The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will host a series of events in conjunction with Sideways: Exploring Skateboard Art + Culture. Events will provide a mix of free and ticketed programs for all ages, with fundraising efforts to support Dennos programs and Third Level Crisis Intervention.
Kicking off a weekend of skateboard-related exploration, Aaron Draplin (NMC alum) will present Tall Tales from a Large Man, on June 19 at 7pm. Showcasing his work and success as a graphic designer, the program is $15 ($10 for members) and will feature an exclusive skateboard for auction. On June 20, the Dennos Museum Center and Third Level Crisis Intervention present the Traverse City Park Jam at the Dennos and Civic Center Skate Park. This all day event, noon-5pm, offers the opportunity to skate with pro skater Ron Allen, view the exhibition Sideways: Exploring Skateboard Art + Culture, bid on decks in a silent auction to support Dennos and Third Level programs, and enjoy music, food, and dance. Following the Park Jam from 7 to 9pm, the After Party will feature an exclusive art auction, music from Ron Allen (MC Intelligence), food, drinks from Starcut Cider, and dancing throughout the Museum. Tickets are $15-20 and available online at dennosmuseum.org. On Sunday, everyone is invited to head back to the Civic Center Skate Park for Go Skateboarding Day, celebrated around the globe.
Additionally, the Museum will host Sunday Mini-Deck Park Jams throughout July. These informal gatherings are included with museum admission and will welcome visitors to try their hand at finger-boarding, a popular pastime that offers the excitement of skateboarding on a miniature scale.
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
Aaron James Draplin – Tall Tales from a Large Man
Friday, June 19, 2015 – 7:00pm
Milliken Auditorium
Tickets: $15; $10/members
NMC Alumnnus and graphic designer Aaron James Draplin returns to Traverse City in conjunction with Sideways: Exploring Skateboard Art + Culture, May 31-September 6, 2015.
Using scientific proof and state-of-the-art multimedia techniques, Aaron James Draplin of the Draplin Design Co. delivers a sucker-punch of a talk that aims to provide bona fide proof of work, the highs and lows of a ferociously independent existence, and a couple tall tales from his so-called career in the cutthroat world of contemporary graphic design. Just a regular guy with a trajectory a little dirtier than yours, his talk is open to all brave enough to show up. If you are a youngster, you may find yourself inspired to attack your design future in a different way. If you are established, you may just leave feeling grateful you don’t have anything to do with him. Hard to say.
Located in the mighty Pacific Northwest, the Draplin Design Co. proudly rolls up its sleeves on a number of projects related to the Print, Identity and Illustration categories. We make stuff for Field Notes, Coal Headwear, Union Binding Co., Nike, Wired, Timberline, Incase, Giro, Cobra Dogs, Burton Snowboards, Nixon Watches, Patagonia, Target, Ford Motor Company, Woolrich, and even the Obama Administration (if you can believe that). We pride ourselves on a high level of craftsmanship and quality that keeps us up late into the wet Portland night.
Sideways was organized by the Dennos Museum Center with support from Erin Waineo Design, Proof Positive Brand Design, Gene Ullery-Smith Graphic Design, Jesse Den Herder, and Brandon Jenkins. We thank them for their efforts in bringing this exhibition to the community.
Tall Tales from a Large Man was organized in part by the Designers Union, Local 231. The Designers Union supports the region’s graphic and commercial arts community by welcoming the industry’s top talent and thought leaders to inspire and educate.
–Traverse City Park Jam
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – Noon-5:00pm
Dennos Museum Center and Civic Center Skate Park
Free Admission for All
You’re invited to the party of the summer! Join the Dennos Museum Center and Third Level Crisis Intervention Center for the 2015 Traverse City Park Jam. Bring your skateboard and test your talent with the best of Traverse City and beyond. Take in the exhibition, Sideways: Exploring Skateboard Art + Culture, featuring original art and deck designs from around the region and coast to coast. Enjoy musical performances, dancing, and food. And don’t forget to bid on the decks in the silent auction to support Dennos and Third Level programming.
Pro skater Ron Allen will be on hand at the Civic Center Skate Park to get things rolling with games and contests; in the galleries to announce the prizes for Best in Show; and on stage in the Milliken Auditorium for a memorable musical performance as MC Intelligence.
All of this is open to the public free of charge, so bring your friends, family, and your best tricks to show off. And keep warmed up for an informal jam at the skate park for Go Skateboarding Day, Sunday, June 21!
-Park Jam After Party
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – 7:00-9:00pm
Dennos Museum Center
Tickets: $20; $15 for members
Ages 21+
Get decked out in a whole new way for the Park Jam After Party. Enjoy a strolling dinner with Starcut Ciders and Short’s beer; catch a performance by Ron Allen, AKA MC Intelligence, with the Soul Step Electric Ladies; enter a raffle to win exclusive art and support Dennos programs and Third Level Crisis Intervention Center; all while enjoying the exhibition, Sideways: Exploring Skateboard Art + Culture.
Tickets can be purchased online at dennosmuseum.org or by calling 231-995-1573. Only 100 tickets will be sold to this event, so get yours fast!
The After Party is supported by Starcut Ciders. With apples sourced from their back yard and throughout our state, Starcut is committed to crafting ciders that showcase the beauty of Michigan.
-Mini-Deck Jams
Sundays in July, 1:00-5:00pm
Dennos Museum Center
Free with Admission to the Museum
Skateboarding that doesn’t require a helmet! Join in the fun and show off your skills with Mini-Deck Jams throughout July. The Dennos will provide a few ramps and even some decks, and you provide your hands and fingers to do the tricks. All ages and skill-levels are welcome to the jam, so bring your friends and family for some summer fun!
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The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. For information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.