Skateboard: Evolution and Art - Exhibition January 8, 2010

Museum staff curator Michael Trotter curated and designed the exhibition in conjunction with guest curator legendary Z-boy Nathan Pratt and advisory committee members Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom (Zephyr co-founders), Cris Dawson (1966 Hobie Champ), Z-Boys Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, and 1980s world champion Christian Hosoi. The exhibition traces the evolution of boards from pre-1950 to the present showcasing the riders, designers, artists, and manufacturers that created the California phenomenon known as the skateboard. From the first planks of wood with metal roller skate wheels nailed to the bottom to the modern polyurethane wheels and kicktails, the boards have rocketed the skaters to greater heights of performance and style while taking sidewalk surfing from a homegrown activity to a worldwide cultural phenomenon. More than 300 rare boards from the worlds finest collections including the Skatelab, South Bay Skates, Santa Barbara Surf Museum, Ray Flores, Steve Slayer and Dale Smith collections will illustrate the timeline of skate history. Photographs and art by C.R. Stecyk III, Glen E. Friedman, Warren Bolster, Craig Fineman, Cesario Block Montana, Wynn Miller, Kevin Ancell, Mike McKee, Wes Humpston and more document the movement and its personalities. This is the first exhibition of the California skate movement to be shown in Dog Town, the Santa Monica/Ocean Park area where modern skateboarding was born and the skate became an art form. The California Heritage Museum is located in the vortex at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. A full series of events, including film screenings of Dogtown and Z-Boys, Skater Dater and Rising Son: The Christian Hosoi Story, will take place at the museum and the downtown Santa Monica Library. Talks, photo exhibits, special guest appearances and autograph sessions will take place throughout the exhibit run into 2010. The California Heritage Museum is a multi-cultural facility presenting exhibitions, lectures, publications and workshops that promote the history and cultures of the people that comprise our California community The show opens to the general public Opening: November 13, 2009 When: November 14, 2009 through May 30, 2010 Museum Hours: Wednesday Sunday, 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. For information contact the California Heritage Museum at (310) 392-8537.

Official Website: http://www.americantowns.com//events/skateboard-evolution-and-art-exhibition-2009-12-11