Artist Alley at Boards & Waves Expo III June 3 and 4

The third Boards & Waves Expo is happening June 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Melbourne Auditorium (625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne, FL). The East Coast’s only consumer surf expo will host more than 60 exhibits of surfboards, surf accessories, action sports-related displays, surfboard shaping demos and daily homemade surfboard reviews, sponsored by Millennium Foam. In addition, the Expo will feature Artist Alley, which will showcase surfboard painting daily as well as beach-inspired artists from around the state of Florida.

Samantha Gallo, a Brevard resident and owner of Sam Art, began painting as a child and has been designing in the Space Coast area for the past year after relocating from Georgia. Her designs range from charcoal portraits to bright and abnormal creatures.

According to Gallo, her art is influenced by emotion and inspiration around her and painting on boards (surf, skate and SUP), customizing shoes and painting large murals are among her favorite things to create.

“Some artists say that creating by inspiration is starvation for an artist, but I find inspiration all around me, every day here,” Gallo said. “How can you not create bright and fun designs when you live in such a beautiful and active place?”

At the Expo, Gallo will be displaying hand-painted hats and shoes, canvas pieces and her art boards, which are retired surfboards that received a SAM ART facelift. In addition, she will be painting a surfboard live both days, which is always a crowd favorite. She will also hold a surfboard design contest for the groms and gromettes (surf lingo for a young participant in extreme sports). The winner of the contest will receive a custom SAM ART surf or skateboard design.

Also at the Expo will be glass carver, Kyle Goodwin, owner of Goodwin Glassworks in St. Augustine, Fla., who will feature his glass pieces with carved and etched images, some that light up. In addition, he will display his glass wave sculptures which are certainly a must-see.

“In general, artists are much like board builders – creative, passionate craftsmen who toil to create amazing designs and yet many times aren’t rewarded financially for the hours and years of commitment and focus,” Expo Producer, Dave Seehafer, said. “The Artist Alley is a showcase of those artists whose designs are inspired by the beach, the ocean and the waves, much like shapers.”

For more information on Boards & Waves Expo III, visit https://www.boardsandwaves.com/, for SAM ART, visit https://www.facebook.com/SAMGALLOART/, and for Goodwin Glass, visit https://www.hunterglass.com/ and https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodwinGlassworks.

About Boards & Waves Expo III

Boards & Waves Expo III, the East Coast’s only consumer surf expo, will host more than 60 exhibits of surfboards, paddleboards, surf and SUP accessories, action sports-related displays, surf board shaping demos and a daily homemade surfboard review sponsored by Millennium Foam. In addition, surfboard painting and beach-inspired artists will be showcased on Artist Alley, and prizes, including a Ricky Carroll surfboard, FCS accessory package and Rooker Outdoor cooler, will be raffled off daily. Cost to attend the event is $5 daily; free admission for children under 10. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Surfers For Autism in memory of Dick Catri and to the Buddy Pelletier Foundation on behalf of Pete Dooley; an additional donation will be made to the Melbourne High Surf Team travel fund. For more information, visit https://www.boardsandwaves.com/.