Gabriel Pons was commissioned to create a feature wall for Blue Cow Ice Cream Company, an artisan ice cream outfit that opened in Fredericksburg in the summer of 2021. Working with the client, he collaborated to do an “ice cream-centric” installation that included different flavor color ways of cones combined with quotes scribed in the background of skateboard decks.
Thanks to the owners of Blue Cow Ice Cream Company! Check them out in Fredericksburg, VA at 607 William Street.
PONSHOP Studio is excited to announce the second annual “Art for Park” exhibit – a skateboard art show to benefit the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Up to fifty local and national artists have transformed the standard street skateboard deck into a work of art for the walls (or for wheels).
“Art for Park” is a celebration of skateboard art and culture. What better way to rally our community than by having artists give their voice on what has, over the past sixty years, become an iconic symbol of youth culture, recreation and rebellion. The annual “Art for Park” exhibition series is a sustained effort to raise awareness of the importance of skateboarding as both an art form and recreation and to promote the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Initiated in 2013, this organization is dedicated to improving the existing skate spot at Brooks Park and promoting a safe and friendly public park for the entire community. Recently, the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project launched a community survey for the public to help in this process: http://bit.ly/fxBGprk
Five Dollars of every Artist Registration and 20% of all deck sales will benefit the park initiative. Since 2018, the “Art for Park” art exhibition series has raised over $1,000 for the park initiative.
First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, April 5 (6pm-9pm)
Exhibition Dates: April 5-28
PONSHOP Studiois pleased to announce the return of “Art for Park”, a community art exhibition, whose goal is to raise funds for building a new skateboard park in the Fredericksburg region. Artists are charged with adorning a standard street skateboard provided by PONSHOP and we encourage all participating artists to join us for the opening reception on April 5.
“Art for Park” will be a celebration of skateboard art and culture with a portion of sales going to support the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Initiated in 2013, this organization has been dedicated to improving the existing skate spot at St. Claire Brooks Memorial Park and promoting a safe and friendly public park for the entire community. We have a soft spot for Brooks Park, but the existing wood and steel ramps are outdated, weathered, and in desperate need of a renovation. With this exhibition, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of skateboarding as both art form and recreation and promote the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project’s mission.
Deadline for Submissions: Thursday, March 28 – Sunday, March 31
First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, April 5 (6pm-9pm)
Exhibition Dates: Friday, April 5- Sunday, April 28
Artwork Retrieval: Sunday, April 28 – Monday, April 29
Submission Requirements
All artists must use the blank skateboard decks that PONSHOP provides at registration and all work must be for sale. Submit your best work! The gallery reserves the right to reject artwork based on quality, uniqueness and creativity, craftsmanship, and execution. Entries must be original creations of the artist – no reproductions of others artwork. Upon receipt of completed artwork, PONSHOP will equip each deck with a fishing line through the truck holes for wall hanging. The “underside” (or convex side) of the skateboard deck is typically the side to be adorned. All submissions must be intended to hang on the gallery walls (please refer to additional illustrations).
Entry Conditions
All artwork must be for sale. Artwork cannot have a retail price exceeding $300; artwork listed above $300 will automatically be decreased to $300. PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales, with an additional 20% going to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Should your skateboard sell, artists will retain 40% of the total retail price, which will be paid within 30 days of the exhibition closing (April 28). This exhibit is limited to 40 artist entries.
Artists are responsible for acquiring insurance on their own artwork. Although PONSHOP will take great care in the hanging and display of artwork, the gallery will not be held responsible for items on exhibit. Artwork delivered that is not dry, of poor assembly, or is incomplete will NOT be accepted.
Entry Procedure
The entry fee is $40 (plus tax), which includes one blank skateboard and a $5 donation to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Entries are limited to one skateboard per artist. Artists can register and pay the entry fee either in store or on our website and choose whether you’d like your blank board to be shipped to you or to leave it at PONSHOP’s storefront for free pick-up. Keep in mind that shipping to and from the gallery is the responsibility of the artist; if you ship your art to us, you must include a return shipping label or we will contact you after the exhibition to collect the cost of shipping from you.
