The Board Art Benefit event brought together 13 incredible artists who teamed up to support SurfAid at the Sacred Craft Surf Expo in Del Mar, California, on October 8 and 9.

Each artist partnered with various shapers to create live art on surfboards as thousands of people watched, resulting in one of the most unique collections of surfboards ever assembled.  The art boards will be auctioned off to raise monies for SurfAid’s lifesaving programs in the Mentawai and surrounding islands.

The Board Art Benefit was organized by Matt Beard, a recognized artist and SurfAid supporter who saw an opportunity to bring a greater awareness to SurfAid through the unique collaboration of artists and shapers.

“I was asked to organize a few artists for the Sacred Craft event, but I thought that by bringing artists and shapers together for a great cause at an event like Sacred Craft, it would bring more attention to everyone involved - the artists, the shapers, Sacred Craft, and SurfAid International,” Beard said. “And that’s a good thing for everyone.”

We were stoked to have the following list of artists and shapers be part of the event.  Phil Roberts & Jerry Lopez,  Rick Rietveld &  Jed Noll, Damian Fulton & Tyler Hatzikian, Wade Koniakowsky & Mike Hynson, Erik Abel & Robert Weiner, Spencer Reynolds & Jeff “Doc” Lausch, Matt Beard & Yohei Shiraishi, Ron Croci & John Birchim, Robb Havassy & Rusty Preisendorfer, Drew Brophy & Ron House and Heather Ritts, Norman Daniels, Peter Pierce & Firewire Surfboard.

The first showing of the completed collection is scheduled to be held at the Ocean Art Gallery on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, CA on January 21, 2012.

Thanks again to all the artists and shapers who donated their time, tools and talents to this amazing event.  Thanks also to Scott Bass and Sacred Craft for supporting us, Kevin Roche for his photography, Firewire Surfboards and a special appreciation to Matt Beard for his tireless efforts in making it possible.