Robots Are Go! by Mike Bell

We've had one of Mike Bell's paintings, purchased from DvA Gallery before we merged operations with them, hanging in our living room for the better part of the last decade. It remains, to this day, one of our favorites. 

Having lived with Mike's art so closely I'm not entirely sure why we haven't done an exhibit with him before now, but I'm happy to say we'll be making up for lost time with a full gallery solo exhibit by this talented Atlantic City, New Jersey-based artist!

Join us the evening of Friday, May 13, 7-10pm for the opening of Robots Are Go!, New Works by Mike Bell.

Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Mike Bell’s artwork blends an aura of nostalgia and humor, combined with vivid color and a combination of influences. Iconic New Jersey images, vintage toys, punk rock, classic monsters, Japanese cartoons and carnival imagery are among the cultural forces that have shaped his art. The juxtaposition of counterculture with modern day influences are the blueprint for Bell’s 
canvases. His paintings have broad powerful strokes but small details are not to be overlooked. This leaves a hazy distinction between cartoony and illusionistic. The outcome is a world where the weird is wonderful and the inhuman is alive.

His artwork has been shown in galleries throughout the world, primarily in the U.S. but recently in Ontario and Frankfurt, Germany. He was featured in the recently published book Edgy Cute by Mark Batty Publishing, New York. Mike’s “matchbook art” is currently touring the Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” Museums.

Mike will be in attendance at the opening so stop by and chat with him while listening to tunes spun by DJ Sean Doe and snacking on free cookies!

Exhibit continues through June 5, 2016.

Baby Fatts Custom Toy Exhibit

We're super happy to have a chance to work with one of designer toys biggest and most vocal fans and someone we're proud to call a friend, Colin Hoffman, aka Big C.

Join us the evening of Friday, May 13, 7-10pm for the opening reception of a custom toy exhibit featuring artist customized versions of Big C's first figure, Baby Fatts!

See what artists like 2PetalRose, NC Winters, FrankMontano, kOmega, Eos, Big C and more do with Big C's adorable baby dragon and get first shot at picking up the Rotofugi exclusive Smoke Grey Baby Fatts.

Big C will be in attendance at the opening so stop by and meet the man, listen to DJ Sean Doe spin and enjoy a complimentary beverage and tasty snacks!

Exhibit continues through June 5, 2016.

An Art Show Celebrating 
Thirty Years of the Screaming Hand

A Tribute to the Artist Jim Phillips and a Skateboarding Icon

Presented by Vans

May 6-8, 2016

Opening Reception Friday, May 6, 7-10PM

We are beyond stoked to be playing host to this awesome travelling exhibit in collaboration with our friends at Chicago's Uprise Skate Shop!

Join us the evening of Friday, May 6, 7-10pm for the opening reception or pop in during our normal hours (11a-7p) on the following Saturday or Sunday for your chance to check out some great art before it moves on to the next city of the tour!

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In 1985, in a small art studio on the Eastside of Santa Cruz, CA, Jim Phillips Sr. was creating images that unbeknownst to him would affect generations of artists and skateboarders to come. Of all of the iconic imagery that Jim created; the Screaming Hand logo has stood the test of time. Thirty years after its inception, the Screaming Hand still remains an unmistakable symbol of youth and skateboard culture.

In honor of Jim Phillips Sr. and the Screaming Hand logo, we have invited over 48 of the world’s most influential artists of the past 30 years to interpret and pay homage to this iconic image. Each artist’s interpretation of “The Hand” will be on display. There will also be an audio tour accessible by smart phone, narrated and describing their first experience with Phillips’ work as well as a backstory on their piece for the show.
Featured Artists include: Jim Phillips Sr., Jimbo Phillips, Colby Phillips, Jeremy Fish, Mike Giant, Todd Bratrud, Bigfoot, Michael Sieben, John Lucero, John Munnerlyn, Steve Caballero, Steve Olson, Natas Kaupus, Eric Dressen, Thomas Campbell, Sean Cliver, Mark Gonzales, Benny Gold, Jason Jessee, Mark Widmann, Makoto Yamaki, Skinner and many more.

The traveling art show has made its way around the world from Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, and Tokyo. The show has landed back the USA, which will include 15 stops including New York, Boston, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, St. Petersburg, Santa Cruz and more.

Squadt Assembly 20: Playge Pop-Up Shop & Exhibition

Join us the evening of Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 (7-10pm) for the grand opening of Squadt Assembly 20, a pop-up shop and exhibit by Playge in collaboration with Industry Print Shop, Threezero and Rotofugi.

We worked with Playge artist Ferg in 2013 for the first Squadt Assembly, where excited fans were able to choose from a variety of 6-inch Squadt designer vinyl figure bodies and then assemble their own creation from an array of options. Now we’re doing it again, but bigger and better…Squadt Assembly 20 will feature the debut of the long-awaited 20-inch tall Squadt!

Attendees of the opening reception will be able to pick either a 20-inch Squadt or a 6-inch Squadt with Gassed helmet (or one of each) and then choose from a variety of weapons, lenses, accessories and garments to complete their very own custom figure including a few extra special in-store only exclusive options!

To up the ante and bring the number of custom options to an insane number, Playge has partnered with Industry Print Shop to perform live screen printing during the grand opening. Attendees will not only be able to choose from an array of garment options, but will then be able to choose from a selection of artwork by Ferg and friends to be screen printed on them while they wait!

And just like the previous Squadt Assembly there will also be a selection of other Playge/Squadt themed merchandise and home goods available including prints and t-shirts.

DJ Sean Doe will be rocking the house during the opening and we’ll have snacks and beverages.  NOTE: This will not be a particularly family friendly set...parents, please be warned. Ferg will be in attendance to meet with fans.

Line tickets to purchase items from the pop-up shop will be available at the gallery starting at 11am on April 2.

Any figures that remain unsold after the opening weekend (April 2-3) will be offered via lottery to non-attendees. To be considered for the lottery, please visit http://rtfgi.co/sa20lottery and enter your details, thank you. Lottery entry is now closed....please see update below about lottery results. Thank you.

The pop-up shop will be in place through May 1, 2016.

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The first wave of lottery winner emails will go out Tuesday, April 5 at 5pm Central Time.

The online Squadt Assembly is a password protected section of our online store and if you're chosen (we use a random number generator draw) you'll get the password via email either Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, depending on luck of the draw.

Wave 1 Winners will be notified Tuesday at 5pm. 
Wave 2 Winners will be Wednesday at 5pm. 
Wave 3 Winners will be Thursday at 5pm.
We'll open it up to all lottery entrants on Friday at 5pm.

And finally, if you didn't enter the lottery....we'll have everything available online for EVERYBODY starting Saturday (April 9)  at 5pm Central Time.

Thanks for your patience!

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Final Edit: Both the opening and the lottery are now over and Squadt Assembly goods are up on our online store here: Squadt Assembly. Thanks!

Spring Mini Munny Painting Party & Class