Uncle Bob’s Neighborhood advances the vision of local activist Bob Santos’ of a thriving and intact Chinatown International District (CID) that prioritizes and uplifts the communities that created it. Uncle Bob’s work protected this neighborhood and made it strong. This project doesn’t just honor his legacy, it furthers his legacy. Together, we will further his integral work of ensuring that the CID remains a home, a safety net, a big karaoke bar where ideas, ambition, and people thrive.

The back wall of the community room space will feature a 7’ tall by 11’ wide, bright collage portrait mural by renowned Filipino artist, Eliseo Art Silva.

The Four Seas restaurant (open 1962 – 2018) was a home to Uncle Bob and other key activists, local sports teams, and too many local families to count. Collective action efforts were planned, holidays were celebrated, and many stories were shared here. The Four Seas exhibit will feature the Four Seas historic neon sign, stories from employees and guests, and its history.

A 59’X23’ collaborative mural currently occupies the Northeast wall featuring artwork by 4 local artists and a photograph by a local photographer.

Akira Ohiso’s bright mural features a megaphone, honoring Bob’s legacy of advocacy and “passing the microphone” to new generations of activists and advocates who will gather in this space.

Lawrence Pitre’s piece, ‘We are Americans!’ honors the prolific artist Jacob Lawrence and captures the complex emotions around displacement and increased investment to sustain culture in its true meaning and form.

Travis Suzaka’s artwork features stalks of bamboo that represent interconnected communities, intersectional identities, and a nod to Bush Garden where the artist’s mother worked.

Camille Trautman’s black and white photos layer multiple images of moments captured in local homes into single exposures, embracing the unseen and unknown details of the private lives of community members.

Eugene Minoru Tagawa’s historic photograph of Bob Santos during a march as part of the “Humbows Not Hotdogs!” advocacy campaign grounds the entire piece.

A large 40’X46’ mural of Bob Santos designed by Bob’s son, John Santos, and painted by Tom Blayney with assistant, Josh Lihs, occupies the West Side of the building facing I-5.

“The fact that Bob’s son designed the logo, and you have that huge visage of Bob literally keeping an eye on the CID is so perfect both metaphorically but also personally. He would be very, very proud.” – Sharon Tomiko Santos

12 local artists were selected from submissions of art proposals to design 12 different balcony railings. Each artist grounded their design with a theme chosen from a list of human rights issues that Bob was passionate about.

The completed metalwork balconies feature designs depicting the following themes:

• Intergenerational relationships
• Bob’s advocacy work
• Worker’s rights
• Cross-community relationship building, heritage, international struggles, expression

The floor of the Community Room and the exterior patio leading into the space will feature terrazzo floor artwork inspired by the map of the International District and the walking tour Uncle Bob famously used to turn visitors, politicians, business owners, and more, into invested advocates of the Chinatown International District. Printed fliers will lead people on their own Uncle Bob’s walking tour of the neighborhood.

Drag and Drop Creative is designing artwork which will overlay the glass windows in Uncle Bob’s Community Room. Each cling will function as “window” into the past, showcasing the untold stories, historic figures, and cultural icons who shaped the Chinatown-International District and beyond. Through vibrant visuals and thoughtful design, these installations aim to honor legacy, ignite curiosity, and visually connect our everyday environment to the powerful histories that made this community what it
is today.