When is a sneaker not just a sneaker? …When it’s a work of art — which was featured at the most recent installment of the Emerging Artists series at the Roanoke City Library main branch on Jefferson. The “Sneakerhead Show” included athletic shoes of all types, provided by a sponsor.
Many of the sneakers also came from the collection of Wes Powell, a city employee and music producer. Some were in vibrant colors; some looked like they were made for show – not for running and jumping. Several hundred came out last week to view the sneaker collection, listen to live hip hop music and sample Mexican food from Alejandro’s.
“I’ve been collecting since I was in the 9th grade,” said Powell. “A lot of them are new but some are old.” Included in his collection are vintage basketball shoes from the likes of Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway and Scottie Pippen. Powell and library development coordinator River Laker came up with the Sneakerhead event; all of the musical artists that performed (one group came from D.C., another from Richmond) are with Powell’s “Uncommon” record label.
“They are a work of art,” said Powell about some of the sneakers on display last week. “It’s a culture, same as music …some people collect stamps, some people collect coins; I collect shoes.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]