Some of the biggest names in skateboarding culture have signed on to support the renovation and expansion of the Montauk Skate Park, which will benefit from an art auction to be held on Saturday at the Montauk Beach House.
"Skateboarding has blown up. It's making its debut in the Olympics this summer — about time," said J.J. Veronis, a street artist and metal sculptor who is an organizer of the fund-raiser. And it's also about time, he said, that the Montauk Skate Park got some attention.
It's happening through a joint effort among East Hampton Town officials, skateboarding enthusiasts, artists, and friends and fans of the late Andy Kessler, a skating legend and the creator of the Montauk park in 1999.
Saturday's festivities will start there at noon, with skating, raffles, the sale of merchandise, and more. The park is at 76 South Edison Street. Afterward, from 5 to 9 p.m., the party will continue at the Montauk Beach House at 55 South Elmwood Avenue, which has donated the use of its gallery space for the fund-raiser.
Many of the works up for auction use skateboards as a canvas, though there are also sculptures, silk screens, photo prints, and "quite an array" of other artworks, Mr. Veronis said. There will be a piece by Eric (Haze) Lieber, a designer of rap music album art and the new uniforms of the Brooklyn Nets, and a piece by Cosmo Hamada, a 17-year-old East Hamptoner who is a skater and up-and-coming filmmaker and artist. Johnny Swing, Andy (Zephyr) Witten, Erik Foss, and Raoul (Joker) Ollman are also among the contributing artists. Many of the works honor Mr. Kessler himself.
The goal is to raise $1 million to make the Montauk park a true destination for youth. Tito Porrata of Pivot Custom, who designs and builds skate parks all over the world, has been chosen as the contractor.
Participants will have to register online ahead of time to take part in the bidding and can do so at montaukskateparkfundraiser.com. The auction, which is open to everyone, not just in-person bidders, closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
"Skating embodies creativity and independence, and a sense of community that evolves through skaters and their characteristics," said Mr. Veronis, a longtime friend of Mr. Kessler. "It's not an organized thing and it's not heavily funded. All you need is a skateboard."