WOW 2018 – Poster in the Making

Over the years, Santa Cruz Woodies has been known for creating unique posters for our annual gathering, Woodies on the Wharf.  Our posters involve selected artists working in tandem with our own, talented Dave Welles for technical assistance.  Our goal is always to work closely with the artists to make a unique work of art that captures the soul of the club. 

This year we recognize the uniqueness of Santa Cruz Woodies as we celebrate our twenty-fifth year as a chapter of the National Woodie Club.  Santa Cruz Woodies was the first chapter in California and the second chapter in existence.

The roots of Santa Cruz Woodies are forever linked to the early days of surfing, and the fun and escapism that the old cars provided as we cruised the California coast.  This year we worked closely with well-known local multi-media artist, Gary Irving, to create the poster.  Gary is known as one of the premier visual artists and is talented in drawing, painting and his highly stylized narrative photos.

The theme of the poster acknowledges and honors that Santa Cruz Woodies currently has almost all women officers, and we’re proud to have had four women presidents within the last several years.  The poster this year includes several original cars from the clubs beginnings and features the women officers, both past and present, of Santa Cruz Woodies. In the car photo are Cathy Stefanki (current President of Santa Cruz Woodies), Dorma Baker (immediate Past President), Kathryn Benson (Secretary), Andi Welles (Treasurer), and Toni Wilkerson (Past-President).  We missed Arlene Solis (Past-President) who was at the shoot in spirit!

Additionally, we asked Rosemari Reimers-Rice, well-known matriarch of the West side Santa Cruz surfing scene, to pose on top of the woodie for the photo shoot.  Rosemari was the first woman to be a sponsored surf team member for Dewey Weber Surfboards in 1962.  She appeared in several advertisements for Weber Surfboards in Surfer Magazine during the era.  In the poster, Rosemari cruises – in surf stance – on top of our ’49 Mercury Woodie as a massive wave breaks near the Santa Cruz Wharf.  The bunny slippers she is wearing are the signature of the artist, Gary Irving.

Also featured in the poster are Rowland and Dorma Bakers’ ’49 Dodge and Dave and Andi Welles’ 37 Ford Woodie.  We hope you enjoy the these pictures that capture the “poster in the making.” Mark your calendars for June 22^nd, 2019 for the 25^th Anniversary of Woodies on the Wharf.  Its going to be a great event.