Roark recently has recently teamed up with south African surf brand, Mami Wata, to host a pop up shop and gallery installation at their Berkeley flagship store.
The gallery features a range of 20 framed photos and graphics from Mami Wata’s AFROSURF book, each for sale with the proceeds going to the African surf therapy organizations — Waves for Change & Surfers Not Street Children.
The pop-up also carries Mami Wata’s range of apparel and fragrance, as well as copies of their groundbreaking book.
The partnership celebrates the love for the African blue ocean and African surf culture and has already become an inspiring installation to experience on Berkeley’s well-travelled 4th street neighborhood.
The gallery and pop-up install opened to an engaging crowd on Thursday, July 21st with the opening night focused on Mami Wata’s films, art and clothing. The night was capped off with an open discussion between Ryan Hitzel, founder of Roark, and Nick Dutton, founder of Mami Wata, along with a Q&A with those in attendance on the past, present and future of diversity and inclusion in the surf community and industry at large.
The gallery and pop up will last for two months at Roark’s Berkeley flagship. Additional Mami Wata goods can be found at all four of Roark’s Expedition Union stores throughout California.
One more event is being planned for late fall at Roark’s San Diego location. You can find out more by following Roark on Instagram.
