that are essential to crafting a beautiful film.

Website: www.bruceblock.com

by Anthony Cianciolo

Piecing Together Jerome Caja's Life Story

I just want to give a huge thanks to Daniel Nicoletta for all his help this past year putting me in contact with key people in Jerome's life. Daniel has been instrumental in locating privately held pieces of Jerome's artwork that have not been seen publicly in more than 20 years.

Honoring the Late & Great Jerome Caja Online

Check out this lovely Facebook memorial page (Jerome Caja Shrine) dedicated to Jerome and his work. This public group forum was constructed years ago by Jerome's friend Christopher Craig. Scroll through and get lost in Jerome's art. It is magical! Thank you for all your help, Christopher. You have been key in finding obscure and unknown collections of Jerome's work. The Jerome Project is honored to have your support!

by Anthony Cianciolo

The Most Outrageous Drag Troupe

My friends Michael Johnstone and David Faulk are the brilliant creators of the San Francisco drag troupe called Verasphere. One of the best ways to experience their creativity is to march with them on Gay Pride. Every year they open up their colorful drag closet (a huge storage container) and share the contents with friends and family. I have marched many times with them down Market Street, and we always win the award for most outrageous contingent. Come join in the fun!

Michael and David have been supporters of The Jerome Project since its infancy. They donated video and ephemera that belonged to Jerome (modified drag pumps, a bald Bozo the Clown head piece, and a scary 50's clown toy). Because of their generosity, I decided to create a repository of Jerome treasures that is accessible for research and academic use.

Lastly, check out the grin on Bob Girardi. Bob is my new intern. He is helping out with scanning content for the Jerome Caja Digital Catalogue Raisonné. As you can see, he had a great time with Verasphere. They welcomed him with open arms. Thank you, Verasphere, for letting us march with you!

Verasphere website: www.verasphere.com

by Anthony Cianciolo

Breaking Bread with Loretta & Richard Caja

This was the first time meeting Jerome's brother and sister-in-law. Carl and I were in stitches laughing from the numerous Cleveland -- Jerome stories that they shared. I cannot wait to incorporate some of them in the film. Again, thank you for all the support on The Jerome Project. We really appreciate it. It is an honor to work with your memories, and every day that I work on this film I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such an amazing creative project on my desk.

Jerome was loved by so many!

by Anthony Cianciolo

Beautiful Work by Stu Maddux

Keep your eyes out for the new documentary by Stu Maddux, "Reel in the Closet". I just saw it screen at San Francisco's Frameline film festival. It is lovely! The film has some of the best archival footage of gay people from the 40's, 50's, and even the 30's. It includes a priceless interview with Jerome's friend Daniel Nicoletta explaining how he outed himself to his family (I won't spoil the surprise -- you'll just have to see the film for yourself).

Reel in the Closet is a benchmark I am using for my documentary film on Jerome Caja. Maddux's film unearths never-before-seen treasures from our queer history and pulls them together in a strong narrative arc. This is what I aim to do with Jerome.

Meeting my Childhood Idol John Waters

Making a movie is one of the most challenging things I have ever set out to do. Whenever I get frustrated or feel lost in the process of making my documentary film on Jerome Caja, I always turn to other artists that inspire me. I immerse myself in their art.

I just read Carsick and it is FABULOUS!

Jerome Caja's Gallerist in San Francisco

Paule Anglim loved Jerome and was one of his biggest supporters. She was the first in the contemporary art world to recognize his importance outside the counter-culture gay world. Gallery Paule Anglim has been representing Jerome since the early 90's.

Paule was so excited when she found out that I was making a feature documentary on Jerome. Paule did something for me very early on that I will never forget. She immediately took me under her wing and offered support. When it finally came time to launch The Jerome Project website, Paule knew how nervous I was about going public. She and her team (Ed Gilbert, Christine Ancalmo, Shannon Trimble, Travis Collinson) backed me by throwing a Jerome Project launch party in tandem with a new fundraiser exhibition of Jerome's work. Paule was the catalyst and impetus for me going public when I did. Just a few months later, Paule passed away, and the San Francisco art scene changed forever.

