Tha Hood Games: Kids. Community. Comrades

Skating Takes Center Stage at Art Exhibit on Display at San Francisco’s African American Art & Culture Complex

SAN FRANCISCO -- On Saturday, July 23, the African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) will partner with Tha Hood Games and San Francisco Parks & Recreation to transform its parking lot into a skate park – complete with miniature skate obstacles and ramps – as it kicks off the multi-media art exhibit, “Tha Hood Games: Kids. Community. Comrades.”

On display at the AAACC’s Sargent Johnson Gallery from July 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, the dynamic exhibit features paintings, murals, photography and video from the Tha Hood Games, created in 2005 by Oakland artist and educator Keith “K-Dub” Williams along with Barbara "Adjoa" Murden. The group organizes events featuring skateboarding, art-making, music and dance performances to give inner-city youth a positive and creative platform to display their artistic and athletic talents. More than 30 events have been produced in Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
"Tha Hood Games gives youth an opportunity to showcase and nurture their skills in skateboarding, music, dance and the visual arts in their own communities,” said Williams. “Over the years, our family of art educators, students, skateboarders, artists, photographers and videographers have created and captured amazing artwork and images from our events. This exhibition is our way of sharing our journey visually, and spotlighting our family of creative people and the many youth, cities and communities we have visited.”

The kick-off skate event will include kids- and pro contests, live musical performances and art, skateboard demo, local community vendors, prizes, give-a-ways and appearance by pro skaters Karl Watson and Nyjah Huston. The exhibit will feature artwork, photos and memorabilia from pro skaters, such as Pep Williams of 3rd Generation Dog Town. Pro skater Chris Pastras will paint a mural. Renowned Bay Area skate shops, such as 510 Skateshop in Berkeley, FTC in San Francisco, Boardgarden in Napa, and Triumph in San Rafael, also will be highlighted.
On July 23, the kickoff skate day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the exhibit’s opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the AAACC’s Hall of Culture on the 3rd floor; and a fashion show, also at the Hall of Culture, will take place 7 to 9 p.m.

About the AAACC:
Since 1989, the African American Art & Culture Complex has been committed to empowering our youth, promoting the work of emerging local artists, and serving as a vital resource for residents and visitors alike. Located in the heart of San Francisco – in the city’s historic Jazz Preservation District – the Complex encompasses 30,000 square feet of community arts space. It includes a 203-seat theatre, an art gallery, several unique meeting spaces, dance studios, a recording studio, a multi-use space and a large parking lot. In 2009, hundreds of community members and leaders joined us to celebrate the completion of a $1.5 million renovation of our facility. For more information: aaacc.org.