At the helm of Space Program is Sebastian Lopez, owner, designer, team manager, creative director, and team mentor. Surrounded by his trusty French bulldogs, Pierre and Beignets, he is based in a charming home in SE Portland. However, the Space Program story began over a decade ago in Spokane, Washington.
Sebastian recently finished filming the latest Space Program x Tactics collection and video, marking the first collaboration between the two, with fellow team riders Nathan Vitale, Faith Doudna, and Maya Volpacchio.
Tell us about the Spokane skate scene. Do you have any favorite local legends or stories?
Spokane has a pretty rich history, from the legendary UTF (under-the-freeway skatepark) to local shops with great teams. Recently, the city has invested in better parks and locals have opened shops, which has led to a great scene and improved skateboarding skills. The scene has also changed a lot, with more women and non-binary people joining, which I think is really cool.
When did the space program begin?
The brand was launched in the summer of 2016.
"You just have to do with what you have!"
You did it! What brands and videos inspired you growing up in Colombia?
At the time, there was a lot of excitement in our scene for Emerica, Girl, Habitat, and Alien Workshop. "Yeah right!", "This is Skateboarding," and "Mosaic" were played on repeat every day before going outside to skate.
Oh, that's awesome. What brought you to Spokane, Washington?
My mother moved to the US for work and I came with her, so Spokane was a bit of an unexpected place for me.
Tell us about the skate scene. Any local legends or stories?
Spokane has a very rich history, with many different elements intertwined, from the old UTF (the skatepark under the freeway) to the local shops and their amazing teams. In recent years, the city has invested in better parks and local people have opened shops, creating a great scene. The skaters' skills have also improved. Plus, we're seeing more women and non-binary people joining the scene, which I think is really cool.
When did the space program begin?
The brand was launched in the summer of 2016.
I design most of the graphics, but when I want to go for a specific art style I'll work with an artist to create something cool. When it comes to photography, I can't take all the credit alone. Justin Marko also did a lot of the photography and helped define our aesthetic. He's always out in the field with the team and is amazing with a camera.
The most rewarding part of running a skate brand is watching something you believed in from the beginning grow organically. This wouldn't have happened without the support of others. Local shop owners helped connect us with woodshops and promoted the brand from the beginning. Networking and choosing good team riders played a big role in building credibility.
There's a lot going on with the business, logistics, and team management, but it's so rewarding to see people supporting us, buying our boards, and coming to our events. Thank you to all our team riders and everyone who chooses our products.
Tell us about Naty. He's a great addition to the Tactics team. What is his role in Space Program?
There's a lot to say about Naty, but he's been with the brand since the very beginning. I knew he was going to be a part of this project from the very first trip. He's a very hard worker, and that hard work is showing in his progress in skateboarding. He's amazing at carving his own path in skateboarding, and he's creative and has a unique perspective. His pro boards are late, but his pro parts will amaze people.
The advancement of women's skateboarding is a priority for you. What do Faith Doudna and Maya Volpaccio mean to your team?
Representation is important. Faith and Maya are very talented and inspire each other to land tricks on skate trips. There is also a good vibe to help our other female rider, Maddie, progress.
What's your favorite team trip so far?
Every trip is special, but the East Coast trip to edit EASTBOUND was my favorite. The whole team was there and we had a great time. It was a very productive 11-day stay. Are you working on a video for the Space Program? We're currently working on a full-length video. Anything else you'd like to say? We'd like to thank everyone who supports us.
Interview: Sam Goldberg-Jaffe
