MCK x ARTSPACE: Graffiti 101

As a professional artist who's been immersed in the world of graffiti art for years, it was an honor to teach an intro level graffiti art class in partnership with Artspace. My personal mission is to spread the knowledge of style writing, so this workshop was an opportunity to give students an up close and personal look at what it takes to work with spray paint, develop letterforms, and ultimately work as a professional artist.

On the first day of class, I started by sharing the history and social implications of graffiti art, discussing how it's evolved into a respected art form and how it's sparked controversies and legal issues over the years. I then showed them the fundamentals of graffiti techniques, including how to develop letterforms, create different styles, and create their own tag. I encouraged them to embrace their creativity and experiment with different styles until they found one that resonated with them.

On day two, I wanted to give the students a chance to put their newfound skills to the test in a real-world setting. So, I took them to a cool off-site location where they could practice their art on a public wall. It was inspiring to watch them take what they had learned in the classroom and apply it in such a dynamic and public space. Seeing their confidence and enthusiasm grow was truly rewarding. Accessing this knowledge is often very difficult for younger artists aspiring to join the community, ultimately creating a very intimidating environment and barring access. Being able to bridge that gap, combined with the accessibility of graffiti culture we have today gives new artists the opportunity to elevate it in their own way and pushes the movement forward.

What I loved most about this workshop was seeing students experience that feeling of trying a new medium and feeling the possibility of what is to come. Often, we have self limiting beliefs that prevent us from growing so it’s powerful to break those down in a comfortable setting. This workshop was an opportunity for me to share my passion for graffiti art and inspire the next generation of artists. It was a pleasure to watch the students embrace their creativity and develop their personal styles throughout the course. My hope is that they will continue to pursue their passion for graffiti art and that they will use their newfound skills to make a positive impact on their communities.