JAM Workshop
50th Anniversary

Once Upon A Time, 50 Years Ago . . .

In 1975, the JAM Workshop introduced an art concept fueled by a generation of artists seeking to use their art for social good. Simply entitled “community art,” it welcomed everyone regardless of their ability to pay or their level of skills.The JAM Workshop not only filled a need for community-based art classes and services; it founded a physical home where artists, supporters and students would gather, exchange ideas and collaborate.This workshop gave participants a place to begin and explore their creativity as well as advance their artistic visions. In this setting, artists at every level found practical ways to enhance their talents by serving their communities within and beyond Nihonmachi. By displaying their arts, many Asian American artists finally received recognition from the public in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.JAM's origins began when Boku Kodama received a $500 grant from San Francisco Neighborhood Arts in 1975 to launch the concept. Once funded, the city’s Redevelopment Agency permitted JAM to occupy its first home at 1852 Sutter Street (the present day home of JCCCNC).For the next 18 months, Boku, and four months later, Wes Senzaki and Ray Tasaki, renovated the second floor of the building (shared with CANE and the J-town Collective). Working nights and weekends, their goal was to create a multipurpose workshop focused on graphic arts, class space and a meeting place for artists.Word about the new workshop spread rapidly, drawing curious Asian American artists and supporters into J-town. For those who understood its purpose as a community movement, it resonated with social purpose and practicality. Each weekend, 12 to 18 volunteer artists came to clear out the debris, build and paint walls, retar the roof, install new electrical and plumbing and build furniture – even if they didn’t possess the skills.They were given on-the-job training by Boku who had taken a job as an apprentice handyman to learn the skills himself at Nihonmachi Terrace, a new low-income housing complex just two blocks away from JAM. There, he was trained by a extraordinary journeyman named Frank Takamoto. In turn, Boku trained the artists.In August, 1976, at the Nihonmachi Street Fair, JAM announced its grand opening with a booklet written by Boku and illustrated by Wes.The first wave of artists and supporters produced a massive mountain of artwork serving not only Japantown but the various communities of San Francisco and the Bay Area over the next three decades. Besides Wes and Ray, these artists included Rich Tokeshi, Leon Sun, Gail Aratani, Mitsu Yashima, Doug Yamamoto, Nancy Hom, Genny Lim, Chris Huang, Ock Eng, James Kuromiya, Wendy Yoshimura, Donna Kotake, Stephanie Lowe, Rich Wada, Boku Kodama and John Wong.

JAM Salon - Defining the Future of Art

News Flash! JAM at Nihonmachi St. Fair!

The history of Asian Americans during the last 50 years can be witnessed through the visual arts created from the JAM Workshop. Check it out by visiting our booth at the 2025 Nihonmachi Street Fair on August 2 and 3.This appearance will be the first and only time that JAM will attend the Street Fair, so please make it a point to visit us from 12pm to 4pm.Some of the most iconic images of Asian American history will be on display narrated by those who can provide eyewitness accounts. As a preview, a select few of these posters will be on sale at the 50th Anniversary commemoration on Saturday, October 11, 2025.However, a small supply of T-Shirts commemorating JAM's 50th Anniversary will be on sale at the Street Fair for $25. If you wait until the October 11 celebration, the price will go up to $30.If you want to purchase a T-Shirt to support our expenses, you can reserve yours by going to the "Contact" Section and emailing us with your name, contact info, your size and quantity.