- While skaters displayed their skills at WAG opening of Boarders X / Vernon Ah Kee: cantchant …
- … patrons of all ages were just 10 metres away creating art on skater sneakers.
Vans was a sponsor of the Boarder X and Vernon Ah Kee: cantchant exhibition opening at the Winnipeg Art Gallery on Nov. 18, with the shoe company donating 100+ pairs of Sk8 hi-top and authentic sneakers in all sizes. The shoes were all spoken for in less than an hour.
Those lucky enough to get a pair, created custom footwear in a 9′ x 12′ space with the help of Sharpie fabric markers.
Even though around the corner pro skaters from Red Riding media and Sk8 Skates were riding the half-pipe with throngs of people everywhere, the art makers were having fun creating.
Those who didn’t get shoes added their drawings to the graffiti wall.
More than 900 people of all ages attended this wildly successful event.
- Shoes were donated by Vans.
- 100+ pairs were decorated.
- Impressive designs were created.
The Boarder X exhibit includes contemporary art, weaving, carving and video by artists from Indigenous nations across Canada who skate, snowboard or surf.
It is paired with the National Gallery of Canada’s Vern Ah Kee: Cantchant exhibition featuring art and video by Australian Aboriginal artists who surf.
The exhibit runs till April 23.
- Colourful designs were the order of the day.
- Unique shoes were seen everywhere.
All photos and videos by Anne Hawe except for top left photo of skaters by Doug Kretchmer.