Where: Bistro Bethem, 309 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia
It has been a long and hot summer. While some kids sought refuge in their air-conditioned living rooms playing the latest X-Box games, these guys battled the 90+ heat and got creative with spray paint. August's Street Art Workshop was a series of three 2-hour sessions where students practiced the fundamentals of the spray can...
Tristan laid down a background pattern before carving out his graffiti lettering.
Robert had an idea to blow-up one of his anime-inspired drawings and apply it to his spray painted background.
Max took his first stab at using spray paint, practicing outlines and fills to create his own cartoon-like character.
Thanks to all the students and parents for a fun summer workshop. For more information about PONSHOP Art Classes and a current class schedule, click here.
We are hard at work making new and interesting art for the fall. In fact, in October, Scarlett and I will be teaming up with fellow LibertyTown artist (and good friend) Rob Landeck for a show at Bistro Bethem in Fredericksburg, VA. Below are some recent snapshots taken late night in the studio:
Gabriel Pons spent two weeks in July participating in the Summer Fun Festival organized by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation. "Summer Fun" is a ten-day camp for children ages pre-school through 6th grade and allows kids to explore creative activities such as painting, kite-making, model making, cooking, and more. He taught a class called "Building Guru" which introduced students to the fundamentals of architecture and design. Throughout the week, children drew maps, made cardboard houses, constructed wooden bridges, and developed neighborhood streets. Below are some photos from the last day of classes, check it out:
Students in grades K-3 not only created a home from cardboard and paper, but created a neighborhood street too.
Students in grades 4-6 learned what makes a successful bridge stand up to heavy loads.
Thanks to all the kids and their parents for such a memorable summer camp experience. Special thanks to all staff and teacher aides for their organization and hard work.
For more information on this Fredericksburg Summer Fun Festival 200, click here.
To visit the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation site, click here.
On Saturday, July 21st, PONSHOP participated in the Children's Art Expo held by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation. This annual event takes place at Hurkamp Park in downtown Fredericksburg. Kid's Art Expo is a celebration of art and creativity where children can participate in various stations set up around the park. Our station, "Architexture" allowed children of all ages to interact and decorate a temporary cardboard "city".
Below is a chronology of photos from that day, for more information about Children's Activities in Fredericksburg, click here.
10:00 am - construction of the cardboard maze is complete and ready for painting.
10:30am -our first visitors. 
Diego getting in on the action with Grandpa Suhy
1:00 pm - The city is painted inside and out.
2:00pm - more kids come for some finishing touches.
Even the paper mache pig got covered with paint...
Scarlett and I are pleased to announce that the MONO Medusa Art Tees are finally finished. As a compliment to the MONO Medusa Skateboards that were released in early April, these shirts feature the original artwork of Gabe Pons and are professionally silk screened on American Apparel T-Shirts.
Shirts are currently available at the PONSHOP (916 Liberty Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia) for $16 plus tax. PONSHOP tees and decks are also available at Fredericksburg Skateboards (604 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Va). For those of you far and away, simply email me at shop@ponshopstudio.com to purchase.
Below is the color/size chart of the "Medusa" designs for both Boys and Girls:
We've also printed up more of the "Queen" and "Girl" tees. Here are the current color/sizes:
As a way to keep our blog postings new and fresh, I've incorporated a channel on YouTube to display videos featuring PONSHOP activities such as Art, Ceramics, Skateboarding, and if you're lucky some video of our son, Diego, bouncing around. The "Videos" section of our website will likely be updated with more (and different) content to compliment the site too. Basically, YouTube's videos will be more like news clips, while the PONSHOP Video Page will be our feature "films" so to speak.
Below are some of the videos that you can view on our YouTube Channel , enjoy!
This is a virtual flip-through of the latest sketchbook I've been working on. Initiated after we left NY in 2005, "Equilibrium: freshman chemistry problems and how to solve them" got hit up with all of my art artillery: acrylics, collage, spray paint, etc. I'll continue to work in this book until all 570 pages are filled.
Shot in April of 2006 and left unedited until March 2007, These clips are of Mark Eyestone of Fred Skates and me skating Brooks Park in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Gabe Pons and Rob Landeck followed up their Hyperion Art Show by pitching in for the "Party For Charity" event that took place on Friday, March 30th at the Third Floor Studio (810 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA). Gabe and Rob painted two large canvas murals while bands Boy/Girl, The Gay Blades, and The Transmitters kept people rocking. Organized by Eric Bruner Yang of Pash, this party brought out alot of the young and creative party goers for a good cause. 
