April 3, 2012 > Artists converge for creative night Artists converge for creative night By M.J. Laird A late-night, all-night art event aims to connect people through art and encourage artists' collaboration on Saturday, April 7 at Paddy's Coffee House in Union City. Starting at 9 p.m. and continuing until 4 a.m. on April 8, the free event invites artists to bring canvasses, sketchbooks, markers, and sculpting materials to transform the coffee house into a public art studio for the night. Coffee house owner Paddy Iyer dreamed up the idea and teamed with art curating group &THEM Collective to seed the event, designed as an artists' platform to exchange ideas, methods, and styles. "Who knows?" says Francis Ramos, a freelance photojournalist and member of &THEM, "maybe the artists will create a collective art piece." Ramos expects about 30 artists to turn out. He and Kevin Correa, a theater director, are homegrown members of the collective, both hailing from Union City. Correa and Ramos, also a student at Chabot College, have worked since 2010 with Chevonne Rampas, an interior designer from Mountain View; Neal Hilo, a film student; and Remy Hilo, a photographer from San Jose; as the curating group &THEM. "Every community has a burgeoning talent of artists, whatever be their medium," says Iyer. "As a coffee house, it is our mission to bring their talents to the fore. I'm hoping this will encourage creativity, foster a sense of kinship, and bring the community closer." For more information, contact paddy@paddyscoffee.com or the coffee house at (510) 324-8572. Artists' Night Saturday, April 7 - 8 9 p.m. - 4 a.m. Paddy's Coffee House 3900 Smith Street, Union City (510) 324-8572 www.paddyscoffee.com Free