Delivery
Artwork must be delivered between Thursday, March 28- Sunday, March 31. Work delivered outside of these time windows will not be accepted, unless shipping is delayed or you are given permission to deliver late (or early) by gallery staff. Artwork must include a label with the title, medium, artist’s name as you’d like it to be displayed, and the retail price for the art. Retail Priceis the price the art will be listed for sale, not the 40% consignment that you will receive after the conclusion of the exhibition.
Artwork Pick-Up
Hand-delivered unsold artwork must be picked up between Sunday, April 28 and Monday, April 29. Skateboards shipped to the gallery must include a return shipping label or you will be contacted for shipping reimbursement. Artwork picked up after Saturday, May 5will incur a storage fee of $10 per day. This willbe enforced. All Artists will be notified via email by April 29 regarding artwork sales.
PONSHOP Studio is pleased to announce the third installment of “Art for Park”, a skateboard art show held at The Sunken Well Tavern (720 Littlepage Street) to benefit the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. As a follow up to the overwhelming artist response from spring’s “Art for Park” exhibition, PONSHOP owner, Gabriel Pons has organized another exhibit to include an additional roster of artists. Twenty local artists have transformed the standard street skateboard deck into a work of art for the walls (or for wheels).
“Art for Park” is a celebration of skateboard art and culture. What better way to rally the community than by having artists give their voice on what has, over the past fifty years, become an iconic symbol of youth culture and recreation. PONSHOP is collaborating with Magic Bullet Records and Skateboards and the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project to build community support for a better place to skate in Fredericksburg.
We have a soft spot for the Saint Clair Brooks Memorial Park - the existing wood and steel ramps and concrete surfaces are dilapidated, weathered, and in desperate need of a renovation. “Art for Park” is a sustained effort to raise awareness of the importance of skateboarding as both art form and recreation and to promote the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Initiated in 2013, this organization is dedicated to improving the existing skate spot at Brooks Park and promoting a safe and friendly public park for the entire community.
Five Dollars of every Artist Registration and 20% of all deck sales will benefit the park initiative. Many artists have also opted to donate their proceeds to the park initiative. As of this press release, “Art for Park” events (including Benny Vitali’s “Dough Raiser”) have raised $2,000 for the park initiative. All Decks from “Art for Park” events are available for purchase on the PONSHOP Website.
Sunken Well Tavern is open daily Mon-Friday 11-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-9pm
By Popular Demand, “Art for Park at Sunken Well” is the second skateboard art fundraising event for the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Artists are charged with adorning a standard street skateboard provided by PONSHOP for a one-month Exhibit at Sunken Well Tavern (720 Littlepage Street, FXBG)
The Cause: “Art for Park at Sunken Well” celebrates skateboard art and culture, with a portion of artwork sales towards the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Initiated in 2013, this organization is dedicated to improving the existing skate spot at St. Claire Brooks Memorial Park and promoting a safe and friendly public park for the entire community. We have a soft spot for Brooks Park, but the existing wood and steel ramps are outdated, weathered, and in desperate need of a renovation. With the "Art for Park" exhibition series, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of skateboarding as both art form and recreation and promote the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project.
May-June Exhibition
Deadline for Submissions: Monday, May 7 (10am-6pm) Deliver to PONSHOP
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 10 (7-9pm) at Sunken Well Tavern
Exhibition Dates: May 10 – June 12, 2018
Artwork Retrieval: June 13-16 at PONSHOP
Submission Requirements: All artists must use the blank skateboard decks that PONSHOP provides at registration and all work must be for sale. Submit your best work! The gallery reserves the right to reject artwork based on quality: uniqueness and creativity, craftsmanship, and execution. Entries must be original creations of the artist – no reproductions of others artwork. Upon receipt of completed artwork, PONSHOP will equip each deck with a fishing line through the truck holes for wall hanging. The “underside” (or convex side) of the skateboard deck is typically the side to be adorned. All submissions must be intended to hang on the gallery walls (please refer to additional illustrations).
Entry Conditions: All artwork must be for sale. Artwork cannot have a retail price exceeding $300; artwork listed above $300 will automatically be decreased to $300. PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales, with another 20% going to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Should your skateboard sell, artists retain 40%, which will be disbursed within 30 days of the exhibition closing (June 12). This exhibit is limited to 50 artist entries.
