22nd and Taraval, San Francisco CA
In collaboration with Wah Mei and the Sunset Chinese Cultural District
2024
The mural was created through feedback from community members and elements of the daily Sunset neighborhood iconography. The segments are then pieced together to design one mural that discusses the vision of “Community Safety.”
Playgrounds, parks, children playing - A majority of respondents wished for images of playgrounds and parks, and children playing. Community Safety exists where children and families can gather and play outdoors, and residents of all ages can walk outside and enjoy what the neighborhood has to offer. The individuals in the mural show the diversity and inclusiveness of the neighborhood.
Dancers - Dancers of varying ages are shown in the image. Every year, the Sunset Chinese Cultural District hosts cultural festivals and creates a space for the community to gather. Two prominent Sunset-based Chinese dance groups include the San Francisco Happy Dance Troupe 三藩市广场舞队 and San Francisco Dancing Team 三藩市广场舞队.
The San Francisco Dancing Team 三藩市广场舞队 is one of the biggest dance troupes in San Francisco. They practice every weekend morning at the West Connect Sunset Playground behind the Ortega Library, located in the Sunset District. This group has won numerous local and international line dance competitions.
Nature (Peonies, Plum Trees, Bamboo) - “Nature” is the top imagery that respondents wished to see. Bamboo, a feature of various aspects of Chinese culture, represents the strength of the community. Peonies and plum trees are commonly symbols of resilience, which the mural represents the Parkside community overcoming the threats of the construction and the pandemic that have heavily impacted the neighborhood.
Sunset Colors (yellow, orange, red) - Warm Sunset colors (yellow, orange, red) are scattered throughout the mural design to bring light to the mural and is a nod to the name of the neighborhood, which is called The Sunset.
Sunset Houses and Front Lawns - Anyone who sees the houses with its unique front lawns know that these houses are located in the Sunset neighborhood.
People - You can recognize many of the individuals in the mural, whether or not you are familiar with their faces. Elderly Sunset Residents are depicted sitting outside enjoying the nice day while neighbors walking their dogs wave as they pass by. Young adults drinking boba together after school and a young man helping a elderly woman cross the street show that the Sunset is a multigenerational neighborhood that is inclusive and diverse.
Commercial Front - Taraval Street is one of many merchant corridors in the Sunset Neighborhood. Each commercial front serves the neighborhood and its various needs. A small commercial corridor front peeks out from behind the row of Sunset houses with plenty of parking for cars. On the other side of the mural is a cafe employee with long hair placing muffins on top of a tray that Romania who owns Tabitas Cafe on Taraval is carrying - which represents the small business owners and employees that serve the neighborhood.