Just 10

Just Skateboarding celebrates its first decade with a big bash

by Ryan A. Bunch

published August 15th 2007

Ten years ago Scott Tutak decided Toledo’s skate community needed a haven. Today, Just Skateboarding, the small shop on Middlesex Drive, next to the University of Toledo is a place where local skaters know they can find familiar faces, expert advice and sweet gear.

On Saturday, August 18, two Just fans and local skaters, Michael Paulus and Ryan Shull unveil a ten year anniversary blowout for the shop, called “Just Inspired,” is a skater-centric art show/party — featuring 15 local artists — that will take place at Space 237, 237 N. Michigan St., from 7 - 10 p.m.

Paulus says he and Shull put the event together to show their appreciation for Just’s support and to hi-light the creative talent it’s helped spawn. “Even before Just was around, Scott was one of the most viable people in the scene,” Paulus said, “There really is no other person we’d rather give a shout out to than him.”

For Paulus, combining the arts with Just’s 10th Anniversary wasn’t a question. “Skateboarding has been my one true influence in being an artist.” Paulus says as a kid he would flip through skate magazines and decided that he wanted to work for a skateboard company as an artist. “I went to college for graphic design, and though I never made it working for a skate company, it got me going in the right direction.”

Schull explains the art-skate-life connection, “Skateboarding is art. Everything you do has your style attached to it. It becomes an approach to life. Because of this, it’s no accident that many skateboarders are artists,” he says.

“Just Inspired” wraps up its night at Frankie’s Inner City, 308 Main St., with music by CL1, HiFi Handgrenades and Dirty Numbers. 9 p.m. 21+ free, under 21, $2 w/ Space 237 bracelet. $5 w/o. www.justinspiredohio.com.