Artists are responsible for acquiring insurance on their own artwork. Although PONSHOP will take great care in the hanging and display of artwork at Sunken Well Tavern, the gallery will not be held responsible for items on exhibit.
Artwork delivered that is not dry, of poor assembly, or is incomplete will NOT be accepted.
Entry Procedure: There’s an entry fee of $40, which includes one blank skateboard and a donation to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Entries are limited to one skateboard per artist. Artists must register and pay the entry fee on our website and choose whether you’d like your blank board to be shipped or to leave at PONSHOP’s storefront for free pick-up. Keep in mind that shipping to and from the gallery is the responsibility of the artist; if you ship your art to us, you must include a return shipping label or we will contact you after the exhibition to collect the shipping cost from you.
Delivery: Artwork must be delivered before Monday, May 7 to be included in the exhibition. Work delivered outside of these time windows will not be accepted, unless shipping is delayed or you are given permission to deliver late or early by gallery staff. Artwork must include a label with the title, medium, artist name as you’d like it to be displayed, and the retail price for the art. Retail Price is the price the art will be listed for sale as, the artist receives 40% Consignment after the conclusion of the exhibit.
Artwork Pick-Up: Hand-delivered unsold artwork must be picked up between Thursday, June 14 and Saturday, June 16. Skateboards shipped to the gallery must include a return shipping label or you will be contacted for shipping reimbursement. Artwork picked up after Saturday, June 16 will incur a storage fee of $10 per day. This will be enforced! All Artists will be notified via email on or before June 12 regarding the status of artwork sales.
1 Deck per Artist Entry
PONSHOP Studio is pleased to announce our eleventh community art exhibition in March and April of 2018. We’ve hosted community art shows before, but never like this. “Art for Park” will be PONSHOP’s first skateboard art exhibit and our first community show to run for two months. But we need artists to make it happen! Artists are charged with adorning a standard street skateboard provided by PONSHOP and we encourage all participating artists to join us for the opening receptions on March 2 and again on April 6.
The Cause: Not only will “Art for Park” be a feast for the eyes, but a portion of artwork sales are going to support the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Initiated in 2014, this organization is dedicated to improving the existing skate spot at St. Claire Brooks Memorial Park and promoting a safe and friendly public park for the entire community. We have a soft spot for Brooks Park, but the existing wood and steel ramps are outdated, weathered, and in desperate need of a renovation. With this exhibition, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of skateboarding as both art form and recreation and promote the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project.
UPDATE: Registration for "Art for Park" is Full! We have 50 Artists contributing to the show.
March Exhibit
Deadline for Submissions: Sunday, February 25 (11am-5pm)
First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, March 2 (6-9pm)
Exhibition Dates: March 2 – April 29
Artwork Retrieval: Monday, April 30 – Tuesday, May 1
April Exhibit
Deadline for Submissions: Monday, April 2 (10am-6pm)
First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, April 6 (6pm-9pm)
Exhibition Dates: April 6-29
Artwork Retrieval: Monday, April 30 – Tuesday, May 1
Submission Requirements: All artists must use the blank skateboard decks that PONSHOP provides at registration and all work must be for sale. Submit your best work! The gallery reserves the right to reject artwork based on quality: uniqueness and creativity, craftsmanship, and execution. Entries must be original creations of the artist – no reproductions of others artwork. Upon receipt of completed artwork, PONSHOP will equip each deck with a fishing line through the truck holes for wall hanging. The “underside” (or convex side) of the skateboard deck is typically the side to be adorned. All submissions must be intended to hang on the gallery walls (please refer to additional illustrations).
Entry Conditions: All artwork must be for sale. Artwork cannot have a retail price exceeding $300; artwork listed above $300 will automatically be decreased to $300. PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales, with another 20% going to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Should your skateboard sell, artists retain 40%, which will be disbursed within 30 days of the exhibition closing (April 30). This exhibit is limited to 50 artist entries.
Artists are responsible for acquiring insurance on their own artwork. Although PONSHOP will take great care in the hanging and display of artwork, the gallery will not be held responsible for items on exhibit.
Since “Art for Park” runs for two months, we will have two submission deadlines for artists to choose from. This way, if you’re unable to finish your deck in time for the March portion of the exhibition, you can still participate for the second half in April. Because of this, the gallery must strictly enforce the submission deadlines, see “Delivery” section below.
