The Mission: Slideshow and Author Talk With Dick Evans

Mural Art in the Mission

Have you ever been wandering the streets of a familiar city and been suddenly struck with awe over a familiar piece of street art that you have passed many times, but only just now really saw?

Maybe there are pieces you pass every day and you have always wondered, who painted this? Why did they chose this subject, and this location? What is the story behind these images? How long did it take to finish?

For Dick Evans, questions like these became a rabbit hole to delve into. After decades of San Francisco residence, passing by artwork daily, he brought it all together in beautiful color photographs in The Mission.

Meet Photographer Dick Evans

During our celebration of Latinx Heritage, join us for a lecture and slide-show presentation with The Mission photographer Dick Evans:

• Wednesday, September 13 at 2:00 PM - Senior Coastsiders, opens a new window
• Saturday, September 16 at 2:00 PM - Atherton Library
• Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 PM - Foster City Library

The book contains artfully shot photos, and reflections by members of the community on what the Mission means; about its past, the present, and the future of this precious gem of a village. Some images are melancholy, some humorous, some rudimentary, others are influenced by fine art. All of the images are part of what has become an outdoor history and culture museum, free for anyone who would like to walk its streets and tiny alleys.

A Neighborhood in Transition

The Mission is the result of many hands coming together to celebrate and explore the Mission district of San Francisco, one of the last areas to resist homogenization by the tidal wave of techie influence in the last decade.

The Mission remains a true barrio, with mercados, carcinerias, Carnivale festivals, and amazing street art. Murals such as La Llorona, Santana, and Maestrapiece are just a few of the epic landscape of Mission culture. Dick Evans met with and photographed many artists and their art, and listened to the voices of the community.

Of course, nothing beats seeing the murals in person--either on your own, or with one of the organizations that offers guided tours (Precita Eyes, opens a new window, City Guides, opens a new window).

If you see Mission's murals in person, let us know what you think in the comments below.