“People see rock and roll as youth culture, and when youth culture becomes monopolized by big business, then what are the youth to do?”

–Thurston Moore & The Radio Dept.

How deeply words mixed with sound can propel a society: pop culture, politics, love and loss. A dangerous concoction we should not (and could not) ever tire of — looking back into the music history books and forward into the crystal ball. “When I look at you Heaven’s on Fire….. Heaven’s on Fire.” Bursts of flaming emotion and melodious images set to an all-new tune at AR4T Gallery, Heaven’s on Fire is a rousing mix of original artwork by CARSON GRIER, STEVE WHELAN, DAVID BLAKE and KLEE VAN HAMERSVELD, photography by GARY COPELAND, LISA JOHNSON, LINDSEY BYRNES and JESSE FULTON, and special art preview from STICKY SHAW. All about music, whatever that means.

Thurston Moore answered his own question: “I think we should destroy the bogus capital process that is destroying youth culture.” But that’s just one man’s answer…

“Sid”: Carson Grier.
Flyer: Spire Design.

Coming next to AR4T Gallery…

“Heaven’s on Fire” opens Thursday, October 6th at 7:00pm

Sneak preview from Gary Copeland.

After packing our art space last Saturday Zac Marben can now add gallery artist to his list of renaissance-man pursuits. With his first solo show, which happened to come as a well-timed fiesta party at the end of a hectic snowboard premiere week schedule, a lot of curious people got to see the talents that lie within this Portland-based snowboarder. He didn’t disappoint, sending a number of buyers home with Marben originals by the end of the 93 Octane-scented Laguna night. Dano Forte played first, followed by the loud latin spell of El Mysterioso as motorcycles came and eventually left (sorry, upstairs neighbors!!). Big thank yous to Vans, Arnette and O’Shea Brewing Co. for helping debut one of the most prolific and promising artistic talents in snowboarding right now. Yeah, Zac! If you missed the show, it will be up for 2 more weekends! — Sept. 21-24 and Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Regular gallery hours are Weds. through Sat. 1-6pm or e-mail dana@ar4t.com for private look anytime. Some of Zac’s in-demand ink on paper ($150-$200), and even some larger pieces, are still available to buy.

SEE MORE EVENT PICS >> by Jesse Fulton

While they were on the road driving from their new place in SE Portland to Orange County, CA, I hit up Zac’s lady Becca with a few questions. One thing not mentioned in this short interview is their story about how some of the art in his show was rescued out of a burning building when they had a house fire a few months back. It’s pretty crazy to think about what possessions you might save if you only had a limited amount of time. I think I would have to agree with Zac and Becca… save as much of the art as you can. So here are the questions with Becca… and a few sneek peeks at tonight’s show.

1. Has Zac ever done a solo art show?
2. What has the energy been like while Zac has been preparing for the show?
3. What is your favorite piece from Zac?
4. Can you tell me a little about Zac’s other creative outlets? bikes… travel… mustaches…etc. Bonus: What is something most people don’t know about Zac?

1. This will be Zac’s first solo art show.

2. The energy has been exciting. Since Zac found out it would be a solo show, he has really kicked it into a creative gear, so to speak. I recently flew home to MN and we had to wake up at 5am to get to the airport. Three hours later when I landed I got several texts from him showing these amazing paintings he had done while I was in the air…it wasn’t even 9am in Oregon.

3. I love Zac’s “Holy Wolfman” and “Zoe”, a painting of one of his Thai Ridgebacks.

4. You mean besides snowboarding, building custom motorcycles, making art and playing music?  Zac is also a lover of fine dining and good wine, gardening, travel and photography.

5. Zac has a green thumb! He has an impressive knowledge about plants and gardening in general. We get to eat fresh from the garden daily; it’s great!

[ZAC MARBEN SOLO ART opens Sept. 17, 2011]

1. What are the types of media you’re using?
Zac: For this show, I have all sorts of medias. I mostly did acrylic paint on canvas or wood. I did some ink on paper. I cut out two skateboards and painted them with acrylic paint. I did one collaboration with my brother. He carved out a electric guitar body and I gold leafed it and did some other accents with heavy polymer resin over it.  I used some latex paint and oil based markers on some of the larger canvases. I enlarged a few photos and painted accents into them and covered them in polymer resin. basically all kinds of stuff going on.

2. What (or who) are your artistic inspirations?
Zac: I get inspired all the time from old print and illustrations I come across. Art I see around town, or on the Internet. I don’t really have any specific people that I follow.

3. What was your first art piece ever?…and how has your art style developed over time?
Zac: I have no idea what my first art piece was. I have been painting and drawing ever since I was a little tike. I remember the first painting I took a long time on though. I painted my pet chameleon I thought it turned out cool, I was probably 9 years old. I still have it. As for my style, I guess I have just cleaned up my stuff. Came into a few patterns and techniques I like to use.

4. Last Nov. we asked Jamie Lynn why the art community in skateboarding has always seemed more prevalent than in snowboarding, and he brought the conversation back to snowboarding by mentioning your name. What do you think about the art community in snowboarding and where it’s going?
Zac: I guess when I think of art in snowboarding Jaime’s name definitely comes to mind. I also think of Brian Iguchi and Mike Parillo. Other than that there really aren’t that many snowboarders getting down with art these days. I see a lot of snowboarders getting into music and photography. I’d like to see some more art projects going down though.

ZAC MARBEN SOLO ART SHOW: Opening Sat., Sept. 17, 2011. SPONSORED BY: ARNETTE & VANS. MUSIC: DANO FORTE’s JUKE JOINT FREAKSHOW &! EL MYSTERIOSO.

Karlee Mackie moves like a graceful whirlwind. She left us this beautiful “vozz” after her stellar art show here in August. Check out these 2 new TSG helmet designs by her too. Love!

New friends of the gallery, Patrick and Mickey, fell in love with some of the promo art for the Collaborations show and took it home with them to Arizona. They shared a few photos with us – it’s always cool to see where art finds it’s home. Thanks Patrick and Mickey!!

Blog excerpt, Nov. 2010:
Jamie Lynn Q&A – PART TWO

Interview by Christine Rasmussen, Durango, CO, Nov. 10, 2010

Christine: The art community in skateboarding has always seemed more prevalent to me; why do you think that is?

Jamie Lynn: It’s a difficult question. I see certain individuals like Zak Marben who’s an incredible artistic individual, and that kind of person in the younger generation gives me hope that it’s still part of something I’ve grown up with, which is snowboarding. Maybe I’m just not out there enough to see it and maybe there is more of a creative side that I’m just not aware of. As far as seeing it in the mainstream and what’s on the shelf – what the designers are working on behind the scenes to get the products out there that the pro’s are putting underneath their feet or on their body – seems like maybe it’s an easier way to get those products out there, to pay an in-house designer to do what they do best, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just like, there are some people who are into it and there are some people who aren’t. Maybe growing up, it was something through skateboarding I was attracted to. I believe there are others who will continue that legacy in snowboarding as well; I’d like to see it.

Read the complete interview here – AR4T.com/blog/page/10/

Sept. 17, all new art by Zac Marben…

We are happy to announce our next show opening September 17, 2011.

Sponsored by ARNETTE and VANS, ZAC MARBEN makes his way down to the gallery from his current home in Portland, Oregon with all new art. Zac’s opening has music from DANO FORTE’s JUKE JOINT FREAKSHOW as well as a lone wolf for one evening… EL MYSTERIOSO. Music, drinks, friends, a kick off to what hopefully will be an epic winter…. It’s from seven to ten pm, email info@AR4T if you need info.