Artwork delivered that is not dry, of poor assembly, or is incomplete will NOT be accepted.
Entry Procedure: There’s an entry fee of $40, which includes one blank skateboard and a donation to the Fredericksburg Skate Park Project. Entries are limited to one skateboard per artist. Artists must register and pay the entry fee on our website and choose whether you’d like your blank board to be shipped or to leave at PONSHOP’s storefront for free pick-up. Keep in mind that shipping to and from the gallery is the responsibility of the artist; if you ship your art to us, you must include a return shipping label or we will contact you after the exhibition to collect the shipping cost from you.
Delivery: Artwork must be delivered between Thursday, February 22 - Sunday, February 25 to be included in the full exhibition for March & April. Artwork for the April exhibition must be delivered between Thursday, March 29 – Monday, April 2. Work delivered outside of these time windows will not be accepted, unless shipping is delayed or you are given permission to deliver late or early by gallery staff. Artwork must include a label with the title, medium, artist name as you’d like it to be displayed, and the retail price for the art. Retail Price is the price the art will be listed for sale, not the 40% consignment that you will receive after the conclusion of the exhibition.
Artwork Pick-Up: Hand-delivered unsold artwork must be picked up between Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1. Skateboards shipped to the gallery must include a return shipping label or you will be contacted for shipping reimbursement. Artwork picked up after Saturday, May 5 will incur a storage fee of $10 per day. This will be enforced. All Artists will be notified via email by April 29 regarding artwork sales.
Gabe is excited to participate in "Destroy and Create" a skateboard ramp-themed group show organized by Art Whino celebrating the release of Boundless Brooklyn's Half Pipe model kit.
Boundless Brooklyn is a New York-based company that creates miniature cardboard models of the urban environment's most iconic structures. The Brooklyn Water Tower model has been a popular teaching tool for kids and adults who enjoy constructing and adorning the city's architectural icons. PONSHOP is proud to carry Boundless Brooklyn kits and will be offering a model workshop in March.
The opening reception for "Destroy and Create" is Saturday, February 20 (8-11pm) at Blind Whino SW Arts Club, 700 Delaware Avenue, SW Washington, DC. For more information, visit Blind Whino.
In this series of three 1.5 hour workshops, students of all skill levels designed and painted their own skateboard deck using stencil and spray paint techniques. Instructor Gabriel Pons guided them from initial brainstorming through developing their illustrations into a layered stencil design. After refining their designs, students chose their color palette, cut their stencils, and spray-painted their own boards. Below is a selection of photos from 2013's Skate to Create workshops.
You leave this class, Skate to Create, with a one-of-a-kind art deck of your own design and the knowledge to make many more! To create a custom skateboard, bring your ideas and PONSHOP will supply all materials and stenciling/spray painting instruction. Click Here to view our current class schedule. For further questions, contact the PONSHOP.
October's "First Friday" in Richmond ushered in the much-anticipated "Splinters" show at 212 West Broad Street.
The month of August brought in a new crop of students for "Skate to Create" Within three 1.5-hour sessions, we went from sketch to stencil to spray paint.
Here's the final line up. Nice work boys - now go skate!
PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.
Spring ushered in another motivated crop of students for the PONSHOP Skate to Create class. Students Savant and Megan got creative, worked hard, and most of all had fun during this workshop. Below are some pics from April's class. Good work ladies...
After a debriefing on the history of skateboard graphics as well as showing students some examples, students got right to work sketching up their designs.
From sketches, we "translate" their designs into stencils, so that they can articulate (and hopefully repeat) their graphic.
Savant cut up this intricate pattern with a drippy form for her deck.
Megan's skate deck mixed up several layers of tiger stripes for a 3-D effect.
Usually a kid's first skateboard is some water-logged Nash handed down by an older brother - this is not the case here. Chris's first deck features his own signature character as well as my classic "Maiden Mono" lettering for his griptape art. Chris picked up the rules for stencils quickly and proceeded to make a 4-stencil composition ready to ride. Good Work - Now Go Shred!
