When I tell people the museum’s Doris Duke Theatre presents an annual skateboarding film showcase, they are usually surprised. A major art museum getting behind local skateboarding? But aren’t skaters a bunch of rowdy misfits? Yes and yes, and somehow it works.

In fact, thanks to the growing popularity of the last four HI Sk8 Films, this year the museum has moved it from October to July, so it can tandem with the Honolulu Surf Film Festival. In addition, HISk8 programming expands to feature skate events at all three museum locations—the main campus, across the street at the Art School, and in Makiki Heights at Spalding House.

Surprised? Intrigued? So are we. Here’s what’s on deck—helmets and kneepads encouraged but not required:

HI Sk8 Art show: Opening July 1 at the Honolulu Museum of Art School is the first ever HI Sk8 Art Show. Featuring skate photography, sculpture made from recycled skateboards, and all sorts of skate-themed graphic arts, the show will fill the mezzanine gallery with a composite image of what it looks like to be a skater in Honolulu.

Don’t miss the opening reception on July 1 at 5pm. There will be pizza, drinks, and music on the balcony, and skateable obstacles on the sidewalks.

There will also be a skate-themed Nanogallery installation by yours truly featuring DIY handcrafted skateboards.

HI Sk8 Films Shorts Showcase: Since the last showcase was just eight months ago, local skate filmmakers—and the skaters they shoot—had a shorter turnaround time than in previous years. Fortunately, many used that as an opportunity to get creative. As a result, the films on the whole present less straightforward skating, and instead feature select skate tricks and high-speed downhill skating set within experimental and documentary frames.

The showcase opens July 15 at 6pm, with a reception that includes live music by Brainplane, food and beer. The showcase screens at 7:30pm, with encore screenings on July 16 at 1, 4 and 7:30pm.

Plus, the skate documentary I Am Thalente screens at Family Film Sunday on July 17, at 1:10am and 1pm.

Surface Gallery Skate Sculpture: Say what?! It’s really happening. Thanks to efforts by Spalding House staff and volunteers, like skate park engineer and APB Skate Shop owner Chad Hiyakumoto, the Surface Gallery will soon be home to a skateable sculpture. Spalding House Family Day on July 17 will include skate art activities and demos by select skaters on the new piece, which is loosely based on an iconic work in the museum collection. Which one? Participate in the Gallery Hunt to find out!

See all the HI Sk8 Films 2016 programming.