Considering that it's home to a long-standing community of ardent skateboarders, where else but in California might you expect to see an anthology of skate art from the 1960s to the present? In what promises to be a refreshingly fun and enlightening show, over 300 skateboard decks by artists and skaters from across the country come out of the garage, the attic or off the shelf for display in “Full Deck” at Walnut Creek’s Bedford Gallery starting July 5th until September 13th. With unique hand-painted decks, recent commercial boards, historic decks, photography, painting, prints, sculpture and video the exhibition will illustrate how the culture of skateboarding has grown hand-in-hand with visual arts. Bedford curator Carrie Lederer states, “The colorful images on the bottom of a skateboard are one of the purest forms of self-expression: highly personal and mostly created without artistic boundaries—just like skateboarding itself.”

Among its many offerings, “Full Deck” will include one-of-a-kind hand-stained decks by Skip Engblom, co-founder of Zepher Skate Shop, early boards, circa 1960, from pro skater Sam Cunningham, rare commercial decks such as Element and Enjoi from the collection of Mark Whiteley, editor of SLAP magazine in San Francisco, and selections from the collections of Walnut Creek’s pro skaters Corey Duffel and Holly Lyons. Metro Skate (Pleasant Hill), StreetCorner Skate (San Francisco), and Thrasher magazine (San Francisco) will also participate.

Meet and mix with skate culture celebs at the recession friendly $5 opening reception on Thursday, July 9, 6-8 p.m., when Sean Cliver, author of The Disposable Skateboard Bible, will be signing copies of his skateboard art anthologies. Saturday, August 15, is Bedford Skate Day. For free admission, visitors can enjoy art activities in the gallery from 1-3 p.m. followed by a pro-skate demo from 3-4 p.m. Those 21 years+ have a great opportunity to relish moments of culture, appreciating skate film and live music while sipping their favorite cocktail on Thursday, September 10, 6-8 p.m.—only $7.