Deck Art registration starts February 1

Rochester's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is reaching out to all artists to participate in the downtown Rochester Eighth Annual Skateboard Art Competition and Exhibition: Deck Art 2018.

Artists, from elementary school ages to adults, may participate by providing their own artwork on a blank skateboard deck. Winning pieces will be picked in each category by a panel of judges and prizes will be awarded. Categories include: elementary, middle school, high school, college and adult. Registration for the event begins on Thursday, February 1, with the event schedule for May 10 and 11.

This year's event is expected to include as many as 50 local merchants, transforming Deck Art 2018 into a downtown Rochester crawl. Completed artwork will be displayed throughout participating restaurants and businesses for onlookers to enjoy.

Last year's Deck Art event drew over 500 artists from southeast Michigan, with former participants coming from local communities, as well as artists from Arizona, California, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada.

The DDA will host a Thursday Night Kickoff on May 10 and a Friday Night Crawl on May 11, both from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will include unique artwork, musical entertainment, kids activities and more, with additional details to be released in the future.

Registration for artists may be found online at downtownrochestermi.com. Completed forms may be submitted to South Street Skateshop, 410 Main Street, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays through February; and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays after February.

A registration fee of $20 (plus tax) is good for one blank skateboard deck. Registration deadline is Friday, April 13.