Artists display one of a kind skateboards across Hermosa
by Elka Worner
Art lovers criss-crossed Hermosa Beach Friday to check out 50 one-of-a-kind skateboards on display at downtown shops and restaurants.
“The streets were full on a chilly, blustery, February night,” said Tara McNamara, chair of Hermosa Beach Chamber’s Economic Development Action Committee.
“Families were walking around, kids were counting the boards and couples were hand in hand looking at the map,” she said.
The city-wide art installation, Boards Across Hermosa, paid tribute to the city’s skateboard history and culture.
Artist and skater Riley Roberts with her board at Underground. Photo by Michele Hampton
Local skateboarding legend Cindy Whitehead helped provide 50 random facts from Hermosa’s skating history as a source of inspiration for the artists. The artists ranged from professionals, whose works sell for thousands of dollars, to Hermosa Valley art students just discovering their talents, the Chamber said.
“It’s amazing to see what the artists have done with the skateboards,” Whitehead said. “The Art Walk generates traffic to local businesses and creates community.”
Skateboard by Alix Hixson. Board on display at Pedon’s Pizza. Photo courtesy of Boards Across Hermosa
Twenty-two year old artist and skater Riley Roberts displayed her artwork at the Underground Pub & Grill. She superimposed a photo of herself at the Hermosa Beach skatepark on her board, and spray painted a yellow anarchy symbol above her image and the word “skater” below it.
“I’ve always felt accepted at the skate park and supported by all the other skaters watching me learn,” the Hermosa Beach resident said.
The chamber provided a map of the installations along Pier and Hermosa avenues, which included restaurants Japonica, Zanes, and Pedone’s Pizza; and stores Soul Bungalow, Uncorked, Seymour Jewelers, Curious, and Powers Realty.
McNamara said the 50 boards will be on display at the shops and restaurants through St. Patrick’s Day. They will be auctioned at the Indivisible Art’s State of the Art Gala on April 20. Bids are now being accepted. Proceeds of each board is split evenly between the artists and HB Chamber Foundation. To bid on a board go to givebutter.com/c/boards or hbchamber.net.