Get in touch: anthony@anthonypappalardo.com
PROJECT PORTFOLIO
No Trend was a group art show that I curated in 2017. The show ran for two months and proceeds were donated to Keenan Forever: The Keenan Milton Foundation.
Role: Curator
Year: 2017
Project Manager: Ben Sisto
LINK TO READ ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
One of two events I produced for Ace Hotel New York. The gallery space was challenging but, hey, skateboarding trained me for that.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Village Psychic
POSTER DESIGN: Anthony Pappalardo
As a Baker/Deathwish fan, I wanted to see if they'd be down to screen their latest video, Baker Has a Deathwish 2, in Santa Fe, NM. After Amy Gunther Ellington (KCDC) got us linked up, Erik Ellington & the Baker Boys had a bigger vision resulting in a full day of events & two collaborative artist decks benefitting local collective Valley Skates.
Along with a free screening at Violet Crown, we worked with local artists George Alexander (Ofuskie) and Kevin Beltrán to produce limited edition decks, had an open studio signing at Alexander's studio, and a special opening performance by Jamaal-Issac Jones & Kenneth Shirley of Indigenous Enterprises to set things off.
Role: Producer
Year: 2024
Squad: Baker Boys, George Alexander, Kevin Beltrán, Valley Skates
Opening Ceremonial Dance by Indigenous Enterprises
An exercise in "Why Not?" In May 2024 we brought some of the Deathwish squad to Santa Fe for a memorable day of NBDs.
Photograph by Wes Cunningham
Photograph by Wes Cunningham
Loyal Fan With OG Baker 3 VHS
Photograph by Wes Cunningham
PHOTOGRAPHS: Wes Cunningham, Kevin Beltrán & Anthony Pappalardo
Shorter than a novella & longer than something short. In 2021 I decided to self-publish this piece of writing that has little to do with the Couteau Twins.
"She's a popular girl leading a dark double life. He's an intentional outcast, happily existing out of their small town's social hierarchy. They both use every moment outside of school and work to escape the suburban malaise, often with severe repercussions. Nothing ever happens in their town but there's so much going on."
In 2020 I decided to revisit some old writing that wouldn't leave my brain. I proceeded to chop it up, rework the lame parts & self-publish it. I ended up selling over 1,000 copies so I guess it wasn't the worst.
Heaven or Las Vegas is a work of fiction set in early-'90s New England, oscillating between two strong-minded teenagers' distinct worlds and the subcultures they choose as home, no matter how unstable.
Role: Author
Year: 2021
Specs: 60 pages / Paperback / Out of Print
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A lot of teenagers I went to high school with spent their money on cool cars. The cash I made working at a supermarket went to clothes, skateboards & sneakers. I'd like to think those choices helped me write for HUF.
I was lucky enough to meet Keith Hufnagel and interview him a few times. The tallest object I ever ollied was on a Huf Real board and I don't think that's a coincidence. Through Skaters Vote I was able to work with Ben Kelly and eventually was hired to work on copy for HUF.
Along with crafting product stories, I was able to work on their first hardcover book as well as some special projects pictured here.
The HUF x Air Max 1 was a big rollout. I wrote the snappy line in Futura Condensed Extra Bold along with copy for the shoe's microsite & was very psyched about that. You can also read some of the interviews I've done for their Common Thread series below.
Role: Copywriter
Year: 2021 - Present
Project Manager: Ben Kelly
COMMON THREAD: TESS CROCKETT
COMMON THREAD: JACOB HARRIS
COMMON THREAD: FRANK PINELLO
COMMON THREAD: GARY ROGERS
Lawrence Wilmington is a label I founded with Brian Gempp. Our first release is a gatefold double LP titled Propeller Product Prop 4-1. Bob Weston (Shellac/Chicago Mastering Service) was kind enough to work diligently to master the material and make it sound incredible & true to the era.
