Exhibition Opening: Thursday, September 16, 5–7 p.m.
Exhibition: September 16–November 24
Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza

Honoring the City's longtime community photographer, our next Art at City Hall exhibition — David Kawashima: Capturing Community — will feature the storytelling images of David Kawashima. 

During a meaningful career spanning many decades and most of Orange County, David Kawashima spent nearly 20 years as a City of Irvine photographer. David’s talent behind the lens was beyond technical, leading to images that captured the spirit of the community. From large events like the Irvine Global Village Festival to documenting major City milestones to photographing visitors on a trail at sunset, David captured the story behind the photo. His thoughtful and skillful work left us with a visual archive of community, place, history, and one another. David earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. His work was featured in numerous regional and nationwide publications. 

In addition to being a contract photographer for the City of Irvine, he also worked for notable clients including Kingston, Los Angeles  Times, ESPN, Orange County Metro, Orange County United Way, and Toshiba. Beyond his impressive résumé and professional accomplishments, David was a beloved brother, son, partner, stepfather, and friend to many. He was also an avid fan of the UCLA Bruins, a lover of music and animals, and a selfless caretaker to his family. This curated selection of David’s photography honors his contributions to the City. In the wake of his untimely passing in the spring of 2021, this exhibition reflects how integral he was to the community. 

City Hall is open to the public 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday. The exhibition and reception is free and open to the public.