Paule, thank you for your friendship, trust, and help. I miss you dearly!


SF Weekly - Culture & Arts (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)
Anglim-philia: SF's Art World Remembers Paule Anglim
By Jonathan Curiel

SF Gate - Arts & Entertainment (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)
Longtime S.F. gallery owner Paule Anglim dies
By Kenneth Baker and Sam Whiting

SF Gate - Arts & Entertainment (Friday, April 3, 2015)
Appreciation: The irreplaceable Paule Anglim
By Kenneth Baker

by Anthony Cianciolo

Public Presentation of The Jerome Project

Come celebrate "Made in the Mission - Spring Open Studios" at Army Lofts! I will be presenting The Jerome Project alongside a whole bunch of other FABULOUS local San Francisco artists! I will have two tables set up with some really fun Jerome Caja art, drag ephemera, and vintage footage I have gathered over the years.

This is a two-day event starting this Saturday April 18 - Sunday April 19 (from 12:00pm - 6:00pm). Army Lofts is located at 3435 Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco, Ca 94110. It is in the old historic Sears building on the south side of Cesar Chavez St. between Valencia and Mission.

The D-Word & Docs in Progress Peer Pitch

I want to give a big shout out and thank you Jason Perdue (director of the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival) and Erica Ginsberg (executive director of Docs In Progress) who moderated this event. Last Friday I presented both my film "Jerome and the Art of Sainthood" and "The Jerome Project" at the Sebastopol Film Festival Peer Pitch West, which was put on by Docs in Progress and The D-Word.

Eight filmmakers, including myself, presented our projects at the all-day event. I pitched for 10 minutes in front of over 30 established filmmakers and got 15 minutes of feedback. It was AMAZING! I received really helpful and constructive advice.

Again, thank you Jason and Erica for creating a safe space for filmmakers to workshop their films. I will definitely be back. I also highly encourage any of you to check out the festival. It screened over 70 films in delightful downtown Sebastopol. Participate next year in the Peer Pitch if you have a documentary film idea.

Come Celebrate the Memory of Rex Ray

A memorial in honor of Rex Ray’s passing on February 9th will take place at Gallery 16 on Thursday, March 12, 2015. This event is open to the public, and Rex’s work will be on display. Rex Ray was one of Jerome’s close friends and a fellow San Francisco Art Institute alumnus. He designed the book and cover of the monograph “Jerome After the Pageant” by Thomas Avena and Adam Klein. Rex also co-curated the show "Remains of the Day" at Southern Exposure Gallery with Amy Scholder, which displayed works by Jerome and Charles Sexton. After Jerome died, Rex used Jerome’s ashes to make acrylic cross reliquaries that he distributed to Jerome’s close friends.

Thursday, March 12th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Reception & Memorial for Rex Ray

Gallery 16
Address: 501 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Website: www.gallery16.com
Phone: 415.626.7495

by Anthony Cianciolo

Come Celebrate the Launch of The Jerome Project & New Exhibition at Gallery Paule Anglim

This exhibition will feature Caja's mixed-media paintings that he created with everything that you would find in a drag queen's handbag: nail polish, glitter, make-up, lipstick, and eye liner. His canvases included pistachio shells, lockets, discarded bottle caps, and small scraps of paper. Many of these miniature paintings are being shown publicly for the very first time, and some have not been exhibited in more than 25 years. Original Jerome art will be for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will support The Jerome Project. We will also be accepting tax-deductible donations through our fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society.

You'll also get a sneak peek at clips from the new documentary film, Jerome and the Art of Sainthood, currently in production.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014
at 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Gallery Paule Anglim
Address: 14 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 433-2710
Website: www.gallerypauleanglim.com

by Anthony Cianciolo

Come Join in the Conversation about Queer Art

I will be presenting The Jerome Project at Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) along side two of my local filmmaking peers (Lil Miss Hot Mess and Cheryl Dunye). All three of us will walk you through our career history and showcase our current multimedia projects.

