Deck Art Highlights Skateboard Artists

From The City of Rochester: This year, over 450 artists from all over metro Detroit, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania as well as over 55 downtown Rochester businesses are participating in Deck Art 2017. In its seventh installment, Deck Art 2017 is a skateboard art competition and exhibition. Artists submit one-of-a-kind artwork using skateboard decks as a canvas. These decks will be on display in downtown Rochester businesses beginning May 11, and will be celebrated with a two-day event on May 11 and 12.

The Thursday Night Kickoff will take place on May 11 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Attendees will preview Deck Art 2017 and enjoy street-side musical performances by Jennifer Kincer & Friends. Kids can also partake in a craft activity located outside 308 Main.

Deck Art 2017 will continue Friday, May 12 with the official Competition and Exhibition Crawl from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. The Crawl will begin at any participating business where attendees and artists can pick up the official “Crawl” maps. Artists aren't informed of their artwork's placement, so they must “crawl” from business to business until their artwork is found.

A panel of judges from Painting with a Twist (Rochester Hills location) will select one winner from the five categories – elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and adult. Winning decks will be identified with a special ribbon. The kids’ craft will continue outside of 308 Main and there will be a special performance by the Saline Fiddlers from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the corner of E. Fourth & Main.

“Deck Art continues to grow and evolve year after year,” said Stephanie Hellebuyck, events coordinator at the Rochester DDA. “It’s expanded from an event that originally took place in just two downtown businesses, and we are honored that the previous owner of Deck Art, Linda Gallaher has let the event continue with the Rochester PSD.

A list of participating businesses who will display artwork can be found at DowntownRochesterMI.com. All artists have the option to sell their artwork. Specific details will be listed next to each deck. For more information, please call the Downtown Rochester at 248.656.0060.

Image Courtesy of The City of Rochester