Eleven artists turn skate decks into unique works in Florianópolis from March 10; Olympic medalist Pedro Barros donated an exclusive piece to benefit youth skating.
Florianópolis holds a remarkable distinction: it is the Brazilian city with the most skaters on the national Olympic team. That legacy now fuels a new cultural project. The first edition of Skate Art opens on March 10 at Moochacho, a beloved bar in the Trindade neighborhood, from 7 PM onward. Admission is free.
Decks as canvas, city as muse
Curated by Juliano Zanotelli, the show brings together eleven artists from diverse backgrounds — some with national and international recognition — all working with skate decks as their artistic medium. The creative theme for this 2026 edition is the 353rd anniversary of Florianópolis, celebrated on March 23. Local legends, traditions, landscapes, and natural beauty are woven into each piece.
“Each invited artist brings their own language and interpretation to the decks, creating a diverse and representative portrait of the contemporary art scene,” says curator Zanotelli.
The participating artists are: Dimmer, Gabriela Olivia, Jefsu, João Aguiar, Macaco, Marcelo Camacho, Nadyne Garcia, Roberta Bridi, Rodrigo Levél, Rodrigo Rizo, and Wagner Kuroiwa.
The exhibition also marks the 10th anniversary of Moochacho, Brazil’s first burrito bar. “We are completing our first decade this year, and hosting an exhibition that is so aligned with our DNA reinforces that we are a meeting point for great food, art, and culture,” says owner Anderson Maciel.
Art funding grassroots skating
Beyond the artistic dimension, Skate Art carries a strong social mission. A portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will go to the Ascop (Associação dos Skatistas da Costeira do Pirajubaé), the only officially registered skate organization in Florianópolis. Founded in 2009, Ascop provides free monthly classes to around 50 children and young people.
The support arrives at a critical moment. Association president Daniel Bob describes the situation:
“Until the end of February we were receiving funding from the Sports Incentive Law, which helped pay the teachers’ salaries. But we couldn’t renew it. Now, with the exhibition, we’ll be able to build a small fund for the teachers and keep the free classes running for the community until we secure new support.” — Daniel Bob, president of Ascop
Throughout the exhibition period, Moochacho will also serve as a donation drop-off point for wheels, decks, and other equipment in good condition to support students’ gear needs.
Pedro Barros and a one-of-a-kind deck
Olympic medalist and Florianópolis native Pedro Barros donated an exclusive piece to the show. The deck was created during the pandemic in collaboration with Harry OG Jumonji, a legendary Brazilian skater and pioneer of street skating in New York during the 1980s and 1990s.
“The deck was painted by me and Harry — we worked on the art together. The design, the shape, and even the choice of wood were all made by us. We built everything at the Drop Dead factory. This deck doesn’t exist on the market; it’s a replica of a very old model I used to have.” — Pedro Barros, Olympic medalist
The full proceeds from the sale of this exclusive piece will go entirely to Ascop.
Visitor Info
Event: Skate Art — 1st edition
Opening: March 10, 2026, from 7 PM
Dates: Through April 11, 2026, Monday to Sunday, 11 AM – 11 PM
Venue: Moochacho — Avenida Desembargador Vítor Lima, 498, Trindade neighborhood, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil (near UFSC)
Admission: Free
Organized by: Moochacho, in partnership with Ascop and with support from Paris do Brasil
Photo: Disclosure
