City of Irvine, CA
05/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/04/2026 15:35
New Great Park Gallery Exhibition Explores the Intersection of Basketball and the Arts
News Release
City of Irvine
Public Information Office
1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
949-724-6029
05/04/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Great Park Gallery Exhibition Explores the Intersection of Basketball and the Arts
A new exhibition arrives at the Great Park Gallery Sunday, May 17. GAME! Basketball and Contemporary Art explores basketball as a source of creative expression and cultural influence. A free opening reception will be held May 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery. Guests can also enjoy Mini Hoops: Create and Play, a free, hands-on art activity for all ages, featuring mini basketball hoops ready for decorating.
The exhibition highlights the work of Irvine-based nonprofit Project Backboard, which has repaired and resurfaced public basketball courts with bold, large-scale artwork in more than 25 states and internationally in Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Portugal. Since its founding in 2015, the organization has completed over 100 projects in collaboration with artists such as Nina Chanel Abney, Jason REVOK, and Andy Warhol.
Also featured in the exhibition is a selection of contemporary artists included in the book Common Practice: Basketball and Contemporary Art, highlighting how the aesthetics, movement, and identity of the game translate into visual art.
Additionally, four renovated basketball courts have been transformed by Project Backboard into large-scale works of art by California-based artist Katy Ann Gilmore. The vibrant, site-specific designs reimagine the courts at the Great Park as immersive public art experiences and serve as an accompaniment to the new exhibition. The first 300 guests at the opening reception of GAME! Basketball and Contemporary Art will receive a poster featuring the artwork from the newly resurfaced basketball courts.
Together, the gallery exhibition and renovated courts invite visitors to experience basketball not only as a sport but as a platform for creativity, storytelling, and community engagement.
The opening reception, exhibition, and parking are free. For more information, visit artsinirvine.org/greatpark or call 949-724-6880.
Gallery hours are noon-4 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The Great Park Gallery is located at 8000 Great Park Blvd.
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Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 314,550 that spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America's safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine's enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Great Park. For more information, please visit cityofirvine.org.
City of Irvine, CA published this content on May 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 04, 2026 at 21:35 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]