"Long traded and coveted, discussed and debated, Propeller Product’s 1981 cassette compilation finally receives a physical release reflecting its original intention and aim. Founded as a collective in 1981, Propeller took inspiration from Factory Records and the “pay no more” ethos of Dischord Records and CRASS. Prop 4-1 offers a unique window into Boston and the American post-punk underground. Led by Justin Burrill, Michael Cudahy, and Steve Gregoropoulous, alongside a constellation of curious cohorts."
Role: Co-Founder
Year: 2021 - Present
LINK TO BUY PROPELLER PRODUCT PROP 4-1
In 2012 I wrote a piece about a lost label from Boston, Massachusetts. Nine years later Brian Gempp (Record Grouch) casually threw out the idea of starting a label & releasing the Propeller Cassette on vinyl. It finally came out in 2024.
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Record Grouch | Brooklyn, NY | 10.19.24
Record Grouch | Brooklyn, NY | 10.19.24
Record Grouch | Brooklyn, NY | 10.19.24
Record Grouch | Brooklyn, NY | 10.19.24
PHOTOGRAPHS: Anthony Pappalardo
"Recording the Ride features videos and artifacts from skate culture’s formative years, with a focus on releases by H-Street, Plan B, World Industries, Girl, Zoo York, 411, Birdhouse, and others that manifest the structure and style that defined the modern skate video genre."
I encourage you to read the Quartersnacks piece by Frozen In Carbonite to understand the scale & scope of Jacob Rosenberg and Michaela Ternasky-Holland's exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.
Along with making a case for several videos in a firey group chat which included Jacob & Chrome Ball/Chops, I wrote gallery copy for the videos included in this catalog.
Role: Copywriter/Minor Consultant
Year: 2024
Produced By: Guest curators Jacob Rosenberg and Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Barbara Miller, and Director of Exhibition Management and Design Dánae Colomer.
LINK TO READ THE QUARTERSNACKS PIECE BY FROZEN IN CARBONITE
VIDEO: Tim Anderson/Bob Shirt
Jacob Rosenberg may disagree but the speed at which this project went from conversation to a full-fledged multi-media exhibit was... shocking. Yes, that's Matt Hensely on the big screen and Rick Howard on stage.
Photograph Courtesy of Thrasher Magazine
Photograph Courtesy of Thrasher Magazine
Photograph Courtesy of Thrasher Magazine
Photograph Courtesy of Thrasher Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHS: Courtesy of Thrasher Magazine
I was fired from a sneaker chain when I was 15 for spending more time looking at catalogs than selling shoes. Being curious about product design & working with folks who share that passion at SB has given me more insight than I could imagine.
Along with ongoing editorial work for Nike SB, special projects come along. The Slideshow to the right compiles some recent projects & highlights. Additionally, there's a link to the SB Vault where selected releases are cataloged by "box era.," including some Pre-SB artifacts.
Role: Copy / Editorial
Year: 2019 - Present
Team: Kelly Bird, Sean Holboke, Stephanie LaVita & Aaron Meza.
20 Years of SB Party
Heavy Maka | Thrasher January 2025
The Vault
20 Years of SB Party
All of the images that appear in this gallery were taken with a Kyocera T Zoom Yashica T4 Point & Shoot 35mm Film Camera, save one. I'm not telling you which though.
Thank you to Nathan Nedorostek for giving me this camera in 2004.
What's more "street photography" than taking pictures in the street with a camera you bought from someone on a street? Nothing unless you make a zine with those photographs. (Yes, I did that too.)
"L’Habitat created a first-hand view of the major cities that shape the culture of skateboarding. While all eyes were on the arenas in the Summer of 2024. The show took place in Paris during Mens Fashion Week SU24."
Role: Copywriter/Interviewer
Year: 2024
Photographers: Cristian Bravo, Marius Chanut, Sirus F Gahan, Yann Garin, Nobuo Iseki, Alex Papke, Margaux Saingolet, & Magdalena Woskinska.
Producers: Polaroid & Fine Lines Marketing
LINK TO READ THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Even though I have yet to attend the Olympic Games, I was able to work on several projects in 2020 & 2024. Polaroid put this banger together & yes, this copy is hinting that someone should send me to LA in 2028.
