Justin Bokma - More Than A Legend Article at Skatepark of Tampa

Justin Bokma - More Than A Legend

Posted on Friday, October 21, 2016 by Kyle

The word “Legend” has been overused so much in the recent years. There are too many “Legends”, whether still living (some self proclaimed) or those who have passed away. Justin Bokma was more than a legend, he was a living enigma on a skateboard. Mysterious and puzzling as you watched in awe when he glided around on his board so powerful and graceful.

Off the board he was one of those rare humans that you know when you meet them for the first time there is something really special about them. They look straight through you and high five your soul. Justin is the kind of compassionate soul that you are lucky to meet only a few times in your life. He was a very comical individual who made you laugh out loud and his laugh you would never forget as he chuckled along with you. As my dad used to tell me “If you can't kid your friends, who can you kid?”. That was Justin. I could write story after story about his antics, our travels together and so much more but that is for another time.

When he was killed by a gunshot on July 1st, 2016 of this year in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the tight knit skateboarding family was taken aback. I received the call from a close friend who lives there only hours after his murder and I just felt emptiness in my heart. I wasn't able to get back to my homeland for his funeral like many of his other Southern US friends. That weekend was a very somber 4th of July holiday and as many, many people reached out to me I realized I had to do something for his southern family to say our goodbyes. I decided an art show was the perfect way to raise some funds for his family, and we could all gather together to honor Justin. After reaching out to Brian Schaefer, we agreed on the ideas and this tribute show was born.

On October 15th, 2016 we had a wonderful showing of artists and friends who gathered at the Bricks of Ybor, FL. Reaching out to artists from all over the world we were able to get some very amazing artists who contributed and I want to give a huge thanks to all of them and Brian and his team who without them I could not have pulled it off. We were able to raise $2,975. There is art still available on SPoT website and info is there for each artist. I encourage you to check them out. Not only are we raising funds for his family, we are trying to send some kids to Woodward skate camp if enough funds are raised; an idea that came from Bill Weiss and myself as we grieved for a fallen brother who really felt like a younger brother to the both of us.

And if, or when you see me next... ask me a story about Justin. I will guarantee to make you laugh out loud.

Thanks to Transworld Skateboarding magazine, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Blind and all the fine artists and photographers who graciously donated.

- Kyle Randall (@kkrfoto)

