Dropping in... The History of the Jacksonville Skate Scene @ Beaches Museum & History Center

An exhibit at the Beaches Museum & History Center Celebrating the Colorful Heritage of “The Jacksonville Skate Scene” will be an exciting display of Jacksonville’s rich skateboard history. Originally, skateboarding was created and influenced by surfers seeking any inclined concrete surface on which to recreate the sensation of “riding the waves” on land. Hills, driveways, parking garages and ultimately empty swimming pools provided the ideal terrain to satisfy the wave starved surfer during flat spells. Consisting of vintage photos, videos and skateboard equipment, you will be amazed at the impact Jacksonville had on the skateboarding industry, locally and nationally. The exhibit will open on June 10 and run through August 28, 2010. A “Grand Opening Party”will be on June 12, 2010 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. In attendance at the Grand Opening Party will be Jacksonville’s biggest Skate legends such as Jimmy Plumer, George Wilson, Buck Smith, Mike Peterson, Todd Johnson and many more. “Special Guest” appearances of Jay Adams, original Z-Boy, plans to be there too. At the special event a documentary will be featured detailing the origins of the “Rattown” crew, as well as The Z-East Team, the Dogtown connection, the evolution of Kona Skatepark and more, produced and presented by local professional surfer and skateboarder Mitch Kaufmann. A special Induction Ceremony by “The Florida Skateboard Hall of Fame” is also being planned in conjunction with the Grand Opening Party. An award ceremony for a surf/skate contest scheduled for earlier that day will also take place. Call 904-241-5657 for details.

This exhibit and event will be dedicated in honor of Bob Biniak, a great friend and original Z-Boy, who suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting here in February 2010. This special event made possible through Atlantic Video owned by Mitch Kaufmann.

Mark your calendars NOW for this Exciting and Original exhibit and Grand Opening Party, Saturday, June 12, 2010. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Free food, cash bar and lots of FUN! Tickets on sale at the Beaches Museum & History Center located at 380 Pablo Ave, Jacksonville Beach, Fl 32250 or ON-LINE using PayPal at www.bm-hc.com. For more information call 904-241-5657.

Photo - George Wilson doing an edger on the Kona Tombstone, 1977

I'M BOARD IV @ 229 Hogan St, February 3rd 2010

The gallery at 229 Hogan street is a magical place. With a great location right on the southwest corner of hemming plaza, the location really can't be beat. If you might happen to walk past the entrance on any random day, you may not notice it at all. Looking at the building, you'll see glass windows on a narrow foyer facing the street. A couple of paintings on the wall, and a small staircase leading up along the right side wall. As you walk up the staircase though, you'll follow masking tape arrows pointing you to the loft. These arrows will lead you up multiple stairways in a serpentine manner, adequately building your anticipation on what you may find when you get there. It's an adventure.

Heading out to I'M BOARD IV at 229 Hogan last night was an adventure alright--much more so than I could have anticipated. Upon walking into the room at 7:00, I saw wall-to-wall people. Hundreds of familiar faces, and even more new faces littered the crowd. The walls were PACKED with art. I can only imagine the pain that went into hanging each and every piece. Boards were hung along the walls with little or no room to spare, some in rows of 2 or 3. One board was set up on the floor with a built-in TV screen and a gamecube running Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. There were silkscreened boards, boards with metal sculpted and welded together, hand painted boards, and more than a couple boards decorated in ways I have no ways to describe. In the center of the room, Red Bull had the DJ Setup with music playing and people breakdancing in the center of the room.

After the crowds slowed and more room was available, a flatground session broke out along the back wall of the gallery, with plenty of familiar faces. From what I can tell, the show was an amazing success, and I was pleasantly surprised to see just how large the art scene is here in Jacksonville. People have lots of hate to talk about our town, especially people living here, but last night it was nothing but love, and I was really glad to be there. In closing, I'd like to thank Chad Landenberger for an amazing show, everyone who submitted work for the show, the skateboarders who showed up, and Brock and Erin at Arturo for help with the photos. I can't wait for next year.

Erin and Broc from Arturo had a great boards.

Fuck art, lets skate. Glad you made it in, Craig!

If you look closely at this board, you'll see the painstaking detail. Each dot of ink perfectly placed to form the picture you see here. Art by Giovanni Murrell of Hail Mary Skateboards

Board by Ben Davis

This one had a fabric pattern.