Thank You Paul Karlstrom

Prior to committing making a documentary film on Jerome Caja, I knew the success of my film hinged on the art world backing it. I spent two years researching everything related to Jerome (art shows, publications, essays, etc). Once I discovered that Paul Karlstrom was solely responsible for the Smithsonian being the first major institution to make a lasting commitment to Jerome, I knew he was the right person to advise and create a strong board.

Principal Art Advisor

I am pleased to announce that Paul is my mentor and principal art advisor on The Jerome Project. He has also brought Peter Selz and Daniell Cornell on board too.

En((gender))ing Performance: A Call and Response

It's a full day of events (group art shows, performances, film screenings, and round-table discussions) that reawaken the radical legacy of the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). The exhibition features more than thirty SFAI artists (Jerome Caja, Annie Sprinkle, Steven Arnold, Nao Bustamante, Linda Montano, Curt McDowell, Jennifer Locke, The Cockettes, and many others).

Collaboration & Curation

Several months back, Ling Meng (MA student at the San Francisco Art Institute), contacted me when I was a San Francisco Film Society FilmHouse resident to see if The Jerome Project wanted to collaborate in a special exhibition prior to her graduation.

This was part of her master's program. She was in charge of everything related to Jerome. Of course I said yes. Jerome received his MFA from SFAI.

Thank You Alicia Hernandez-Dispaux

One day when I was volunteering at the San Francisco International FIlm Festival, I met Alicia Hernandez-Dispaux. She and I were cleaning up after a FilmHouse party, and we hit it off immediately when we realized we share a love for irreverent, provocative art.

Alicia naturally fell in love with Jerome.

Alicia ended up leaving the US weeks after we met because her visa was expiring. Her passion for Jerome was so strong, that I made a promise to bring her back as a paid intern. Alicia went home, found a Belgian government grant through Bureau International Jeunesse, and together we applied. It was a grueling process applying for a JI-Visa, but we got it!

Digital Catalogue Raisonné

Alicia was paid to came back to the US and work intensely for four months building a database of Jerome's  paintings (the Jerome Caja Digital Catalogue Raisonné). This is at the heart of preserving Jerome's artistic legacy, and it is a prototype we are using to funders and researchers in the art world.

Thank You For Helping The Jerome Project

Michele Turnure-Salleo (director of Filmmaker Services at the SFFS) was the first person to whom I pitched my documentary film. I was testing the waters and wanted to see if Jerome came across as compelling and cinematic. After my pitch, the first words out of her mouth were, "Yes, you have a great film idea, and you are the one to make it!" Michele's support and encouragement have been instrumental, especially in the very early development phase.


Cleveland Born & Bred

Like Jerome, I was an overly sensitive queer kid who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and ventured out to California to explore my artistic dreams. Ohio (Cleveland in particular) breeds a type of artist like no other.

I have the best parents in the world! I could not have tackled The Jerome Project without them. My mother and father NEVER waiver with their love and support for me. They recognized the artist in me when I was very young and have been nurturing my creative drive ever since.

Welcome and Thank You for Visiting The Jerome Project Blog!

This blog site is dedicated to documenting the evolution of The Jerome Project, highlighting its multifaceted components, and showcasing all the people who are helping to bring these projects to fruition.

I would like to honor the growing community of supporters by giving them an independent voice on the blog portion of this site. This platform is available for people who want to share their stories about Jerome and their passion for him and his work. My hope is that the synergy of supporters gathering here to celebrate and sustain Jerome’s legacy will inspire all of us to continue the activism and creativity that Jerome embodied.

Please join in the discussion, get involved in supporting any of the numerous Jerome projects, and most of all, spread Jerome's art around. He absolutely LOVED having people laugh over, talk about, gawk at, revel in, comment on, and share his art.

by Anthony Cianciolo