On August 20, I attended the 2nd annual art fundraiser Waste-Less. The fundraising and art event was presented by Surfrider Newport Beach and hosted by Volcom in the indoor skate park at their world headquarters in Costa Mesa. The art/fundraising event was open to the public with a suggested donation at the door.
The event was held at the Volcom headquarters in Costa Mesa
It was well attended by different groups, from Gen Z, avid skaters, beach goers, art aficionados to millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers. Parents who brought their kiddos enjoyed the food, art and networking while their kids took pleasure on sliding the indoor skate park. Inside the skate park, an oversized screen showed surf movies. As attendees entered, they were greeted by a humongous installation of bottles with straws created by Jana Cruder and Matthew LaPuenta. The oversized bottles and straws were a symbol of consumer behavior disposing of single-use-plastics. On the other corner of the skate park was the art exhibit. Aside from local artists, there were also international artists and artists from other states who participated in the exhibit with photography, painting, sculpture and more. During the event there was an art auction and raffle items donated by companies sponsors. Proceeds from the raffle and bar went towards placing more fill stations in the community to reduce plastic water bottle use. 50% of the proceeds from all art sold was donated to the Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach campaign “Rise Above Plastics“.
My two boys at the Volcom headquarters private skate park
Local and international artists showcases art of different media
The proceeds are being used to get more water fill stations on the beach in the hopes that people will bring their reusable bottles to fill. Each fill station cost $5,000 to get and install. The aim is to discourage the use of plastic water bottles and caps that end up littering our beaches. Despite best efforts of volunteers, only a limited amount of the plastic gets recycled and some of it ends up in the ocean.
Art for a Cause
Waste-Less was a very successful event. It had all the ingredients – awareness through a large art installation, music, movies, food, art, raffles and a fun venue, Volcom skatepark and most importantly brought awareness to the cause.
Proceeds from the raffle and bar will go towards placing more fill stations to reduce plastic water bottle use
A giant straw for the awareness of No Beach Plastic campaign
Ruchel Freibrun at the Volcom Headquarters
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