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Art & Exhibits

Winning artworks in “Chinatown Through Children’s Lens" art contest on display from May to August at Chinatown Portsmouth Square Garage

Portia Li / 李秀蘭
Portia Li / 李秀蘭
May 28, 2023
40 winning artworks in the “Chinatown Through Children’s Lens" art contest is on display at Chinatown Portsmouth Square Garage from May to August this summer. Photo by Portia Li
40 winning artworks in the “Chinatown Through Children’s Lens" art contest is on display at Chinatown Portsmouth Square Garage from May to August this summer. Photo by Portia Li

(SAN FRANCISCO) APA Family Support Services is in partnership with Portsmouth Square Garage to co-host the Chinatown Through Children's Lens art contest. 40 young artists' winning artworks are on display from May to August as part of their events to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in May.

The children winning artwork exhibit is held on the first floor of the Portsmouth Square Garage in San Francisco Chinatown. The ribbon cutting opening ceremony took place on May 27.

The non-profit APA Family Support Services with headquarters in San Francisco Chinatown serves over 8,000 underserved children and families annually across the Bay Area and will celebrate its 36th anniversary in July.

Natalie Yuan's artwork wins the Champion Award at the Chinatown Through Children’s Lens art contest. Photo by Portia Li
Natalie Yuan's artwork wins the Champion Award at the Chinatown Through Children’s Lens art contest. Photo by Portia Li

Fanny Lam, Executive Director of APA Family Support Services, created the "Chinatown Through Children's Lens" art contest in 2022 and opened the competition to all children who live in the Bay Area. "This Bay Area-wide children's art contest is organized by APA Family Support Services to promote family values and encourage the children to engage the community in learning about the AAPI heritage," said Lam who also serves on the Board of Directors at Portsmouth Square Garage.

"Arts, culture, children and youth are among the funding priorities that the Board of the Portsmouth Square Garage supports," Jaynry Mak, Board President of the Portsmouth Square Garage said at the opening ceremony for the exhibit.

There were three different age groups in the art contest, ages 4 to 7, 8 to 11 , and 12 to 16. 260 entries were received and 40 winners were selected.

The young artists and winners join the exhibit opening ceremony at the Portsmouth Square Garage, including Nikki Wu (left), Champion Award winner Natalie Yuan (center), and Winson Chan. Photo by Portia Li
The young artists and winners join the exhibit opening ceremony at the Portsmouth Square Garage, including Nikki Wu (left), Champion Award winner Natalie Yuan (center), and Winson Chan. Photo by Portia Li

Three winners were selected in each age group. A top winner was selected for the Champion Award among the participating young artists in all age groups.

11-year-old Natalie Yuan of San Francisco was the Champion Award winner. Yuan painted about Chinatown's lion dance performance in her artwork with the historic buildings in the background, including the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), New Asia Restaurant and APA Family Support Services buildings.

Lion dance activities, Chinatown Gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, and the dim sim food were seen as the most popular themes in the young artists' winning artwork. It indicates that their experience visiting San Francisco Chinatown is also related to the culture and uniqueness of the oldest Chinatown in the country.