For more images from the show, check out ArturoClothing.com, or check back for more updates on this post.

Artwalk Tonight! I'M BOARD Skateboard Art Show, BusStop Booze Cruise Episode 1!

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Don't forget! Also, for those above the legal age, the BusStop Booze Cruise happens tonight! If you have a cruiser board and a hankering for ambulatory inebriation, get on board! Work out the details in the chat box.

Benefit Show for Families of the Links Apartments

If you haven't heard, a couple of weeks ago lots of people lost just about all they had in a fire that happened at The Links Apartments. This is how you can help them get back on their feet.

Chad Landenberger: I'M BOARD IV

An Interview with Chad Landenberger: I'm BOARD IV

First off, tell me a little bit about what I'M BOARD IV is all about.

I’M BOARD IV is the 4th annual skateboard art show I’m putting on, and it consists of artwork on skate decks. It’s an open submission so anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in the show. It’s a show that combines two of my biggest influences: skating and art.

What first inspired you to create "I'm Board"? Was the idea all your own?

I had wanted to put on a large scale, general submission art show for some time and always thought a skateboard deck would make a great uniform canvas for people to work on. After getting some positive feedback on the idea from some friends, it gave me the push I needed to get the show together.

There have been various deck shows throughout the world so it’s not a very original idea, but Jacksonville didn’t have anything like that going on, and there is a pretty healthy skate scene here so I just ran with the idea of a skateboard art show.

How long have you been interested in skateboarding?

I remember going to a birthday party at a skating rink and instead of rollerskating I watched the Bones Brigade “Search for Animal Chin,” and after that I was hooked. A few years later my family moved to Arizona, and my neighbor had a mini ramp and gave me my first board when I was in 6th grade. So you could say I’ve been interested in skating most of my life. It’s definitely had a big impact on me, though I don’t skate nearly as much as I used to.

After seeing the work on display at I'M BOARD 4 on display, I was pleasantly surprised. Were there any specific pieces you can single out as your favorites?

Over the years there have been so many I don’t think I can pick a specific favorite, but I did get two awesome ones last year. One from Jesse Gay, it’s an old school shaped deck with just barely a kicked up nose. It has a stencil of a kid wearing an Indian headdress. It’s simple looking but when you get up close you realize the black lines are stencils and not paint strokes – I just really dig it. The second one I got last year was from Jeanne Ciasullo. It’s an acrylic painting of a female face with a hot pink background. It looks like it could be the album art of some indie/electro band. I wish I would have bought some from the first 2 shows as well, but I’ll try to take some home this year.


There were a lot of things on display last time around. Have you ever had to turn anyone away from entering?

So far every piece that has been submitted has been displayed. I’m always scared that only a few pieces will be turned in and I’ll only be showing 20 or so pieces. Then, usually the day of the deadline I get 80 submissions and people calling me asking for an extension, and a lot of scrambling goes on with people turning pieces in at the last minute.

Thanks Chad! Can't wait for the show!

I'M BOARD IV will take place on Wednesday, February 3rd from 5-9 at 229 N. Hogan St. during Art Walk. If you are interested in submitting work for the show, more info can be found here.

Some Highlights From Last Year's Show:

Click on the links below the images to go to their respective galleries.

From Flickr User Photo Schmoto

From Flickr User PointShootEnjoy

229 North Hogan Street, 32202

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I'M BOARD 4 - the 4th Annual Skateboard Art Show

I'M BOARD 4. The 4th Annual Skateboard Art Show

Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in this open call for entries in the 4th annual I’M BOARD Skateboard Art Show.

Submission Guidelines:

• All art must be on a skateboard deck.

• Any medium can be used but take into consideration that these will be hung so please do not make them to bulky or heavy for display.

• An artist may submit more then one piece.

• Include your name, number, email address and price on the back of your work.

• Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 27. Submissions may be dropped off at BURRO Bags

located at 1520 N. Main St. Jacksonville, FL 32206

Monday - Saturday 12-6pm

For more info, go to www.eyeswideawake.com/im-board.

If you missed it, this is what went down at the last show:

Im Board 3 Skateboard Art Show at Art Walk from Chris Jolly on Vimeo.