After Hours: John Van Hamersveld

Kick off Surfers Walk of Fame Weekend on Thursday, April 23, with an exclusive discussion and Q&A with 2026 inductee John Van Hamersveld at the Hermosa Beach Museum! Known for designing the Endless Summer poster synonymous with surf culture, over 300 album covers and posters ranging from the Rolling Stones to the Beatles to Jefferson Airplane, and Hermosa Beach's own 'Great Wave' mural, John Van Hamersveld has been a driving force in the art underpinning Southern Californian culture. RSVP today to make sure you don't miss this opportunity to see some of Van Hamersveld's work exhibited, hear him in conversation with Chris Miller, ask him a question yourself, and potentially purchase a special piece to bring home. For more on John Van Hamersveld's collection, visit: www.post-future.com . 

Return to the Hermosa Beach Community Center the following evening, April 24, to join in the festivities as the City of Hermosa Beach and the South Bay Boardriding Club induct John Van Hamersveld into the Surfers Walk of Fame as a Cultural Legend alongside fellow inductees Laurie Wilson, Lonnie Argabright, Tyler Hazikan, and Pat Rawson. For more on the SWoF, visit the City Parks & Rec here; for more on surfing in the South Bay, visit the South Bay Boardriders Club here.

From the artist:

"John Van Hamersveld is an icon in Southern California culture, or maybe more aptly described as a creator of icons, credited with many graphics and images that celebrate Southern California. He launched his professional career as the art director at ‘Surfer Magazine’. Then his poster for the classic surf film ‘The Endless Summer’ became an image that is an emblem for surf culture itself.

Known for his psychedelic patterns and vivacious color schemes, Van Hamersveld’s images capture the essence of their subject, distilling the most powerful elements of a picture down to a graphic icon that becomes an emblem of a feeling, movement, or a way of life. John’s work captures these subcultures so well because he experienced
and interpreted them incessantly.

Van Hamersveld also designed more than 300 album covers, most famously the Stones' 'Exile on Main Street' and the Beatles' 'Magical Mystery Tour'. He’s created historic rock posters for Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Jefferson Airplane, and so many more. 

His recognizable hand has spanned an array of cultural niches. For some this reveals Van Hamersveld’s far-reaching influence, and for others this simply validates their understanding of John’s deep roots in the culture that makes up the Southern California we know today."

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Complimentary light refreshments will be provided alongside a cash bar.