Pages

July 8, 2009

Full Deck: a very cool show that celebrates the unconventional masterpieces of skateboard art comes to Walnut Creek’s Bedford Gallery


When Corey Duffel skateboarded in front of the Lesher Center at age 11, he would get a ticket. Now the Lesher Center’s Bedford Gallery is welcoming the pro skateboarder, who still lives in Walnut Creek, as a VIP for the grand opening party Thursday of its tres cool summer exhibition.

Full Deck: A Short History of Skate Art, through September 13, displays boards from numerous skateboard collections, including Duffel's, and showcases artist-rendered, hand-painted skateboard decks created from the 1960s to the present. In addition to Duffel, the custom and vintage boards also former pro skater Sam Cunningham and from skate shops such as Skateworks in San Ramon and Metro Board Shop in Pleasant Hill.

The decks highlight the sport, its history, and its eclectic , iconoclast culture. The decks are bright, colorful, and represent a variety of themes. Some make brash political or social commentary. Others depict more subdued urban street scenes of images of nature.

As reported by Diablo Arts, the magazine distributed at the Lesher Center, this is one of the first skate artwork-related shows in the Bay Area.


Duffel will be special guest of honor at the opening reception 6 to 8 p.m. and skateboard artist Sean Cliver will sign copies of his new book, The Disposable Skateboard Bible.


For more information about the exhibition, opening reception, or other events related to the show, call (925) 295-1417 or visit http://www.bedfordgallery.org/.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a good show. I will take my kids and probably some others. Bedford is a great place in town, many good shows, nice price and small size.

Great WC asset!

Martha Ross said...

I'll be taking my son to it. I was at the Lesher Center earlier this week, and popped in to see the show. There were some kids there, looking it over. Some of the decks are pretty amazing: colorful, suprising, irreverent designs. There are videos showing skateboarders in action. It seems like a good summer art show.