CHECK OUT ALL THE PIECES FOR SALE FROM THE JUSTIN BOKMA SHOW RIGHT HERE

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Brian
Brian getting ready to hang the show.
Jerry
Jerry God shows off the tribute SPoT deck.
Brian
Brian Schaefer helps adjust the art.
Jerry
Jerry and Jeni help hang the show.
Justin
A great crowd showed up. So many old and new friends connected just as Justin would have wanted.
Justin
Justin Bokma, Transworld Skateboarding Magazine cover by Tobin Yelland. March 1996 image on foam board 6ft x 3.5ft - $300. Buy it here.
Justin
A view of the art, stage wall right.
Justin
Justin Bokma frontside air by Lui C. Printed on 16” x 20” canvas. Buy an 8" x 10" reproduction of it here for $20.
Leonard
Leonard Trubia’s amazing recreation of the SPoT scene from 1995 painted on wood with an oil/acrylic combo. $250. Buy it here.
Justin
Transworld cover by Tobin Yelland, March 1996 mounted on 16” x 20” canvas in shadow box. $75. Buy it here.
Justin
Paul Urich’s one of a kind hand painted tee shirt “Don't be a sad Pierre “. That grin looks just like Justin’s. $125. Buy it here.
Justin
Giant 7ft x 3.5ft sequence of Justin shot by Bob Croslin, 1995. “Nollie 180 over a chair from flat”. $300. Buy it here.
Justin
Close up from sequence.
Justin
Collage by Dave Wildenboer. Pictures he took of the tattoos he did on Justin. Mounted on canvas in shadow box. A personal tribute looks great up close. $125. Buy it here.
Justin
SPoT t-shirt of Justin. Photo taken by Nick Halkias.
Lance
Signed prints by Lance Mountain. Great work as always by Lance. SOLD OUT.
Todd
This is an amazing original by Todd Bratrud. Owl chilling with a Red Stripe mounted in a very cool frame. SOLD OUT.
This is a study sketch called “The Wilding” by the talented Alex Morrison who then made a painting of the same image. Again don't miss out on this rare piece. SOLD OUT.
Kyle
The curator of the show Kyle Randall shows a patron the Lance Mountain prints.
Justin
An amazing art piece by Chris Deacon which sold very fast. He sketched/painted Justin from 2 different photos on cardboard. Cut out and mounted on African mahogany. Beautiful!
Justin
Krystal Ralph, local Tampa artist/Tattooer was kind enough to make this amazing piece sketched on art paper and mounted on driftwood she found on a local beach. So rad! The Blind tribute skateboard is on the left.
Justin
Pictures don't do this piece any justice. Corey Sheppard labored over this personal tribute he made which was printed on metal. It really glows when you see it in person. It's a beautiful tribute and well done. The original sold, but you can buy an 8" x 10" reproduction here.
Justin
The SPoT Bokma tribute deck came out great, with words by Brian Schaefer and photo by Nick Halkias. The custom made deck on the right was an intense tribute made by Jesse Lee Wolter with Smog Town Skates, Hamilton Canada. Buy the SPoT board here and the Jessee Wolter board here.
OG SPoT local Charlie Crank showed up and seemed to enjoy the show.
“Candy Stripper” painting on canvas by Paul Otvos of Berlin, Germany on the left side looked amazing mounted on the wall in the main entrance. $1,500. Buy it here.
Mark
Enjoying the art. Mark Gonzales donated 2 original sketches and again don't miss out on these. Mounted in white frames. They are in the center. SOLD OUT.
Jerry
Sketch of Justin's hand smoking a butt. The nubby. By Jerry “Blacksnake Jones” Giardina. SOLD OUT.
Lance
Close up of one of Lance Mountain’s signed prints.
Lance
Close up of one of Lance Mountain’s signed prints.
Justin
Poster of Justin's pro graphics when he rode for Platinum Skateboards. Collage of pics around it. Made by Dan Bokma. SOLD OUT but you can buy an 8" x 10" reproduction of it here.
Justin
This picture was taken in Toronto, Canada. Backside 180 kickflip taken by Pete Thompson. Mounted on poster board. SOLD OUT but you can buy an 8" x 10" reproduction of it here.
Justin
This picture says it all. Taken by Justin Morris. $100. Buy it here.
Justin
SPoT tribute decks lined up. Pick one up here.
Kyle
Picture of Justin Padless invert on vert ramp at SPOT 1995. Taken by Kyle Randall.
Brian
Kyle and Brian talk to the crowd.
So many old friends like Jeff Reeves and Darrin Rutledge showed up to support.
Justin
OG SPoT member Brad Brandt sent in a tribute he made from a Facebook conversation with Justin...too cool. $30. Buy it here.
Justin
There is a long story about these buttons. Justin on top and Leonard Trubia on bottom.
Justin
Justin Bokma "I Love Books" Pin was a gift from some students from HCC college campus around the same time Justin was selling books back to the school that he may have just found laying around somewhere on campus.
Leonard
A young Leonard Trubia that "Loved Books" that happened to accompany Justin while selling books back to the used book store at HCC in Ybor.
Brian
OG crew. Brian, Jeff Reeves, Darrin Rutledge KKR Jerry Giardina.
Tito
Tito Porrata stands beside his amazing work called “Mother”. This large 5ft x 2ft is painted on canvas with an Acrylic/oil combo. Thanks Tito... you rule! SOLD OUT.
Bob Croslin stands by his sequence shot. He is an amazing professional photographer so check out his work.
Jimmy
“Beers for Bokma” - Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus was stoked they had Molson eh! While Matt enjoyed a cold PBR, which proceeds from the sale of Pabst Blue Ribbon went to the fund.
Rob Beasley and Scott Conklin also enjoyed the Molson, eh!
Mike
Mike Frazier sizes up his shirt.
Brian
Jeff Reeves and Mike Frazier taking time to smile for Schaefer's Camera - no thumb needed these guys rule.
Tito
Tito Porrata, one of the artists and long time brother of SPoT giving a thumbs up along side Wayne Schaefer - with a Thumbs up too. Yes, It's Brian's Schaefer's Brother
Justin
So many great stories were told and we all hugged and laughed. We love you Justin Bokma and will never forget you...Ride in peace brother.

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