What's being said about The Mission

“Dick Evans’ photo of the little girl in front of Mel Waters' mural captures a supreme innocence, moment in time. It captures the essence and heart of what we do and what we strive for with the Milagro Foundation; making a difference in the lives of children around the world. The photo of the mural with my likeness, lives and breathes on the streets of San Francisco’s Mission District, where I grew up. This mural and the others photographed by Dick, shows a vibrant community that is thriving and the pulse of the Mission District. To read his book and visit the people, colors and images is a journey into what the Mission’s culture once stood for and what it is evolving into.”
-Carlos Santana, musician

“Dick Evans' eye captures the incredible, multicultural, rich life of the people in el Barrio de La Mission. His colorful, amazing photos mirror our vibrant cultural celebrations, struggle for justice, delicious food, historical Victorian homes, murals that speak and tell our stories, lowriders, merchants, and our lifestyle.”—Roberto Y. Hernandez, executive director, Carnaval San Francisco

"As a long-time San Francisco resident, I thought I knew the large, south-easterly neighborhood called the Mission pretty well. But Dick Evans’ beautiful book of photography, The Mission, gave me much pause for reflection. . . . Evans’ focus on the kaleidoscopic murals of the Mission hone the readers’ eye in on what has remained steady and even grounding in a place that in many ways exemplifies the jagged edges of historical collisions. Evan’s photography has great clarity and power, and his subject choices make fascinating commentary and juxtapositions." —Mary Ellen Hannibal, author of Citizen Scientist and The Spine of the Continent

“With a history of conquistadors, missionaries, German, Irish, and Polish immigrants followed by Mexican families removed from the Rincon, then streams of people fleeing oppression from Central American dictators, and currently Silicon Valley folks spurring gentrification, the Mission District of San Francisco, with its Victorian Painted Ladies, its painted and graffiti murals, music and street festivals plus restaurants of all varieties, is a multicultural mix, a visitors' treasure hunt, and a photographer’s paradise.

“Dick Evans captures it all with a sharp eye and crisp photographs to take the reader on a magic carpet ride through the Mission.”—James Prigoff, author, photographer, and lecturer on worldwide urban murals

“Absolutely stunning (I can only imagine how hard it was to edit out the other 5000 + images – not to mention those lost in your mugged camera) ! Then to top it off with the poetic additions from the Mission residents and former residents is a lovely touch. When we opened our bookstore in Southern Oregon in the 1990’s , we began to shop all over the West Coast looking for quality used books. During that time we discovered all of the potential sources in the Mission. This is the Mission that is so well displayed in the book. Each page brought back memories of prowling Mission or Valencia Streets. The murals had begun at that time and the multicultural life was infectious. We loved those trips and we certainly have enjoyed reliving them in your 159 pages.” — Bryon and Sheryl Van Fleet, Retired Owners of The Basin Bookstore