Aaron Cayer’s Antique shop combines local graphic designers and athletes.
There’s a new shop in Centretown for local artists to show their work, but the art they practice is far from traditional.
The art, performed in the streets, merges sport and creative expression through skateboarding.
The store, Antique, combines local graphic designers and athletes to foster a sense of community with skateboarding enthusiasts, while showcasing local talent.
“Skateboarding is a very creative activity because there are no rules,” says owner Aaron Cayer. “It’s very subjective, you can never attribute points, like something like the Olympics.”
As an individual activity, Cayer says it is easy to express oneself through the sport.
One of the biggest barriers to skateboarding is finding people to do it with, he says, which is why the store will be a meeting place.
Indeed, it is filled with young skateboarders who practice outside the store on Florence Street.
The front of the store houses a “Community Board” where there are interviews with local skateboarders printed out on large placards, a map of the best places to skate in the city, and other resources to help make connections with other Ottawa skateboarders.
“A skate company should give back to the community that supports it,” says Cayer, adding the store will also serve as a venue for local artists and bands.
The opening showcased paintings by tattoo artists Julian Garner, and Joel Conroy.
“We wanted an open concept in a store to be able to host parties, shows, art shows,” says Cayer. “I only know that it has to match the hard work and passion that we put into the shop.”
Cayer says skateboarding is an activity that bridges the gap between people who may not be able to afford to play team sports.
Tom Pajdlhauser, the store’s creative director, says team sports aren’t accessible due to the high cost of equipment.
“Skateboarding takes less equipment and promotes creativity and individuality,” says Pajdlhauser, who also works as a graphic artist and co-designed the interior of store with Garner. The inside of the store is made entirely of materials that one would use to construct a skate park.
Antique is currently working with the city and the Ottawa Skateboard Community Association, developed by Cayer, to build more skate parks, including the city’s first indoor park.
Kyle Robertson, the store’s manager, says without this kind of venue, skateboarders have to travel to Montreal when they can’t ride in the city.
Antique will also act as a reference for people looking to build their own skate parks, and will put skateboarders in touch with those who can help construct it.
Cayer says the store will provide other products such as cement to build the parks, free of charge.
These tools are bought with the profit made from the store, which sells clothing designed by local graphic artists as well as other goods like skateboarding shoes.