Art and Skateboarding Come Together for Downtown Rochester Shops' Unique Contest

An artist knows just about anything can be a blank slate.

Canvas. Paper. Walls. Sidewalks.

Skateboards.

That's the intended drawing board for a contest sponsored by two downtown business owners who each have a love of both skateboarding and art.

"Music and art and skateboarding, they're all part of a culture, they all just go together," said Christine Laikind, owner of . "There are inner-connections there; this contest highlights that."

The First Annual Skateboard Art Competition is open to middle and high school students, college students and adults. Participants are invited to use their imaginations to turn a plain wooden skateboard into a work of art. There will be prizes and an artists' reception. In the end, artists will be able to keep their boards.

"The downtown has been encouraging businesses to do work together on events, and this seemed perfect," said Linda Gallaher, who owns South Street Skateshop and with her husband, Von.

Firebrick and South Street are sponsors of the event.

Here are the details:

• Participants must register by April 8. Registration involves filling out an entry form and paying a $20 registration fee, which covers the costs of the board. Forms and money must be turned in to Firebrick Gallery.
• Blank decks will be available for pickup April 15 at South Street Skateshop. 
• The finished decks are due May 18 at Firebrick.
• Artwork may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, but needs to be able to be hung on a wall. Any medium is accepted — paint, pencil or beyond.

A reception to show off the skateboard art is planned for May 20 and is open to the public. Winners will be announced at the reception.

There will be cash prizes for first, second and third places; an honorable mention will receive a t-shirt. Judges are Joe Ferry, a mural artist at South Street Skateshop, Chase Golematis of and Laikind. 

Laikind plans to design a skateboard in preparation for the contest; she was an avid skateboarder as a girl. "And then I had to grow up," she said.

She said she hopes for at least 50 entries, along with a variety of ideas and inspiration from the artists.