Today we continue our 15-day countdown until Stoked on Spring, Stoked’s annual fundraiser that will take place on Wednesday, May 16th, at the Scholastic Greenhouse. Each day we are highlighting one piece of artwork that will be auctioned at the event, and today we feature the collaborative skateboard deck made by artist Jason Shelowitz and Stoker Jade. This deck, as well as 14 others that were also made by a professional artist – Stoked youth pair, will be sold along with a handful of fine art pieces, trips and experiences. All proceeds from the event will directly support our after-school program, Stoked Plus: Skateboard Build, in which students make a skateboard deck from scratch, completely by hand.
In progress...
Jason Shelowitz, aka Jayshells or Jay Shells, is a street artist, graphic designer, muralist, and fine artist. He has a massive mural on 8th Avenue between Horatio and West 13th Streets in the West Village and has been featured on a number of news shows that covered his street art, including his Subway Etiquette campaign and Etiquette street signs. After participating in the project, Jason said, “Painting this skateboard with Jade was a great experience. We really got to collaborate. She had articulate creative insight and shows real dedication to learning more technique. We did a lot of painting using pin-striping brushes, for example, and I promised her that she was most likely the only one of her friends to use this method for line work. Keep up the good work Jade!”
Jade is a freshman at the Institute for Collaborative Education, and recently completed making her own skateboard deck. Working with Jason, she reflected, helped her to discover her own artistic identity as well as understand the many styles and techniques that are out there. She continued, inserting herself as a future promoter for Jason, saying that “when he becomes famous I’ll get to say that I know him and I can brag about how amazing he is and what a great person/teacher he is. Go Jason!”
Putting the finishing touches on.
Support Stoked by coming to Stoked on Spring! Buy your tickets here. The Scholastic Greenhouse is located at 557 Broadway, New York, NY. The night will include music, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks, and will run from 7pm-10pm.
