FULL DECK: Board art exhibit opens in skating capital of Carlsbad


As the curator of exhibitions at the William D. Cannon Art Gallery, Karen McGuire is used to art lovers calling to ask about upcoming exhibitions. But teenagers stopping by to ask? That's something new.

That's the kind of interest that "Full Deck: A Short History of Skate Art" is generating. The exhibit that opens Oct. 7 will have a wide variety of skateboard art, with 300 hand-painted and -designed decks by a number of the medium's best artists.

This isn't the first show of this kind in San Diego, but it is the first in Carlsbad, which many consider the skateboard hub of the county.

"In many ways, Carlsbad seems to be the center of skateboarding," McGuire said, pointing out that Carlsbad is known for famous skateboarders Tony Hawk and Danny Way, as well as the publishing headquarters of Transworld Skateboarding magazine. Plus, Mike McGill's Skateshop is in nearby Encinitas and the Magdalena Ecke Skate Park is a quick skate away.

"I see skateboarders everywhere," she said. "It's part of our culture in Carlsbad. That's why this exhibit seems to be a perfect fit. We've been talking about having a show like this for years."

This exhibit began at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek and has toured the country for the past three years. The Cannon is the final gallery to host the exhibit.

Included in the exhibit are photographs, paintings, commercial boards, prints, sculpture and video. But the decks are the main focus. Artists include Skip Engblom (co-founder of Zephyr Skate Shop and one of the characters in the film "Lords of Dogtown") and Oceanside artists Wes Humpston (co-founder of DogTown and Bulldog Skates). Pro skater Sam Cunningham contributed early '60s boards while Mark Whiteley (former editor of SLAP magazine) lent commercial decks.

Other contributions came from Hawk, McGill, Larry Balma (founder of the California Surf Museum), Jason Strubing, Metro Skate, Streetcorner Skate, Thrasher magazine, and pro skater Corey Duff. Photographers include Bryce Kanights and Tobin Yelland.

McGuire said she is impressed with the variety of art in a medium that she'd never explored before.

"It started with designs drawn on the bottom of boards and exploded from there," she said. "They are very creative. It's art without boundaries. (To curate the show) I had to start at ground zero and learn the culture. We have decks that are as large as a belly board down to the smaller popsicle boards."

It's a show that appeals to a wider demographic than many other exhibitions, she said ---- everyone from skaters all the way up to people who collect decks and spend thousands of dollars on this medium, which is just getting recognition as a unique platform for art.

"I think it does resonate with everyone a little," she added, "especially anyone who had a skateboard as a kid. Even if people aren't into skateboards, there is something to appeal to them. It's going to bring people in, but many will have no idea until they see the show that so much creativity is involved. I'm thinking of buying one. It's a relatively inexpensive way to have art on the wall."


