The ever-expanding city of Austin has become one of the cultural hot spots of the United States, but there’s a small town to the east that has a few claims to fame of its own. Taylor, Texas is known for its historic charm and farming communities, but the hometown of golden-age animator Tex Avery (behind cartoon luminaries like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig) will also soon be known for a cool skatepark.
Our friends at Collectors Weekly tipped us off to a project from Austin photographer Brent Humphreys and graphic artist Chris Bilheimer that will raise money to build a skatepark in the rural Texas town. It also keeps “Avery’s antic spirit alive and well in Taylor.” They’re auctioning off an amazing collection of arty skateboard decks from people like Matt Groening (of The Simpsons fame), Gary Panter (the former Emmy-winning set designer for Pee Wee’s Playhouse), Rob Jones (album artist for bands like the White Stripes), and J.J. Sedelmaier (co-creator of “Saturday TV Funhouse” on SNL). It’s part of a non-profit initiative called Project LOOP (Lessons On and Off the Pavement), which provides kids with “lessons in creativity, exercise, and hard work in a real world experience outside the classroom.” The organization also encourages creative professionals to contribute and give back.
If you’d like to do your part, bid on these custom skateboard decks until December 6. Visit Project LOOP for more info on the skatepark fundraiser and their wealth of projects.
Left to right: Maseman, Lindsey Kuhn, Blake Jones, Brian Phillips.
Left to right: Matt Groening, Paul Imagine, Rob Jones.
Left to right: Dirk Fowler, Sean Starwars, Hoarsfly, Michael C. Hsiung, Clint Peterson.
Left to right: Scotty Albrecht, Chris Bilheimer, Travis Millard.
Left to right: Josh Row, Robert Lin, Ryan Duggan, Skulluxe.
Left to right: Francesco Lo Castro, Jared Wright, Mel Kadel, Brett Stiles.
Left to right: Will Johnson, Panhandle Slim, Tim Kerr.
Left to right: Adam Roye, Dan Padavik, Struggle Inc., Adreon Henry, Mike Guerrero.
Left to right: Bill Connors, Squid Ink Collective, Gary Panter, Farley Bookout.
Homage to Tex Avery by J.J. Sedelmaier.
Left to right: Andy Vastaugh, Delicious Design League.