“A Chinatown Dream” mural unveiled to celebrate Portsmouth Square Garage serving the community in Chinatown for 60 years

(SAN FRANCISCO) A new mural, “A Chinatown Dream”, and the calligraphy art of blessing（福）were unveiled on February 3 in a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Portsmouth Square Garage in San Francisco Chinatown and Lunar New Year.

The Portsmouth Square Garage is a city owned public parking garage. Members of its Board of Directors are formed by Chinese community leaders. Currently eight members of the board are President Jaynry Mak, a lawyer and Dim Sim restaurant owner, Vice President Nancy Lim-Yee, a childcare service leader, Secretary Rose Chung, founder of the Miss Asian USA Pageant, Treasurer Fanny Lam, Executive Director of APA Family Support Services, Steven Lee, Port Commissioner and Chinatown business owner, Lydia So, a licensed architect, Betty Louie, leader of the Chinatown Merchants Association, and Tony Lau, a licensed civil engineer and business owner.

The Portsmouth Square Garage was built beneath the Portsmouth Square park and opened to the public in 1962. Members of the Board of Directors launched a year-long celebration for its 60th anniversary starting in 2022 and continuing to 2023.

The mural was a collaboration between the Portsmouth Square Garage Board of Directors and artist Nancy Mora. Mora created the mural which was sponsored by the Portsmouth Plaza Parking Corporation Community Participation Fund.

"My love for Chinatown began when I was a John Yehall Chin Elementary School student in the early 90s. Lion dancing and celebrating the Lunar New Year are my earliest childhood memories," said Mora who began the mural painting on September 9, 2022.

Two historic and iconic building structures, Trademark Pagoda Tower and Saint Mary's Church, as well as the famous Dragons Gate in San Francisco Chinatown were included in the mural painting. Lions dancers, who always perform at Chinatown's events and festivals, and the Chinatown street musicians were part of Mora's childhood memories to be included in the mural.

The mural can be seen at the second level of the garage which is also the main entrance of the garage to welcome the visitors.

The calligraphy art of blessing （福）is also new to the Portsmouth Square Garage and part of the project to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the parking garage.

In Chinese culture, the blessing character represents good luck, good fortune and prosperity. The calligraphy art of blessing was created by calligrapher Zejie Zhang and his student Kevin Lu. The blessing artwork can be seen at all levels of the garage.

The ceremony was attended by community members, activists and leaders. "This event gives the Board Members of Portsmouth Plaza Parking Corporation the opportunity to thank our community leaders who are significantly contributing to the revitalization of Chinatown with services to our residents, events to welcome visitors, and their dedication to the community," said Rose Chung, Board Secretary who is one of the organizers of the ceremony.