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Photo Exhibition
Since August 2022, the garage has hosted a rotating exhibition inside its walls, free to see, celebrating Chinatown’s culture and the history of Portsmouth Square. Local nonprofits, schools, artists, and community groups are welcome to apply to exhibit.
Now on view, September 25 to December 25, 2026
Centennial Overseas Chinese Legacy · Chronicles of Portsmouth Square
For more than a century, Portsmouth Square has been the heart of San Francisco Chinatown, the place the community calls its living room. Generations of Chinese immigrants have gathered there for celebrations, memorials and community meetings.
With the square closed for renovation until 2028, four Chinese American photographers, Frank Jang, David Huang, Ben Chan and Minxiong Li, have put together a collection of photographs that tells its story. The exhibition is at the entry level and free to see whenever the garage is open.
Opening day, September 25, 2026
Opening day photos by Alvin Tang, except the mooncake table.
Earlier displays
Past exhibitions
Children’s art, community photography and historic Chinatown images from earlier exhibitions.
Community Exhibition Program
Show your work here
The exhibition space sits at the entry level, in full view of everyone walking in from Kearny Street. We give it to the neighborhood. There is no charge to exhibit and no application fee.
Who can apply
Local nonprofits, schools, artists, and community groups. Proposals from artists and organizations working together are especially welcome.
When we review
Applications are open year round. The Board reviews them at its meetings, roughly every two months, and you will hear back within 30 days.
What we show
Local art, community history, student projects, and Chinatown culture. Each exhibition runs for at least two months.
Applications
How to apply
Everything goes through one online form. If something in it does not fit your project, or you need the form in another format, write to us and we will work it out.
- Tell us about the projectA description of up to 300 words, who the artist or organization is, and how to reach you. If you have a preferred date, say so.
- Show us what it will look likeTwo to five images: sketches, mockups, sample posters, or past work. This is the part the Board leans on most, because it is how they picture the work on the wall. JPG or PDF, under 10 MB in total.
- Say how it goes upAn installation plan and a list of materials. Your group installs and removes the work at times we agree together.
Supporting documents and any questions go to marketing@sfpsg.com.
Before you apply
What the Board looks for, and what we ask of you
How proposals are chosen
Two things carry the most weight: whether the work benefits this community, and whether it connects to Chinatown culture, sustainability, or young people.
What hangs well here
Posters, illustrations, and other lightweight visual work suited to a public space. Installations have to be safe and durable, and they cannot block a walkway.
Looking after the work
The exhibiting group handles repair, replacement, and upkeep for the run of the show, and takes the work down at the agreed time.
Getting the word out
We announce each new exhibition through a press conference and our social media, and the space can carry a plaque or poster naming the project and everyone behind it. We hope you will share it through your own channels too.
See it in person
The exhibition is inside the garage at 733 Kearny Street, free to view whenever we’re open.
Getting here