Steven nizzotes Rubalcaba is a San José–based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores memory, community, and transformation through reclaimed materials. Rooted in a lifelong practice shaped by resourcefulness and cultural storytelling, Rubalcaba creates sculptural installations and participatory works that reimagine discarded objects as vessels of collective meaning.
Working with 75% or more reused and reclaimed materials, he transforms cassette tapes, salvaged wood, misprints, and found media into geometric sculptures, architectural forms, and community-built installations. His practice bridges nostalgia and futurism — honoring analog histories while envisioning new possibilities for shared spaces.
In 2024, Steven participated in the San José Resilient Artist Cohort, deepening his commitment to sustainable artmaking. In 2025, he served as a Creative Ambassador for the City of San José, leading interactive public art projects that invited community members to contribute directly to collaborative sculptural works.
His work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area and often centers on San José’s neighborhoods, intersections, and cultural memory. Whether creating intimate sculptural artifacts or large-scale participatory installations, Steven views art as a point of access — a way to connect people, honor lived experience, and transform overlooked materials into meaningful monuments.
He lives and works in San José, California.