The evening included a collective art show, live music, live painting, and a showing of the recently released Fred Skates/Magic Bullet video "City By The Battlefield." At the end of the night, the canvases were raffled off and much money was raised to benefit the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter. More more info on the Party For Charity, click here.
"Mother and Child" by Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons
"Staring at the Sun" by Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons
We are pleased to announce that as Scarlett's Website reaches into its third year, it has been updated and re-designed to keep up with her progressive ceramic work. New pieces at scarlettwares.com include the Wind Bowl Series, Igloo Bud Vases, and her latest achievement-Ceramic Hanging Birdhouses.
Scarlett also modified her site to include more information about the ceramic classes that she offers as well as birthday parties that she's been throwing at LibertyTown Arts Workshop. In the past months, Scarlett has been offering clay workshops for children who want to have a creative and fun way to celebrate their birthday with friends.
"Wind Bowls" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons come in three different sizes and can be viewed here.
The Lamp Tower Series combines Scarlett's study in light, clay, and architectural form.
We're excited to announce that the Fred Skates/Magic Bullet DVD "City By The Battlefield" will make its premiere this month. PONSHOP pitched in by helping create some of the titles and name treatment for this new skateboard video. Below is a schedule of the DVD premieres as well as a brief press release from the Fred Skates/Magic Bullet website:
March 23, 2007: Norfolk, VA @ Relative Theory 271 Granby Street Suite 200, Norfolk, VA 23510 7:00 PM $5.00
March 24, 2007: Fredericksburg, VA @ Central Rappahannock Regional Library 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 7:00 PM FREE * Short films by Robbie Gregson and Zeph Mann
April 1, 2007: Washington, DC @ Warehouse Next Door 1021 7th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001 7:00 PM
As the second in an ongoing series of collaborative DVD's documenting the skateboarders of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Magic Bullet and Fredericksburg Skateboards are proud to present "City By The Battlefield." Filmed over the course of late 2005 and 2006, this installment tracks many of the dynamic characters that make up a small town's skateboarding presence and features a healthy dose of progressive ideas from everyday skaters.
Set to a soundtrack courtesy of Magic Bullet Records & friends (This Will Destroy You, The All-American Rejects, Sparrows Swarm And Sing, Paul Michel, Mosh Patrol, New Idea Society, Forensics, Nitro Tokyo, etc.), "City By The Battlefield" is concrete evidence that while other sports evolve slowly over time and past glory upholds, skateboarding is reinvented daily.
Watch the "City By The Battlefield" Trailer on YouTube:
Friday, March 2nd was the opening party for the (((In Stereo))) show at Hyperion Espresso. For the month of March, Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons are exhibiting over 20 new works on canvas in downtown Fredericksburg (301 William Street). Below are some pics from that evening as well as a complete gallery of the work. You can click the images to view in a larger window. Enjoy!
R. Landeck and G. Pons: rocking in the free world.
Art aficionados Zane and Julian taking it all in (left). Scarlett and Janet chillin' like Bob Dylan (right).
"Rise and Fly" by Rob Landeck: acrylic, collage on canvas, 24"x24" (SOLD)
"Analog Roots: 1985" by Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Analog Roots: 1986" by Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" (SOLD)
"Analog Roots: 1987" by Rob Landeck and Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Still Life In Hip-Hop #2" by Gabriel Pons: acrylic, pencil, spray paint on canvas, 24"x24" $450
"Still Life In Hip-Hop #3" by Gabriel Pons: acrylic, pencil, spray paint on canvas, 24"x24" $450
"Down On Decatur" by Rob Landeck: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 30"x40" $750
"Wrong-Handed Blues" by Rob Landeck: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 30"x40" $750
"Legend Of The Shogun" by Gabriel Pons: acrylic, pencil on canvas, 20"x20" (SOLD)
"Siren's Song Sings You To Shipwreck" by Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $175
"Will Play For Cash" by Rob Landeck: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $125
"My Baby Wants To Rock And Roll" by Gabriel Pons: acrylic, pencil, spray paint on canvas, 30"x30" $675
"Guitar" by Rob Landeck: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" (SOLD)
"King Of Concrete Jungle" by Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, pencil on canvas, 30"x40" (SOLD)
"Overkill" by Rob Landeck: oil on canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Pandora's Box" by Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $145
"InThe Coliseum" by Gabriel Pons: acrylic, pencil, spray paint on canvas, 30"x40" $750
"Medusa (12" Remix)" by Gabriel Pons: collage, acrylic, spray paint on canvas, 12"x12" $175
"I Found God In The Boom Box" by Rob Landeck: acrylic, collage on canvas, 24"x24" $425
"It's The Same Difference" by Rob Landeck: acrylic, collage on canvas, 24"x24" $425
"Home Brew And Joyful Beats" by Rob Landeck: acrylic, collage on canvas, 24"x24" $425
Friday Night Lights: (((In Stereo))) Opening Night Action
Rob and I would like to thank our families,friends, and colleagues for coming out that evening. Special Shout Outs to Cameron and Scarlett, our wives, for their unending support...much love. Also thanks to Mark Eyestone at Fred Skates for helping us install the show. Click Here to read the write up on the show in the Fredericksburg paper.
