Andrew Davis really loves skateboards, and last weekend he was banking on the fact that he wasn’t alone.
The 22-year-old artist traveled all the way from Detroit to East Williamsburg with his art show “Good Wood,” and all in the name of something that is truly good – charity. His exhibition of 50 custom-made decks by artists from Detroit and New York opened in style at 3rd Ward last Saturday. Sports and art-lovers made an appearance and participated in the live auction that benefited Stoked, which mentors teens through action sports.
“It wasn’t my idea, actually, and I lost a lot of money doing it, but it definitely felt better helping out. It had more meat to it,” admitted Davis, who teamed up with Alldaybuffet, an organization that unites social and creative efforts, to put on the show. “I really wanted to curate an event that had really good art, skateboards, and where people could hang out.”
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As far as the entertainment value of the show, Davis was definitely successful. People didn’t let the art space’s out-of-the-way location stop them from trekking out for the festivities.
“We have a surprising amount of people come to events here. You wouldn’t believe how many because it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere,” said Jesi Bender, facilities manager of 3rd Ward who was working the front desk that night.
She’s right about that. While walking to the show, I took so many wrong turns down scary back allies that I almost didn’t make it there myself. Boy was I lit up with glee – and maybe just a little embarrassed – when I was welcomed at the door by the overspill of people out smoking or getting some air on 3rd Ward’s front steps. But once there, I could see what all the fuss was about. Funky skate-decks lined the walls and hung from the ceiling, each with unique designs. There was also a DJ playing music, a photo booth, and a dark room in the back where people danced to the light of a movie projection.
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Skateboard decks weren’t the only things on display that evening. Film director and photographer Josh Stewart had a large piece up that night, as did professional skateboarder and artist Bobby Puleo. Stewart’s untitled work was a web-like sprawl of framed photographs that were all connected to one of his skateboard films.
“Videos are what skateboarding is centered around,” said Stewart, who lives in Brooklyn and rented a studio in 3rd Ward in order to create the piece.
On the wall adjacent to Stewart’s work were works by pro skateboarder Bobby Puleo, who said that Davis asked him to be involved in the show and he gladly said yes. He couldn’t help it. He loves skateboarding.
“Skateboarding – you get addicted to it,” said Puleo. “Some people are naturally inclined, but it’s more like an addiction.”
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Did some of the “addicts” present that night show real purchase power, I wondered? According to 3rd Ward’s Marketing Director Nikki Bagli, they were pleased with the auction’s results. They sold seven boards; three to one person and the other four were bought individually.
“We did very well,” said Bagli. “I think we’ll sell a lot, the rest of them hopefully, online. All of the pieces are priced very well so it’s a great opportunity for new art collectors.”
Was Stoked happy?
“They were very excited,” continued Bagli. “A lot of people from Stoked were there that night and they were thrilled. We actually brought the idea to them.”
To purchase a board of your own, go to www.alldaybuffet.org. The exhibition will be up at 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Avenue) until August 10.
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