Subculture show blends vintage motorcycles, alternative art

VIRGINIA BEACH

Brandon Costa rode his restored vintage motorcycle to work, then another one, then another one.

When all was said and done, he had ridden 10 motorcycles from his Shadowlawn home to Nivel Moto & Art Gallery, which he owns, and they all stayed there. They're parked on the showroom floor, on display and for sale.

"It was an easy move-in," he said.

Nivel Moto & Art Gallery will showcase its blending of restored vintage motorcycles and alternative art with an exhibit, "VB Subculture Art Show," from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. It will feature local artists' work on skateboard decks, surfboards and more. The work will remain on display and for sale through Oct. 23.

Costa, who also owns Costa Designs, a graphic design/marketing company, is passionate about surfing and vintage motorcycles. He opened the gallery at 301 25th St. in May with his bike collection and art, and procured helmets, T-shirts and more.

"I was looking to support the local art scene," he said. "I've got the means and space to display it."

On a recent morning, John Crane of Chesapeake entered the gallery with his family because he saw the motorcycles through the large glass storefront windows that face Pacific Avenue.

Costa is most proud of the 1970 Triumph Bonivel, priced at $14,500.

"It has been completely rebuilt," he said.

Like all the bikes on display at Nivel, the Triumph is "handshake" - not push button.

"You turn the gas valves on, tickle the carburetor, pull back on the gas, kick it once and turn the key on," Costa said.

Nivel Moto also provides services to rebuild a bike or build a retro vintage motorcycle.

Originally from Staunton, Costa grew up riding dirt bikes and street bikes. He prefers the vintage motorcycles now because, "not everybody can own one," he said. "They're a lot more difficult to maintain."

He also enjoyed painting as a child and majored in fine arts at Radford University before specializing in graphic design for his career. Costa linked up with Kimberly Sawyer, who owns Epic Productions and has experience organizing local art events, to tap into the art scene for Nivel Moto & Art Gallery.

As the gallery's art coordinator, she interviews local craftsmen who want to show their talents from photography to paintings. The art needs to reflect Virginia Beach's "subculture," said Sawyer. In other words, art inspired by surfing, skateboarding, punk rock and tattoos, she said.

Artists currently showing their work at Nivel include Brandon Costa, Charles Long and Igor Acord, among others.

Stacy Parker, stacyparker@cox.net