An Atlanta area art gallery just sold a custom-painted
skateboard for $3,550. Attendees of “The Grind”, a local art
show and auction held at Foundation One Gallery, were stunned by
the price. That same buyer also purchased a $1400 board that
night - all in the name of a Kennesaw fundraising event to
benefit the Swift Cantrell skatepark.
Artists from across the
country, as well as local artists and several from the UK,
contributed more than 60 works of art on the bottom of
skateboards. The painted boards were auctioned on December 8th
with all proceeds going to help fund the Swift Cantrell
Skatepark. The event was attended by an estimated 400
Atlanta-area art buyers, local artists, skateboarders, parents
and general supporters of the skatepark.
Organized and executed by the all-volunteer Swift Cantrell
Skatepark Committee, the event was developed to help raise funds
for the skatepark’s construction. The committee of six worked
tirelessly starting in May, pulling together and coordinating
with some of the top artists in the country including Todd
McFarlane, Shepard Fairey, Paul Frank and Nathan Ota.
“The artists were really enthusiastic about the project” said
Adam Wesolowski, chairman of the committee. “It took a lot of
hard work and long, late nights to pull off, but in the end, the
event couldn’t have gone better” continued Wesolowski.
Initial goals for the art show were to raise $10,000 through
auctioning off the works, and while some artwork is still for
sale and final numbers are being tallied, the committee
estimates sales of more than $20,000.
“There were some impressive sales that night,” Zak Cochran,
board member, noted that several boards sold for prices in
excess of $1,000. One piece in particular by the New York artist
collective named “Faile” sold for more than $3,500.
The skatepark committee is a group of area professionals
working with the city to help with funding efforts and
development of the skatepark in Swift-Cantrell Park.
“The average skateboarder is 14 years old, so they’re not
really in a financial position help fund a skatepark.” said
Steve Welsh, committee member. “Our intent is to help the City
meet some funding goals to make this park a reality for the kids
of our area”.
There has been tremendous public enthusiasm for the skatepark.
Estimated to cost $1,200,000, this world-class, 30,000 sq. foot
facility is being designed for beginners and advanced
skateboarders alike by Newline Skateparks. An internationally
renowned skatepark design firm, Newline is known for their
creative designs and eye for developing attractive public
spaces.
The skatepark committee has several ideas for creative
fundraising on the horizon. “The main focus going forward will
be gaining donations from area businesses,” said Welsh. “We’ve
already had several businesses donate to the skatepark, and we
hope to expand that in future months.”
OCTOBER
10th-
THE GRIND 2.o Skate Deck Art Show
