2025 winning artworks in Children’s Art Contest to celebrate Asian heritage in public view at Portsmouth Square Garage Gallery

SAN FRANCISCO — 40 winning artworks of the third annual Children’s Art Contest are now displayed for public view at the Portsmouth Square Garage Gallery in San Francisco Chinatown until October.

The first annual Children's Art Contest was organized and hosted by APA Family Support Services (APAFSS) in 2023 in celebration of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. The contest has become an annual tradition to encourage the younger generations to celebrate the Asian Heritage Month in a way of presenting ideas in their artworks.

40 winners of the contest in 2025 were announced in June and all winning artworks are now in public view at the Portsmouth Square Garage Gallery in San Francisco Chinatown with free admission until the end of October. The gallery is located on the street level of the garage's main entrance on Kearny Street.

District 8 Supervisor and President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, Interim Police Chief Paul Yep, Central Police Station Captain Christopher Del Gandio and community leaders joined the ribbon cutting ceremony of the exhibition on July 26.

The 2025 Children's Art Contest was co-hosted by APA Family Support Services and Happy Picasso Art Studio. "AAPI Festivals: Celebrating Together" was the theme of the 2025 contest. Over 200 young artists who are aged 4 to 16 across the San Francisco Bay Area sent in their submissions for the contest.

Among the 200+ participants, 40 were winners from three age groups, 4-7, 8-11, 12-16, competing for the first, second, third and merit titles.

Ellie Lu, who was in the youngest group aged 4-7, won the Overall Champion. Lu's winning artwork featured the celebration of the Year of the Snake among Asian ethnic groups.

"This event is a heartfelt collaboration between APA Family Support Services and Happy Picasso Art Studio, aimed at nurturing creativity while honoring AAPI traditions," said Rose Chung, Chair of the Board of Directors at the APA Family Support Services. "We thank all the participants, families, sponsors and community members who helped make this celebration a success."

"The contest also served as a reminder of the importance of cultural understanding and unity. Children explored themes of friendship, family, and shared celebration, showing how traditions bring people closer," said Fanny Lam, Executive Director of APA Family Support Services. "Many artists also show a blend of AAPI culture that is unique in America. Others illustrated celebrating together with festival activities like dance, music, and lantern lighting through their lens.”

"The creativity and thoughtfulness in each piece was inspiring," Lam added. "We hope this art contest continues to spark appreciation and pride in AAPI heritage for years to come."