Ando and Friends and Surfrider
Ando and Friends is an apparel company that also focuses on environmental awareness. They recently held a coloring contest where entrants were asked to interpret the Ando and Friends surfer. Entries came from all over the world and were done in numerous mediums. The art was on display at the Surfrider headquarters. It was an intimate event and the focus was on family, fun, and the envirionment.
From Surfrider on the event:
Andy Davis hosted the Coloring Contest event at the Surfrider headquarters in San Clemente, CA. There were well over 100 entries and many offered heart-felt connections with Andy’s art and the coasts in general. The event was an extension of that combination. What rose above everything else was “inclusive joy.” What I mean by that is that everyone was connecting with the art and with each other. Kids were coloring at the event; families were reconnecting… it felt like there weren’t any outsiders. If you came to the event you were welcome there. The second thing is, like Andy’s work, there was a simple feeling of joy.
Coastal environmentalism can learn a few things from events like this one. We need all ages… everyone… to find a place to connect. Surfrider’s missions is the “…protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches…” We need to always remember the joy component. We need to remember that if we want to attract and connect people we need to make our invitations… inclusive. Super fun event put on by Ando and friends.
