GardenSK8 Set for Graffiti Art Show—Again

A fundraising art show to help a Pine Brook indoor skate park rebuild after Hurricane Irene flooding was postponed by another weather event—last Saturday's freak October snow storm.

After Hurricane Irene flooded on Changebridge Road with 2 feet of water, owner Todd Schwartz to raise funds for reconstruction and to officially reopen the park.

The art show was scheduled for last Saturday, but the snow storm downed trees and wires throughout the town and northern New Jersey, causing widespread power outages and road closures.

"All you could do at that point is laugh," said Schwartz, a Towaco resident.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Saturday and is expected to draw hundreds of artists, skateboarders, families and art enthusiasts.

The evening's festivities are scheduled to include a skate art show, a silent auction that includes items signed by pro skateboarders and a hip hop dance party to be filmed and shown on MTV2's "Sucker Free Sundays," according to a news release about the event.

Skate and graffiti artists participating in the show include Mike Die, Robots Will Kill, Doctor Crab and Joe Iurato. Venomous, DJ Priority and Animal Crackas are scheduled to provide the musical entertainment.

There is no admission fee, but the park is requesting a $5 donation to go toward ongoing skate park repairs.

The flood damaged sheetrock walls. As a result, murals by leading graffiti artists that adorned the walls had to be ripped down. Metal transition strips rusted and the retail shop had to be dismantled entirely. Schwartz canceled camp sessions and refunded tuition.

Schwartz still doesn't know how much of the damage will be covered by his landlord's insurance.

"We've been working with donations and volunteers," he said.

Artist Ray Demer Llopiz and Schwartz appeared on CBS last Friday, the day before the show originally was scheduled. (See the segment here.)

For more information visit GardenSK8's website, email info@gardensk8.com or call 917-597-3180.