Downtown Rochester, dust off your knee pads and grab your Vans. Art is skateboarding into town.

The Deck Art 2012 competition, which was founded in 2011 by the Firebrick Gallery and Pottery Studio and the South Street Skate Shop, combines art and skateboarding. Artists of all ages are able to put their own art on a skateboard deck and submit it to be judged for competition.

“Skateboarding is not just about skateboarding,” said Christine Laikind, the owner and proprietor of the Firebrick Gallery. “Skateboarding is actually about fashion, it’s actually about music and it’s actually about art, believe it or not. These kids are pretty, I remember, we’re pretty fashion conscious and we’re pretty culturally savvy.”

Select pieces will also be auctioned off. All proceeds will be donated to the artist’s local charity of choice.

Much larger than previous competitions, this year’s competition is broken down into five different categories, which include elementary school, middle school, high school, college and adult.

“We thought this year we would judge within each category, which really makes more sense,” said Linda Gallaher, owner of the South Street Skate Shop and Park.

Local artists will judge the decks and AP Art students from a local high school will judge the elementary school category. Professor and director of studio art, Cody VanderKaay is set to judge, and submit a piece for the silent auction.

The competition also includes more members of the community this year.

In addition to a silent auction on a first night, all entered decks will be showcased at various businesses across downtown Rochester on a second night.

“The merchants are excited to participate, because again, it’s something different,” Gallaher said. “It brings people downtown and into their stores, so they love to do events like this.”

Laikind brought the idea of the competition to the South Street Skate Shop when it opened just over two years ago.

“We would decorate with markers and whatnot, so I figured it couldn’t be that much different,” Laikind said. “But it’s much more than markers (now). Some kids really go all out with it.”

Laikind is most looking forward to seeing what the talent submits. Last year, skateboards were decorated in 2D and 3D and used materials such as glass pieces and duct tape.

“I can’t wait to see the approaches that they take because we don’t put any restrictions on (the competition),” she said. “So they can do anything with it.”

Entries for the competition still available at the South Street Skate Shop and Firebrick Gallery. A $20 registration fee includes one blank skateboard deck. The deadline has been extended until April 23.

The Deck Art 2012 Auction Preview Party will take place on May 17 from 6-9 p.m at the Fieldstone Winery in downtown Rochester. The competition and exhibition stroll will take place on May 18 from 6-9 p.m. Viewers may begin at either the South Street Skate Shop or Firebrick Gallery and Pottery Studio where they can pick up a map of participating businesses.