Details (click image to enlarge)
I'm cooking up new decks for this summer's skate sessions. The MONO Pagoda decks come in 7.5", 7.75" and 8.0" widths. Each deck is individually sprayed, signed and numbered and comes with griptape. Want one? hit me back with an email and $55 plus shipping or get on down to Fred Skates (604 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia). Of course, decks will soon be at the PONSHOP (916 LibertyStreet, Fredericksburg,Virginia) too...
October is officially renamed to "Rocktober" in the Pons Family Calendar due to rock and roll lifestyle that we're living: face painting, pumpkin patch rides (see the D digging it above), Saturday morning skate sessions...
This is why I've grown to love Virginia - early October weather in the 80s and no humidity: Brooks Park panorama.
B. Smithson (above) blasts frontside for a transfer...
Matt has initiated the Fredericksburg Area Skatepark Association which is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality and conditions of local skateparks through youth involvement and community support. Check out the link and get involved!
I'm busy kicking out the latest deck series for this fall. The MONO "Octo" decks come in 7.5", 7.75" and 8.0" widths. Each deck is individually sprayed, signed and numbered and comes with griptape. Want one? hit me back with an email and $50 plus shipping or get on down to Fred Skates (604 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia). Of course, decks will be at the PONSHOP (916 LibertyStreet, Fredericksburg,Virginia) too...
Thursday, July 31: Brooks Park was packed with the youth of today shredding their hearts out in anticipation of the Natural Koncept skateboard team's demo. It'll be a while until I get some video footage online from that day, but these stills taken before the demo show some of the "personalities" of the Fredericksburg skate scene. Shout out to Mark Eyestone of Fred Skates for hosting the event and DJ Bredren for bringing some reggae beats for the summer session.
Teddy back from the other side of the planet...
Patiently waiting for the Natural Koncept van to roll through.
B-Fiddy - 'Nuff Said...
Mark holds down the fort as the NK guys hit the ramps
DJ Bredren Soundsystem in effect
Smithson holds his own and drops hammers all day
Kinda like the lineup from The Usual Suspects if Kevin Spacey wore more clothes.
June ushered in a new batch of students eager to get their summer skateboards painted and ready to ride. Our Skate to Create Workshop challenged kids to generate their own custom skateboard design and execute it using spray paint and stencils. Within the span of three 2-hour classes, they sketched, cut, and painted their own creations on a deck. Good job guys! Below are some snapshots from the final class...(click to enlarge).
Andrew was inspired by the mid-1990s Alien Workshop skateboard graphics...
Noah created his own superhero character for his deck.
Warner's deck took the "smiley face" and "mr. yuck" symbol to the next level. 
Paul and Ross took a "Skate to Create" workshop in the beginning of the month. Their hard work and serious attitude (see above) turned out some great designs. Good work!
Thanks to all students and parents for their participation in the PONSHOP workshops. To learn more about the classes we offer, click here. For a full class schedule from LibertyTown Arts Workshop, click here.
Spring Break ushered in a new group of students in March eager to draw, cut, and spray paint. Below are some photos of my "Skate to Create" students from last month. They've all worked well together, stretched their creative muscles and, most importantly, had fun. Enjoy...
David merged his two favorite past times: Music and Skating...
Josie's design took the classic Skull and Crossbones to whole new level.
Drew used red and black patterns for his "Star" logo deck.
Simon's deck graphic was part inspired by heavy metal music and old school Powell graphics.
Our studio offers classes for children and adults every month. For a current PONSHOP class schedule, click here.
Conor drew his inspiration from the "concrete jungle"- juxtaposing city skyline with a jungle landscape.
Tyler brought his own character "Mohawk Man" to life for his deck graphic.
Don't let her smile fool you - Winnie was all about skulls and flames for her design.
Ever since I did the MONO Lion Skateboard Deck series this summer, people have been asking me if there was ever going to be a t-shirt too. Well the time has finally come. All pre-orders for shirts are now available and shirts are up in our shop and at the best skate shop south of the Mason Dixon Line - Fred Skates. (604 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg).
Of course, all shirts are professionally silk screened on American Apparel Tees and come in a variety of sizes for men and women.
Shirts are $16 plus tax at the PONSHOP and prices vary elsewhere. To order online, hit me with an email at gpons@ponshopstudio.com. Web orders are $20 per shirt (shipping included). PayPal payments are gladly accepted.