Photographs Courtesy of Galerie Bête
Photographs Courtesy of Galerie Bête
Photographs Courtesy of Galerie Bête
Photographs Courtesy of Galerie Bête
VIDEO: Pocket Skateboard Magazine
If we're living in a simulation, a world where a massive academic skateboarding conference occurred twice is pretty awesome. Having participated in both Pushing Boarders weekends I'm happy to exist in this potentially fake timeline.
"In June 2018, we invited a group of pro skaters, skate-NGOs, journalists, and academics to London for the first event of its kind: a conference about the social impact of skateboarding worldwide."
2018 | Not just some homogenized bullshit': Skateboarding and the Gender-Identity Evolution
This panel considers how a new wave of grassroots organizations, led by skaters, are opening up issues of social and identity politics and starting to run things differently.
Panel: Anthony Pappalardo [Author & Journalist], Marie Dabbadie [Xem Skaters zine], Dani Gallagher & Kirsty Tonner [Girl Skate UK], Oisin Tammas & Moch Simos [Skateism]
Chair: Dr. Dani Abulhawa [Sheffield Hallam University]
2019 | Editor’s Note: Brutally Honest Skate Journalism
As established print outlets fall and internet-based publications rise, space opens up for new voices to define what skateboarding is. How can journalists reflect the diversity of skateboarding today?
Panel: Lee Smith (Mission Statement), Christian Kerr (Jenkem), Norma Ibarra (Skate Witches / U Can Skate), Jin Yob Kim (The Quiet Leaf), Arthur Derrien (Free Skate Mag)
Chairs: Anthony Pappalardo (Author & Journalist) & Hannah Bailey (Photographer & Journalist)
ASSETS: Courtesy of Pushing Boarders
Skaters Vote was created to encourage skateboarders in the United States of America to register to vote.
In 2019 Kyle Beachy and I with massive help from Deluxe, (including Jim Thiebaud, Ashely Rehfeld, Christian Alexander & Cody Rosenthal) started to strategize Skaters Vote. We reskinned the existing site, refreshed the logo, and developed a plan to get people registered. Then things got very weird.
Despite pivoting to online, we made some incredible things happen & I earned a lot of gray hairs in my beard.
Credits & Thanks:
Colin Read produced the amazing PSA on the right.
Adam Abada, Todd Francis, Mark Gonzales, Alyasha-Owerka Moore, Russ Pope and many others created artwork.
Cole Giordano & Deluxe took photographs.
HUF, KCDC, Thrasher, Supreme & Zumiez offered massive support.
Vans & Labor Skateshop hooked up a mural.
Special Thanks To: The pros, ams & friends who submitted content. Jerome Case, Amy Gunther Ellington & Erik Ellington, Ben Kelly, Alex White & Aaron Wiggs.
Role: Jerk of All Trades
Year: 2020
Extra Thanks: Anyone I forgot--Send me a message & I'll make sure you're added to the mix.
LINK TO A RELATED GQ PIECE
LINK TO A RELATED NEW YORK TIMES PIECE
I approached Jim Thiebaud at Pushing Boarders in 2019 about starting a voting registration initiative. "Kyle (Beachy)& I have already started something up, let's go!" was his reply. So we did.
VIDEO: Colin Read
Labor Skateshop Mural | Brooklyn, NY with Artwork by Adam Abada
Labor Skateshop Mural | Brooklyn, NY with Artwork by Adam Abada
Millions of views? For real? OK, if we're talking metrics, these videos did numbers & that's pretty neat.
Maybe you scrolled down to this one because I didn't link to each project or you went through all of these & you've reached the end of this section. Either way, I thank you for your time.
This project for Under Armour was straightforward. I was tasked with scripting episodes for two YouTube video series:
Soundtrack To the Game : Basketball drill videos with celebrity trainer Chris Brickley.
UA ICON Creator Collabs: Video documenting artist collaborations from soup to nuts.
Role: Scriptwriter