Legendary artist Jersey Joe brought his character based street art to Brooklyn as part of our Wall to Wall series.

Jersey Joe, also known as “Rime” was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, and moved to New Jersey in 1995. Joe’s art training was acquired on the streets of New York City. He learns from other graffiti writers, one of the most influential being Nace, a New Jersey graffiti artist whose life was cut short by a drunk driver in 2001. In recent years Joe has been teaching graffiti arts to inner city children in Los Angeles; he is also involved in various ongoing projects such as Seventh Letter Crew and The Exchange.

Growing up in New York City, Jersey Joe was strongly influenced by the graffiti of the 1980s that he saw in the streets and on subway trains; this fueled his passion for the subversive art form. Joe’s early works were minimalist throw-ups and tags – essentially, quick pieces that consist of a layer of spray paint with letter outlines. Eventually he evolved to piecing and wild style lettering. Both of these are more advanced styles of graffiti that are more intricate in design; piecing is short for masterpiece and wild style is a free form technique that usually abstracts the letters beyond recognition.

When Joe moved to New Jersey in 1995, he wanted to develop a style that was different from what he had seen in New York. He began writing graffiti prolifically, up to three times a week. He moved around a bit during his decade in New Jersey, living in Perth Amboy, Jersey City, and Hoboken. This period in New Jersey eventually landed him a gallery show in Newark, New Jersey in May 2004 called “Outside In.” From this point on, his position changed from non-profit street graffiti artist to self-supporting emerging artist. His work has been on display in galleries in Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Canada, and various location across the United States. His art can be found on walls nationally and internationally.

This wall is located in the heart of Williamsburg, a Brooklyn neighborhood that has become synonymous with New York culture. Artists, musicians and creative minds of all sorts have made this area a great place to both work and have fun. Teaming with coffee shops, restaurants, clubs and bars; it attracts all walks of life to its charming blocks. Sitting on the bank of the East river, it is lined with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, and is also home to our own Converse Rubber Tracks.

Brooklyn, NY

Artist David D’Andrea headed to the eastside of Portland to create a new piece of art as part of our Wall to Wall series.

David D’Andrea combines the draftsmanship of the poster artists and album cover designers of the 1960’s and 70’s with a raw detailed grittiness to create an organic pen and ink style that is unmistakably his own. His t-shirt designs, hand colored silk-screen prints and album covers are highly sought after and have won much praise from fans and admirers. He completely throws himself into his work and each new piece is an extension and evolution from the last one. David is a wandering soul and will probably continue to search and improve until the day he stops drawing.

Portland has a great scene these days. The art, food and music really seems to be drawing a younger crowd from all over the country. The city is cheaper than Brooklyn and greener than Austin. Surprisingly the Lower Burnside area has taken a long time to become the hip part of town. Part of the areas appeal is that it’s close to the river and the downtown area. People have finally caught on and are coming in from the outer neighborhoods to be a part of what’s happening on Burnside.

Portland, Oregon

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. MUST BE A PERMANENT LEGAL US RESIDENT TO ENTER.

1. Who is eligible?
This Sweepstakes is open only to legal permanent US residents who are thirteen (13) or older at the time of entry. Employees of Converse, Inc., its parent company, NIKE, Inc., their subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “NIKE”), or of other companies associated with the promotion of the Sweepstakes, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children, and each of their respective spouses) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. In addition, NIKE sponsored athletes and their immediate families are not eligible.

Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

2. Who is sponsoring the Sweepstakes?
The Sweepstakes is sponsored by Converse, Inc., One High Street, North Andover, MA 01845 (the “Sponsor”). Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the promotion if it cannot be operated, conducted or completed as planned, for any reason. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Converse, Inc. and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for purposes of the Sweepstakes.

3. When Can I enter?
The Sweepstakes starts on or about 3:00 pm (ET) on January 3rd, 2012 and ends at 12:00 midnight (ET) on January 4th, 2012 (the “Entry Period”). Entries submitted prior to or after the Entry Period will be disqualified.

4. How do I enter?
During the Entry Period, send an email to social@converse.com with your name, date of birth, home address and sneaker size and you will be entered for a chance to win a pair of Converse Big Boi sneakers. There is a limit of one (1) entry per person. Subsequent entries will be void.

5. How will winners be selected?
On or about January 7th, 2012, the Sponsor will select ten (10) potential winners in a random drawing of all entries received. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by email within three (3) days of the drawing. If a potential winner declines to accept the prize, has violated any of these Official Rules, or fails to respond within seven (7) days of notification, the potential winner will be disqualified and an alternate entrant may be selected, at Sponsor’s discretion and if time permits, in his/her place in a random drawing of remaining eligible entries. If an alternate entrant is selected, only two (2) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded.

6. What can I win?
Ten (10) Winners will each receive a pair of Converse Big Boi Sneakers, approximate retail value: $650 ($65 per winner).
Any prize details not specified above will be determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Prizes are not transferable and must be accepted as awarded. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The Winner is responsible for any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Prizes will be reported as income to a Winner and the Winner is responsible for taxes, if any, associated with the receipt of a prize.

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Unless prohibited by law, entrants agree to allow use of their name, voice, city/state of residence, photograph, and/or likeness for advertising and/or trade and/or any other purpose in any media or format now or hereafter known without further compensation, permission or notification.
The Sweepstakes is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law. In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) cancel or terminate the Sweepstakes; (b) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (c) award the prize at random or award the prize according to the Judging Criteria from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In the event Sponsor is prevented from continuing with the Sweepstakes or the integrity and/or feasibility of the Sweepstakes is severely undermined by any event beyond the control of Sponsor, including but not limited to fire, flood, epidemic, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, war (declared or undeclared), terrorist threat or activity, or any federal, state or local government law, order, or regulation, order of any court or jurisdiction, infection by computer virus, unauthorized intervention, technical failures or other cause not reasonably within the control of Sponsor (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence), Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to abbreviate, modify, suspend, cancel or terminate the Sweepstakes without any further obligation.

By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, its parent and related companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. Entrant agrees that the Released Parties have made no warranty, representation or guarantee, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

8. How will disputes be handled?
Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the State of Oregon. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Oregon, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Oregon or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Oregon.

9. How can I find out who won or obtain a copy of these Official Rules?
To obtain the name of the winner(s) or a copy of these Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Converse Big Boi Sweepstakes, Converse, Inc., One High Street, North Andover, MA 01845. Requests must be received within four (4) weeks of the conclusion of the Entry Period.

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