The "Broken Bones" Benefit Party for local skater Mark Eyestone was a great success. Over 100 people attended this event on a mild Saturday evening to raise over $1,000.00. All proceeds from the benefit will go towards taking a chunk out of Mark's medical costs accrued since he underwent knee surgery in August. Organized by Magic Bullet Records and PONSHOP Studio, this party brought the skateboard community together for a special cause.
Local bands Rocky's Revival and The Byzantines laid down some great music that evening and the much anticipated skate video by Patrick Brastrom made its debut to an enthusuastic crowd. A Silent Auction was also held throughout the party featuring skateboard art by Rob Landeck, Brent Eyestone, and Gabe Pons. Zac Childers donated a small artillery of skateboard products including shirts, hoodies, DVDS, and more. Max Harvey (aka DJ Skull Kid) wrapped up the evening spinning tunes from his two turntable mega-setup.
Below is some writing that was included on the back of the event program:
"There is a stereotype that pervades today’s society when it comes to skateboarding. 'Extreme Sports' are all the rage these days, depiciting thrill-seeking teenagers doing anything that’s over the top and explicitly dangerous. Unfortunately, MTV’s Jackass generation is being spoon-fed all the hype and very little substance when it comes to skateboarding – just like the energy drinks that they want you to consume. All too often skating is being used as a tactic to sell deodorant, cell phones, Big Macs, and video games.
When I met Mark Eyestone for the first time at Fred Skates, I knew that he was in the skateboarding game for all the right reasons, not because it made him look cool or popular, and it definitely wasn’t the money or fame. Mark has an inherent love for skating, and it shows not just in his abilities on a board, but in the way that he treats his friends and all the people around him.
Of course, tonight’s event is to show Mark our support and to help him recover from his knee surgery. But tonight is also for the kids: skaters, non-skaters, and skaters to be. This party is for the parents and adults in the audience so that they can see how talented and creative our youth really are. Fredericksburg’s skateboard scene is alive and well today because of people like Mark, who smile when they’re rolling on a plank of wood and wheels."
Enjoy, Gabe
The Broken Bones Reception Desk
MC Mono presents the bands
Rocky's Revival kicked the night off...
Phelan , Luca, and Zach on fire.
Patrick's 30 minute skate video drew the biggest crowd...
Skate Video Still: Eric on the 180 Stair Leap
The Byzantines: Jon Manning, Daniel Bachman, Alden Newcomb
Scarlett as the MONO Queen with Janet rockin' beer goggles
The man of the evening Mark Eyestone with his wife Lane and host G. Pons (aka Mr. Monkey)
On behalf of the PONSHOP, Magic Bullet Records, and Fredericksburg Skateboards, we'd like to thank all the people that made the party such a success: Dan Finnegan and the LibertyTown Staff, The Eyestone Family, The Suhy and Pons Families, The Byzantines, Rocky's Revival, The Harvey Family, Patrick and Mr. Paul Brastrom, Janet and Charlie Hahn, Rob Landeck and family, Rachael Taylor, Shelley Richards, Daniel Bachman and family, Phelan O'Connor, Zac Childers, Chris Hupman, Adam of the Fredericksburg All Ages Shows, The Skaters of Fredericksburg, and to all the parents that continue to support and encourage their kids in doing what they love, however crazy it may be.
The PONSHOP is excited to announce that we'll be teaming up with Magic Bullet Records to host a benefit party for friend and fellow skater, Mark Eyestone. Mark is co-owner of Fredericksburg Skateboards and has dedicated his career into promoting and preserving skateboarding in his hometown of Fredericksburg. Last May, he was injured while skateboarding, which resulted in a significant amount of knee surgery including ACL replacement.
Mark Eyestone rocks to fakie in the streets of Fredericksburg. Photo by Chris Hupman