Art show featuring skateboards to benefit local autism nonprofit

Long Beach Skate Company, 3142 East 7th St., will host a skateboard art show as a fundraiser for the nonprofit group Autism in Long Beach. The event will kick off a series of art shows that will be presented at the skateboard shop. This first show will feature 11 artists showcasing their work in a mixed-media platform.
“There is an innate connection between skateboard and art cultures, and our goal is to unify these worlds in a unique way,” said Tim Scanlan, owner of Long Beach Skate Company.
All the artists are presenting their style on skateboard decks. There will also be a mix of art on other media as well, to include canvas, photography, and more. Long Beach Skate has recently expanded to a larger store with ample space to display the art in a proper art gallery layout, according to Scanlan.
Although it will focus on several artists, the show will mainly be centered on the art of legendary professional skateboarder Duane Peters. “Duane has been a professional skateboarder since the late 1970s and is well known for his ‘skate fast, live hard’ lifestyle,” Scanlan said. “As a Long Beach resident, Duane can be spotted frequently around town. He will be showing off his artistic style at this show, and it will be very fitting to his punk-rock ethos.”

The other artists who will be shown represent an array of styles that include street art, comic-book art, tattoo-style art and character art. Artists include Help Desk, Saint, Rhett Johnson, Jason Agan, Bishop, Tani Person, Jay, Francis, Ian Bork and Tyler Thys. “These artists have been a part of many other galleries throughout the country, from Chicago, Seattle, and Atlanta,” Scanlan said. “We are lucky to have them all showcase their talents at our show.”
Scanlan said his shop has worked with Autism in Long Beach in many different ways. “As a local skateboard shop in Long Beach, it is our honor and privilege to give back to our community,” he said. “Being that April is Autism Awareness Month, we believe it is important to raise money for this great cause.” Autism in Long Beach is a grassroots, community-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status pending. It was founded in 2010 by Jane Tipton, a single parent of four, when her youngest son Tafari was diagnosed with autism.
The art show’s opening will be Saturday April 14 from 7pm to 11pm, and it will feature DJ Retro Slam spinning an all-vinyl set of an eclectic fusion of international and local sounds. The art will be sold from $50 and up.

More Information
facebook.com/lbskate
autisminlongbeach.org