Festivals
High Five
September 7, 2024
Edge on the Square presents High Five: Exploring the Elemental Forces of Chinatown, the third annual contemporary art festival on Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 3:00-10:00 PM. The festival centers on the theme of the five elements: Earth土, Fire火, Metal金, Water水, and Air气, and invites us to contemplate, explore, and engage with Chinatown through the prism of these fundamental forces. The artists are prompted to explore how the elements address and illuminate diverse facets of history, culture and sense of place.
Under the Same Sun
September 30, 2023
Edge on the Square presents Under the Same Sun: Reimagining the Edges of Chinatown, its second annual contemporary art festival, to celebrate the enduring radiance of San Francisco Chinatown. As constant as the sun, are the residents, community members, organizations who continue to rise, persist and shine in the face of adversity. The past year has yielded moments of darkness; extending from the war in Ukraine to polarized rulings by the US Supreme Court impacting Americans’ freedoms, civil rights and liberties. The overturning of Roe vs Wade, affirmative action, and support of discriminatory policies are poignant reminders that the critical work for social justice and equity are continuous and ongoing.
Neon Was Never Brighter
April 30, 2022
Neon Was Never Brighter reflects on Chinatown’s fortitude - by honoring its unique history and diverse cultural landscape. It affirms an initiative of optimism and hope for the future. Despite the severe challenges of the past and current years, the neighborhood's tenacity and resilience endure. Neon is a metaphor for Chinatown’s brightness and strength – a “light” that is embodied by and reflected through the people. As such, the festival’s title is Chinatown's self-proclamation that it has never shined brighter against the darkness of adversity because its light is from within. Neon Was Never Brighter focuses on the notion of Chinatown “personified.” It celebrates this unique neighborhood identity by symbolically giving it a face, body and voice.
Edge on the Square is dedicated to bringing together diverse artists and creative professionals. Our signature event is our annual contemporary art festival, which showcases the work of established and emerging artists. The festival is the first of its kind in Chinatown and features a variety of vendors, merchants, art installations, performances, and food throughout the area. Our festivals are collaborative and multidisciplinary, celebrating both multi-cultural and inter-cultural connections.