Catch the Wave—Surf Art & Poster Show
- Melissa Mitchell
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
October 15, 2025
Where Art Meets the Wave
If you’ve ever stood in front of a Wade Koniakowsky painting, you know—his waves don’t just move, they breathe. You can almost hear them. Each brushstroke carries the rhythm of the ocean, capturing both its calm and its chaos in perfect balance.
On Saturday, November 8th, Padre Island Art Gallery will make waves with a Surf Art & Poster Show, featuring nationally recognized surf artist Wade Koniakowsky. Known for his luminous oceanscapes and iconic surf posters, Wade’s work captures the spirit of the sea with both design precision and emotion. The evening marks the gallery’s final show of the year—a celebration of the creative energy that connects surf, art, and community.
From Design to the Deep Blue
Long before he became known as a master wave artist, Wade’s world was defined by design. “For years I’ve been fascinated with poster design—Russian Constructivist, Bauhaus, even World War II propaganda posters,” he shared. “I loved the single-page format with its powerful blend of typography and image.”
That early fascination shaped his creative eye and would eventually lead him into the heart of surf culture. When Wade sold his ad and design agency in 2004 to pursue painting full-time, it didn’t take long for word to spread. Within a year, major surf brands were calling—Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Vans. “At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be pigeonholed as a ‘surf artist,’” he laughed. “But I wasn’t about to turn down work from companies I’d admired for so long.”
Then came the call every surf designer dreams of: the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.“When I got the call in 2017 to create the poster for the 2018 Triple Crown, I saw it as a huge opportunity,” Wade said. “By then, Vans had begun creating merch stores at their events—so my art wasn’t just on posters anymore. It was on shoes, boardshorts, towels… it became part of the whole experience.” That moment cemented his place in surf art history—and his work began to ripple far beyond the coasts of California and Hawaii.
Surfing the Texas Coast
Wade’s connection to Texas runs deep. Over the years, he’s created posters and artwork for numerous Texas surf events, collaborating with legends like Brad Lomax of the Texas Surf Museum and the late Kevin Greer, who co-ran the Cinco de Mayo Contest with Ken Jorgensen. “Those two events stand out,” Wade said. “They both loved good art and gave me the freedom to create.”
Visitors to this upcoming show will see prints and originals from those Texas surf projects, including the Cinco de Mayo Contest posters—available in limited quantities for collectors and surf history buffs alike.
Adding to the night’s energy is a tribute to one of Texas’s most influential modern surfers, Nathan “Nate” Floyd of Corpus Christi. As a surfer, explorer, and cultural torchbearer, Nate helped define what surfing means along the Gulf Coast.
A co-owner of Wind & Wave Watersports, Nate became a pioneer of “tanker surfing”—riding the massive, rolling waves created by cargo ships. His adventurous spirit and survival story, following a near-fatal accident in 2021, have since inspired surfers worldwide.
“Nate represents what’s so special about Gulf Coast surf culture,” Wade said. “It’s creativity, resilience, and a sense of humor about chasing waves in places most people wouldn’t expect.”
Workshop: Gulf Scapes
Before the show, Wade will host a hands-on workshop on Friday, November 7th, from 1–4 p.m., titled Gulf Scapes. He’ll share his approach to painting movement, light, and atmosphere in coastal scenes, blending fine art with the rhythm of the surf on the Gulf.
Workshop registration opens soon at padreislandartgallery.com/events —space is limited.
The Final Wave of the Year - Surf Art & Poster Show
Saturday night’s event marks the final event of the gallery’s 2025 show season—and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Doors open at 6 p.m. on November 8th, with new works by Wade on display, collector’s posters available, and an evening of coastal creativity that brings the art of surf full circle.
The Art of Island Life will return next week with more stories and inspiration from our coastal community. Have a story to share or an upcoming event? Reach out to me at contact@melissamitchellart.com.
Pssst...
Something new is coming… Things are being shaken up, reimagined, refreshed, and redefined—and what’s coming together is something else you won’t want to miss.
✨ “Every new chapter begins quietly—like the moment before a brush meets canvas. Change can be both familiar and brand new, all at once.” — Padre Island Art Gallery
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