Art Show, Makers' Market To Benefit Greenport Skate Park Coming Soon

GREENPORT, NY — Efforts to breathe new life into the Greenport Skate Park continue Saturday at an Art Exhibition and Makers' Market featuring the large murals created in vivid color by graffiti artists — created at a festival recently to benefit the facility — which will be auctioned off.

The event features the 22 canvases that were completed at the Sound & Skate Festival — as well as vendors, a DJ, light snacks and spirits, said Rena Wilhelm, one of the volunteers who's worked to organize efforts.

The event takes place Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Greenport American Legion, located at 102 3rd Street.

"There are a few facets to skate culture worldwide, amongst them are street art and graffiti. Once considered an underground form of art, street art has emerged as a strong force within the mainstream, "Wilhelm said. "Our post-festival Art Exhibition & Auction will feature the 22 canvases that were completed in August."

In partnership with the Better World Organization, both patrons of the event and outsiders can view the auction online here and place their bids. Bidding ends at 9 p.m. at the close of the event.

The original canvases created by graffiti artists in August are currently hanging on display at the George D. Costello, Sr. Roller Rink in Greenport, for those who wish to see them in real life before the auction ends.

The event is the latest to support the Greenport Skate Park. In August, the skate park came alive with new energy and vision Saturday at the "Sound & Skate Festival" aimed at raising funds for ongoing work to repair the skate park and refurbish the facility, and also to redesign the space so that it can grow to meet new needs.

The festival, which brought an exuberant crowd out for the fun, included skating contests, 100 vendors and food, live music, and a graffiti and mural contest featuring 25 artists.

According to Wilhelm, who is also, owner of The Weathered Barn, the skate park was built in 1998. In 2008 a series of yearly festival fundraisers kicked off to raise money to fix up the park "because it needed a little TLC," she said.

Those early festivals featured skate competitions, music, a DJ, and food, and brought out the community for a day of fun.

But time and a pandemic has left the park "seriously in need of repair, posing several structural risks to skaters," Wilhelm said. "The park has been littered and vandalized" and needed an infusion of love and community care, she said.

"One of our local youths, Dane Jensen, asked his mom to reach out to the community in 2019, after seeing recent graffiti that really upset him. After seeing this plea, I said, 'Let's figure this out and let's do this,'" Wilhelm said.

Wilhelm added: "Our mission has always been to not just promote the sport, but the fashion, music, and entrepreneurial avenues that surround skate culture. The skating culture is incredibly diverse and one of the most accepting groups I have ever seen. All people want to do is skate and have a good time," she said.

Wilhelm added: "It's a 'come as you are, we welcome you with open arms' type of culture and it was my privilege to work on behalf of our community. We are a family and it is ever-growing. It is really a movement we are creating out here, where everyone can feel represented."

While she had no idea, at first, what efforts would entail, Wilhelm said she had experience curating vendors for the Maritime Festival and many relationships with local artists given the nature of her business.

"To revive the festival into a major event, was the best chance at bringing out community together and bringing attention to the fact that the park needs funds to not only restore it, but to redesign aspects of the parks to reflect the newer trends in skateboarding, quad skating, inline skating, scooters and BMX bikes," she said.

"This has been exclusively a grass roots movement with a small team of volunteers that has not only expended intensive labor, but also their own personal money," Wilhelm said.

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard applauded the ongoing efforts. "I think they are doing great work and can't wait to see what new fixtures they have planned," he said. "It is a good thing for everyone that uses the park or just watches the kids having fun and learning more tricks. I wish them well and good luck with raising awareness of the park — and also, with raising funds for improvements."

The group organized and created the Greenport Skate Park Inc., a nonprofit organization. But, while efforts have been ongoing, more help is needed, Wilhelm said.

"There is just not nearly enough money in the budget to account for the park's state of disrepair. It might take us a while, but we push forward, bringing awareness and soliciting sponsorship and other fundraising options," she said.

Wilhelm was candid about discussing the challenges the group has faced so far in garnering support for fundraising efforts.

"It can be disheartening sometimes when people don't see the value in the skate park. Skate parks suffer from many generalizations," including a stereotype as a place for illicit behavior, she said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," Wilhelm said. "Skate parks allow kids to be outside, to socialize, to find common ground with other youths. It allows kids to bond with their parents or other adults willing to teach and pass their skills along to novice skaters. The skate boarding community is one of the most supportive groups I have had the pleasure of working alongside."

Donations can be made by check or @GreenportSkatePark on Venmo, she added.

"This is also our chance to showcase Greenport for something other than the downtown business," Wilhelm said. "It's what I call the 'other' park and it deserves as much attention as Mitchell Park because of what it offers our own community and others who come from all over just to use the park."

Personally, Wilhelm said she finds efforts to rebuild the skate park and cultivate a larger community for skate enthusiasts deeply rewarding.

"As a business owner in Greenport and a resident, I see the divide between the locals and the downtown. The local community often feels forgotten about, and projects like this often start with a small group of well- intentioned individuals working toward a larger picture. We hope the festival gains momentum so that more people not only use the park but attracts people who will offer to help us attain our goals."

This weekend's event will celebrate not just of skating but street art and the artisan community, and how all art plays a part in the skate boarding community — a place where youth can learn to dream and create, she said.

She added: "It's all about celebrating the entire skate culture to bring awareness to the needs of the park and cultivating more exposure to the industry for young entrepreneurs."

To learn more about fundraising efforts to revitalize the park, click here.