 "Photo: Sarah Vasquez")
 "Photo: Sarah Vasquez Staff Photographer")
Bringing together art, hip hop, and skateboarding, the “Hella Broke” art and music show is the catalyst that brought these three cultures under Red 7’s roof on Sunday, Sept. 13.
From the mind of one of the featured artists, Niz, an idea was formed to put together an art show with a wide spectrum of artists.
With a medium of their choosing the artists displayed their work on skateboard decks instead of canvases, walls or City of Austin’s property.
“I’ve been doing skateboard art for a long time... so I asked a bunch of different artists to do their work on skateboards,” said Niz.
As the show was being assembled, the idea then evolved to include hip hop acts to perform while the crowd admired the art.
“We decided that we wanted to make it into a big hip hop showcase so a couple of production companies hopped on and we made it into a bigger thing,” said Niz.
With acts in the line-up such as 2Mex (Visionaries), Riddlore (Chillin’ Villian Empire), and Austin’s own Phranchyze, Boomset (Fools Inc.) and Barry Whitesnake, “Hella Broke” provided diverse entertainment for eclectic fans in Red 7’s outside stage area.
As for the art show inside, various mediums were used to present work from both sides of the spectrum: street and traditional art.
Graffiti artists Spain, Sloke, Spik and stencil artists such as JR4, James Stacy, and Dave Lowell were displayed alongside conventional artists, Christa Palazzolo and Bryn Coats.
What is a skateboarding art show without skateboarders?
Positioned near the outside stage, there was a small quarter-pipe provided by local Find N Grind Skateshop where skateboarders took turns showing off their skills for a videographer.
The event was enjoyed by many. As a result, more showcases might be in the future to continue to bring more multicultural gatherings under one roof.
“We might be doing events like this in the future,” said Niz.
“The whole point is to get a bunch of people from different subcultures together in one place so they can all do their thing, all make a big event out of it.”
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