Jacob Rosenberg's "Epicenter" Opening Photos
11/24/2025
To celebrate the release ofEPICENTER Jacob Rosenberg’s book and exhibition, a full house of legends, locals and lovers of OG SF skate lore gathered at GCS Agency on Friday night. With performances by Del and A-Plus from Heiro, beers and other fizzy beverages flowing, and endless daps and reminisces, all just steps away from the plaza where it all started, this was one for the ages. ––Ted Barrow
Photos and captions by Tom Shattuck
Before the show we stop by the titular "epicenter” itself, Embarcadero Plaza. Mike Archimedes was skating here before Kelch, Carroll or any of those dudes
Royalty of San Francisco skateboarding: Rick Ibaseta, Jim Thiebaud, Chico Brenes and Arco
EMB pioneers Jake Vogel and Greg Carroll
What would our history be without Jon Miner and Ted Barrow? Worse off, that’s for sure
EMB locs Scot Thompson and Shelby Woods. Shelby is the photographer who shot the iconic Stevie Williams frontside noseslide cover
Poaching a quick group shot on the way out. It’s time to check out the show
One last look at the Vaillancourt Fountain—all dried up and surrounded by an ominous fence
A very heavy turnout and the doors just opened
Signage for context. Don’t mind that glare from the flash
As soon as we walk in the door, we find the author Jacob Rosenberg in an embrace with the Mayor himself, Mr. James Kelch
Jacob was kind enough to offer another photo op in front of the picture of James hanging in the gallery
Selfies with Og Thorin and Sam Smyth
Tory, Rob and legendary ’90s photographer Pete Thompson
An elite pairing, Scott Johnston and Aaron Meza
There were T-Dogs everywhere you turned
Top pros turned big brass for adidas: Cairo Foster, Nestor Judkins and Pete Eldridge
Jessica and Miles Silvas, good people
Matt Milligan taking it all in
It’s ’93 til… the present day! Modern masterlensman Cody Thompson discusses angles with Jacob
Real recognize real, Rob Bootes and Casey Benson
Photy with a SOTY! Mike Carroll’s a man of the people
Shout out to adidas for making this exhibit come to life
Out front, the cutest couple award goes to Elissa and Rachel
Young Anthony posing next to a picture of the Vaillancourt Fountain (which his grandfather designed)
Black excellence in attendance. Ron Allen catches up with Karl Watson
The man of the hour Jacob Rosenberg with his curator and book instigator Ted Barrow
Josh Mclaughlin was blown away by that raw footage playing on a loop all night
Now anyone can listen to the Heiro mixtape that Jovontae gate kept so hard back in the day
Girl’s newest pro, Lil’ Dre, flanked by the women in his life
Is that Ronnie Bertino?!
Rick I next his front blunt photo at Wallenberg. In case you didn’t know, Rick is the coolest
Ace ’90s photog Sean Dolinsky with legendary filmmaker and Rosenberg archivist Greg Hunt
A few heartfelt words from the man himself
Let’s get the guys responsible for all this up here as well
Quiet! The Mayor has the floor
Greg Carroll on the mic
It was a special moment
Heavy lineup
And then a surprise performance by none other than Del the Funky Homosapien and the Hieroglyphics crew!
Rosenberg and Leester feeling the flow
Del on the mic
Better believe Ron Allen was into it too
And that’s a wrap for an outstanding opening night. The exhibition will be on display through January 11th at GCS Gallery in San Francisco; get there if you can. The book is available on Jacob's site. Long live EMB, and salute to those dedicated to preserving our history
Photos and captions by Tom Shattuck
Before the show we stop by the titular "epicenter” itself, Embarcadero Plaza. Mike Archimedes was skating here before Kelch, Carroll or any of those dudesRoyalty of San Francisco skateboarding: Rick Ibaseta, Jim Thiebaud, Chico Brenes and ArcoEMB pioneers Jake Vogel and Greg CarrollWhat would our history be without Jon Miner and Ted Barrow? Worse off, that’s for sureEMB locs Scot Thompson and Shelby Woods. Shelby is the photographer who shot the iconic Stevie Williams frontside noseslide coverPoaching a quick group shot on the way out. It’s time to check out the showOne last look at the Vaillancourt Fountain—all dried up and surrounded by an ominous fenceA very heavy turnout and the doors just openedSignage for context. Don’t mind that glare from the flashAs soon as we walk in the door, we find the author Jacob Rosenberg in an embrace with the Mayor himself, Mr. James KelchJacob was kind enough to offer another photo op in front of the picture of James hanging in the gallerySelfies with Og Thorin and Sam SmythTory, Rob and legendary ’90s photographer Pete ThompsonAn elite pairing, Scott Johnston and Aaron MezaThere were T-Dogs everywhere you turnedTop pros turned big brass for adidas: Cairo Foster, Nestor Judkins and Pete EldridgeJessica and Miles Silvas, good peopleMatt Milligan taking it all inIt’s ’93 til… the present day! Modern masterlensman Cody Thompson discusses angles with JacobReal recognize real, Rob Bootes and Casey BensonPhoty with a SOTY! Mike Carroll’s a man of the peopleShout out to adidas for making this exhibit come to lifeOut front, the cutest couple award goes to Elissa and RachelYoung Anthony posing next to a picture of the Vaillancourt Fountain (which his grandfather designed)Black excellence in attendance. Ron Allen catches up with Karl WatsonThe man of the hour Jacob Rosenberg with his curator and book instigator Ted BarrowJosh Mclaughlin was blown away by that raw footage playing on a loop all nightNow anyone can listen to the Heiro mixtape that Jovontae gate kept so hard back in the dayGirl’s newest pro, Lil’ Dre, flanked by the women in his lifeIs that Ronnie Bertino?!Rick I next his front blunt photo at Wallenberg. In case you didn’t know, Rick is the coolestAce ’90s photog Sean Dolinsky with legendary filmmaker and Rosenberg archivist Greg HuntA few heartfelt words from the man himselfLet’s get the guys responsible for all this up here as wellQuiet! The Mayor has the floorGreg Carroll on the micIt was a special momentHeavy lineupAnd then a surprise performance by none other than Del the Funky Homosapien and the Hieroglyphics crew!Rosenberg and Leester feeling the flowDel on the micBetter believe Ron Allen was into it tooAnd that’s a wrap for an outstanding opening night. The exhibition will be on display through January 11th at GCS Gallery in San Francisco; get there if you can. The book is available on Jacob's site. Long live EMB, and salute to those dedicated to preserving our history-
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