July’s ArtHop Features Skateboard Art, Live Music, and Much More

If you didn’t already wear yourselves out celebrating the nation’s birthday on the Fourth, you’ll want to celebrate the artwork that will be on display Thursday at Fresno’s ArtHop in various locations downtown and the Tower District.

The events include a showing by Fresno Skateboard Salvage, a nonprofit that will display recycled skateboards that have been turned into pieces of art by inmates at Salinas Valley Prison. The show at the Fresno Arts Council, 1245 Van Ness Ave., will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Rodney Rodriguez created the nonprofit to provide skateboards and accessories like helmets to underprivileged youth in Fresno. The inmate-designed skateboards will be auctioned off later to raise money for the nonprofit, ArtHop coordinator Elisa Flores said.

Rodriguez keeps a supply of skateboards in his truck, so when he’s skateboarding on weekends and spots a child in need, he can provide a top-quality board on the spot.

ArtHop’s offerings also will include “6th of July ArtHop” at Procreations Brewing, with art, music, vendors, food, and a beer release from 5 to 9 p.m. The all-ages, dog-friendly event will be at 1929 Santa Clara St.

At the M Street Arts Complex at M and Tuolumne streets, artist Lauren Harper will hold a studio launch party, marking the opening of her gallery of three-dimensional art forms, ceramics, and stained glass. The party will be in Warehouse #3 from 5 to 9 p.m.

M Street Arts Complex will feature the work of ceramics and stained glass artist Lauren Harper at Thursday’s Art Hop.

Other ArtHop Events

Other events Thursday include:

• José Montoya’s Resonant Valley con Safos Poetry Series will feature Caribbean Fragoza from 6 to 7 p.m. at Arte Américas, 1630 Van Ness Ave.
• Mixed media artist Anna Newman will be featured at the Fresno Black Chamber of Commerce in the Artists Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Violinist Will Roberson will provide entertainment from 6 to 8 p.m. The Fresno Black Chamber of Commerce is at 1600 Fulton St.
• “Fireworks! Ceramic Works Bathed in Flames” will feature ceramics that are pit fired, barrel fired, wood fired, and raku fired by a variety of artists. The reception will be 5 to 8 p.m. at Clay Hand Studios Gallery, 660 Van Ness Ave.
• Fresno City Hall will feature two separate ArtHop events from 5 to 8 p.m.: Artwork by Laura Clement will be featured on the first floor, while work by artist Melanie Glass will be featured on the second floor. Glass will meet the public at 6 p.m. Upstairs music will be provided by guitarist Randy Freeman, and there will also be poetry and light refreshments. City Hall is at 2600 Fresno St.

And, hey artists — want more than just one day a month to display your work? Fresno City Hall and the Arts Council are holding open calls to artists who can submit their work starting this month. Meanwhile, artists who are itching to design the logo for the 2024 ArtHop season can start submitting their samples next month, Flores said.