Fundraiser Car Show for Shawn Wilken

Today’s car show was a wonderful blend of camaraderie and hope, an uplifting event that united an incredible community. The happiness stemmed from the abundant love that friends, family, and devoted fans shared as they rallied around Phoenix artist Shawn Wilken during this pivotal time in his journey.

The poignant aspect lies in Shawn’s health. Admittedly, I hadn’t seen Shawn for a while — far too long in fact, mostly keeping in touch through social media, so I’ve been mostly unaware of the challenges he’s facing. Little did I know that his brave fight against Leukemia had taken a significant turn. Shawn’s struggle serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love and support, and how quickly life can redirect our paths.

I’ve known Shawn casually for several years, so when the flyer above popped up on Facebook, I knew I had to show and show support. I was hoping to see Shawn, but what I saw was his community’s love for him.

To raise awareness and provide support, his family and friends organized an inspiring Community Car Show Fundraiser on Sunday, May 17, at 8:00 AM at Connolly’s Sports Grill in Phoenix, AZ, as our community stood united in support of Shawn Wilken in his courageous battle against Leukemia.

Upon arriving, Tanner Cook, the event organizer, greeted us with a friendly smile and a sticker as a memento of today’s event. I was already shooting miles of great pics (scroll below to see over 100 stots). The weather was perfect, and the cars were amazing. The event showcased an array of remarkable vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, hot rods, rat rods, UTVs, side-by-sides, and exotics. There was, without a doubt, something for everyone. And I love that about great car shows and cruise-ins. The cars and owners are an eclectic group that comes together to share their rides and car stories.

Inside, we enjoyed a satisfying breakfast: a burrito for me and the traditional plate of bacon and eggs for C.J.

It was mostly standing-room-only at Connolly’s Sports Grill, which was packed because there were nearly 100 amazing rides parked just outside. The raffle prizes were all inside as well, so there was a ready crowd to purchase tickets, buy t-shirts, or toss a few dollars into the donation jar.

Also inside was Shawn’s famous painted mannequin lady, which I haven’t seen in person since Bike Week 2014.

Outside, it was cars and motorcycle art galore! There was not only one of the most eclectic collections of rolling art that I’ve photgraphed and posted in my 50 Arizona Car Shows (so far), it also had some of the most amazing metal tattoos since I’ve seen since a Las Vegas SEMA Show, and the beautiful thing, most all of it was Shawn’s work. 

Clearly, I’m a huge fan of Shawn’s creative talents and skills, and as a fellow “airhead” I especially enjoy his expressive airbrush work. It was great to see a collection of his work on cars and bikes (and mannequin) in one venue.

This was truly more than just a car meet; it became a moment of community empowerment through donations, a silent auction, breakfast, and fun fundraising, with all proceeds directly supporting the Wilken family. Click here or scroll below to join Shawn in his inspiring fight against AML.