Project Backboard

Image 🎨@carlosrolon 𝘎𝘈𝘔𝘌! 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 Great Park Gallery, Irvine, CA Exhibition: May 17–July 26 Opening Reception: Sunday, May 17, 1–3 p.m. Gallery Hours: Thursdays & Fridays: Noon–4 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 𝘎𝘈𝘔𝘌! 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 celebrates basketball as a source of creative expression and community connection. Anchored by the imaginative resurfacing of the Great Park’s four basketball courts — which feature original, site-specific art by California artist, Katy Ann Gilmore — the exhibition showcases a selection of contemporary artists from the book, Common Practice: Basketball and Contemporary Art, exploring the culture and aesthetics of basketball, alongside a survey of Project Backboard’s national and international court renovations. Exhibiting artists include: Adrian Kay Wong @adriankaywong Andrea Bergart @andreabergart Anthony Rianda @anthonyrianda Boyang Hou @whoshobo Brian Lotti @brianlotti Cheryl Pope @cherylpope Diego Gaeta #diegogaeta Joseph Sherman @josephlouissherman JR @jr Kadir Nelson @kadirnelson Katy Ann Gilmore @katyanngilmore Kevin Couliau @kev.couliau Madame Fraankie @mmefraankie Madjeen Isaac @madjeenisaac Paul Pfeiffer @pmp2021 Paula Henderson @paulahenderson222 RaMell Ross @ramellross Rebekah Andrade @rebekah_andrade Reuben Gordon @reubensfunkykitchen Todd Hebert @toddhebert_ Tyrrell Winston @tyrrellwinston

WE’RE BACK 🎥🎨🏀 It’s official—Season Four is here. And this year… we’re doing something different. I’ve got a new co-host. Shout out to @jaszy__jayy LETS GOOOO. We can’t wait to tell your stories. From blacktops to backyards, cities to countries basketball lives everywhere. Every Court Has A Story is a global platform built to spotlight the courts, communities, and creators using the game to make an impact. 🎥 Submissions Open: April 1 ⏳ Submissions Close: May 15 🏆 Winner Announced: June 1 We’ll be announcing our Season 4 judges soon 👀👀👀 who will review submissions from around the world and help select this year’s winners. Your court. Your story. Your moment. Let’s show the world what the game really looks like. Submit your story now at everycourthasastory.com #ECHAS #EveryCourtHasAStory Shot by @thirteen.south & @jr.hldn 🎥

Here are a few helpful install tricks we’ve learned over the years (full renovation guide PDF by @tripledoublestudio and video by @fearoffear_sk on the FAQs page of our website)… 1. Texture: Use sports specific resurfacing and color coating materials only for the best durability and texture… 2: Squeegee: Use a squeegee for color coating as much as possible, if you don’t have experience ask a local contractor to assist with large sections… 3. Soapstone > Chalk to draw artwork: Soapstone leaves less residue, lasts longer and is easier to tape to a pole than chalk (so you can walk and draw) - check the welding section of your hardware store… 4. Brushes > Rollers: 5” - 9” brushes that can attach to a pole (made for staining decks or coating roofs) work better than rollers and can be washed and used over and over… 5. Ghost Lines: If you have a white game line over a white section use “ghost lines” - 0.7” - 1” tape on each side of your game line - for visibility (and always seal your tape before painting to reduce bleed)… 6. Corner 3: If your court is less than 40’ wide (so you can’t make the corner three at least 18’ from the post) run the three point line directly into the sideline - a 15’ jumper from the corner shouldn’t be worth an extra point! #🎨🚧🏀renovationguide

I don’t post about my day job too much here, but this project is too massive and rad not to share. For the last 12-24 months I’ve been working with @project_backboard on conceptualizing and executing a 10 year retrospective of their work across the globe, along with an exhibition of contemporary work that uses basketball as a subject. It’s been a pleasure to work on this and it’s all coming to life this Sunday, May 17th. But to go back even further, sometime around 2018/2019 (maybe earlier?) I met with @katyanngilmore to discuss a potential public art project. At the time, nothing was actually realized (typical bureaucracy)… fast forward a good amount of years, I was able to introduce @katyanngilmore to @project_backboard and help facilitate four ground murals that occupy the basketball courts at great park. Anyways, lengthy ass post all to say I’m psyched we have crossed the line, and I’m proud of everyone’s efforts and work. Thanks to my co workers and everyone involved who made this possible. Show opens Sunday with a great lineup of artists and runs through the end of July: Adrian Kay Wong @adriankaywong Andrea Bergart @andreabergart Anthony Rianda @anthonyrianda Boyang Hou @whoshobo Brian Lotti @brianlotti Cheryl Pope @cherylpope Diego Gaeta Joseph Sherman @josephlouissherman JR @jr Kadir Nelson @kadirnelson Katy Ann Gilmore @katyanngilmore Kevin Couliau @kev.couliau Madame Fraankie @mmefraankie Madjeen Isaac @madjeenisaac Paul Pfeiffer @pmp2021 Paula Henderson @paulahenderson222 RaMell Ross @ramellross Rebekah Andrade @rebekah_andrade Reuben Gordon @reubensfunkykitchen Todd Hebert @toddhebert_ Tyrrell Winston @tyrrellwinston

🚨 On The Clock 🚨 Today is the last day to submit your video to for season 4 and opportunity to get your community court renovated. S/o to everybody that has submitted a video so far the stuff is looking amazing and it’s been dope hearing so many great community stories. HEAD TO NOW AND UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO DONT OVER THINK IT I PROMISE YOU WILL DO GOOD!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend and wishing nothing but good luck to everybody that submitted. Peace -S

Day 7 🇯🇵 Cab rides, store runs for supplies, trying new desserts 🍰, and finally putting down the first coats of Dodger Blue 🎨💙 One thing about these trips it’s always a mix of work, laughs, random snack stops, s/o to @devontsunostudio for the fire color palette 😎 The color is starting to hit different already!! Legooooo ✌🏾 #PlayWithPurpose #Japan #ArtCourts

Day 6 🇯🇵 Ever since we linked two years ago, I’ve always been inspired by how deep the conversations go with Senn… From sports, film, fashion, he really is the cheat code. Yesterday he pulled up to the court to help tape, paint, and build with the team while we talked about linking back up with @go_parkey + @project_backboard again. That’s the part I love most about these projects… the people, the stories, and the moments in between the paint 🎨🇯🇵 Always a good time when Senn is in the building 🙌🏾🔥 #ProjectBackboard #GoParky #Tokyo #BasketballCulture #ArtMeetsBasketball

⏰ THE CLOCK IS TICKING ⏰      If your community court needs love, this is your moment. Submit your video to Every Court Has a Story before May 15 at midnight and let your voice be heard. Don’t overthink it just tell your story and hit upload! 🎬🏀 Good luck Make sure you head over to and upload your video #Season4 #EveryCourtHasAStory #PlayWithPurpose

Now open 📍 @yourgreatpark in Irvine, CA, Project Backboard’s largest ever renovation across four full 🏀 courts with site specific artwork by 🎨 @katyanngilmore made possible with support from @artsinirvine @cityofirvine @jds.sports #playwithpurpose Join us this Sunday, May 17, from 1-3pm to celebrate with live music, free posters, art making activities, open runs on the new courts, and a 10-year retrospective exhibition of Project Backboard’s work in the Great Park Gallery along with works from @katyanngilmore and a selection of artworks celebrating basketball and community, with support from @acommonpractice Cover 📷 @resoe_27 𝘎𝘈𝘔𝘌! 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 Great Park Gallery, Irvine, CA Exhibition: May 17–July 26 Opening Reception: Sunday, May 17, 1–3 p.m. Gallery Hours: Thursdays & Fridays: Noon–4 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 𝘎𝘈𝘔𝘌! 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 celebrates basketball as a source of creative expression and community connection. Anchored by the imaginative resurfacing of the Great Park’s four basketball courts — which feature original, site-specific art by California artist, Katy Ann Gilmore — the exhibition showcases a selection of contemporary artists from the book, Common Practice: Basketball and Contemporary Art, exploring the culture and aesthetics of basketball, alongside a survey of Project Backboard’s national and international court renovations. Exhibiting artists include: Adrian Kay Wong @adriankaywong Andrea Bergart @andreabergart Anthony Rianda @anthonyrianda Boyang Hou @whoshobo Brian Lotti @brianlotti Cheryl Pope @cherylpope Diego Gaeta #diegogaeta Joseph Sherman @josephlouissherman JR @jr Kadir Nelson @kadirnelson Katy Ann Gilmore @katyanngilmore Kevin Couliau @kev.couliau Madame Fraankie @mmefraankie Madjeen Isaac @madjeenisaac Paul Pfeiffer @pmp2021 Paula Henderson @paulahenderson222 RaMell Ross @ramellross Rebekah Andrade @rebekah_andrade Reuben Gordon @reubensfunkykitchen Todd Hebert @toddhebert_ Tyrrell Wi

日本5日目 🇯🇵 Started the day off with some amazing food 🍜 and good laughs 😂 and somehow ended the night with a little rain 🌧️ and even more laughs. It’s really dope seeing how clean and respectful the culture is out here… definitely an eye opener for sure 👀🇯🇵 I’m tired and sleepy lol 😴 Catch y’all on Day 6 ✌🏾✨

Kicking off Day 4️⃣ in Tokyo 🇯🇵 Somebody said 24 hrs ain’t enough for the daily recaps 🤦🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️ so throwing them on the feed everyday for the next 15 days. Let me know what yall think should I post the recaps everyday on the feed or the story 👀 BE HONEST lol Still can’t believe we are in Tokyo painting a basketball court AGAIN!!! S/o @ab_tokyo @go_parkey @project_backboard for the opportunity. “INSTALL TEAM” @jzzam_peterson @1.j4hlil @ralph_sunga21 #Tokyo #PlayWithPurpose #everycourthasastory

IN STORE NOW 🎟️ Finally got a chance to see the @project_backboard x @fat_tokyo  x @go_parkey  x @sbskateboardjournal pieces in the FAT store in Tokyo 🇯🇵🏀 Crazy because two years ago we were sitting around talking about what a collaboration like this could look like… and now fast forward to seeing the pieces actually hanging in the store is dope. The whole collection is 🔥 and honestly every piece feels thoughtful, creative, and true to the culture. Here is a video of me talking through the collection and a few of my favorite pieces from the drop 👀 Hope everybody has a great Wednesday. If you’re in Tokyo or just wanna support, head over to shopping.fat.yo and grab some pieces… and tell them I sent you 😎🏀✨ Peace ✌🏾