Graffiti Art workshop
The Graffiti Art or "Urban Art" workshop is one of the most popular for youth. Their interest and connection with urban culture makes this workshop a top choice and it often works well alongside the DJ-ing, MC-ing or Break-dance workshops.
A usual introduction to graffiti art is an hour long workshop where the history and background of graffiti is talked about, various basic skills like can-control and design are taught and a few participants can volunteer to have a go at spray painting. For larger groups, to ensure that everyone can have some practical involvement a longer workshop may be necessary or groups may need to be split. Half and full day workshops involve getting the participants to have a go at creating a piece from start to finish beginning with drawing up designs right through to completing their own group "masterpiece".
Discussions on design are encouraged and welcomed. Characters, words and logos can be designed and painted to your specification.
This workshop is also excellent for targeting hard to reach groups with the aim of setting them on a path to formal art and design qualifications through teaching methods that are more relevant to their circumstances.
Workshops can be multi productive in that, as well as teaching and involving your group with a new fun skill, you are left with a piece of art to furnish your chosen area! Anything from livening up a youth room, getting your logo sprayed on a wall or a board, or a community project to brighten up an underpass which can involve local kids from the neighbourhood – this workshop is fun and informative and has had an excellent response from users.
The Graffiti Art workshop leaders
Our graffiti artists produce not only stunning pieces of art developed with youth groups but they also get involved with various projects including painting "pieces" in shops, businesses and for various council schemes. The demand for them to produce murals and one off bespoke pieces of art is growing as the art-form gains recognition and popularity. Our workshop leaders have decades of experience both painting and teaching.
Accolades include hundreds of day workshops and ongoing courses all over the UK and Europe for local authorities, police forces, youth centres, churches, schools and colleges. Several police forces endorse our graffiti workshops having our tutors work alongside young offenders and people performing community service. Our artists have also been commissioned to do work for Land-Rover Gear, BBC, Channel 4, The Xscape leisure complex and Trespass stores to name but a few. The growing recognition of this skill, and the unique delivery and presentation our artists, has led to growing media interest and more requests for our graffiti workshops.
Customer comments
"I wanted to drop you guys an e-mail to let you know how happy I was with the graffiti workshop on Friday. Not only are their artistic talents superb but they were able to command respect from the young people that I have not seen done by any other artists I have employed. I asked the young people to complete a quick questionnaire and they all rated the workshop as 'excellent'. I look forward to working with you in the future." – Fiona Paul, Youth & Projects Officer, Hertsmere Borough Council
"Thanks for sending Mark and Will. We had a great time and have a great piece to show off to the community. Was just a shame about the snow and blizzard conditions. They were great to work with." – Amy Willcox-Smith, Senior Community Empowerment Officer, Watford Community Housing Trust
Click here for a report by AJ from BBC Blast on a huge workshop run in Preston, Lancashire.
Scheme of work
Principal purpose:
- Educate the students or participants in Hip-hop Culture including its nine elements and codes and practices whilst focusing in particular on graffiti art.
Benefits include:
- Building self-esteem through encouraging self-expression.
- Concentration and team work.
- Offering the young people (particularly those from inner city or disadvantaged backgrounds) a positive alternative to their life/home experiences and aspirations.
Highlights of the workshop:
- Young people will be schooled in the whole creative process of Graffiti art, including having the opportunity to spray paint by themselves.
All participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about the background and history of Graffiti and Hip-Hop
- Watch a full "piece" being created from start to finish
- Practise designs
- Be given advice and schooling on the skills of Graffiti art
- Have the opportunity to question a professional Graffiti artist
- Have a go at practically trying out the skills they have been taught in the workshop
- Possibly have the chance to create their own design
Evidence of participation
Many youth schemes require evidence of learners' participation and achievements in wider learning projects to contribute to the young person's file or CV. Top Dog can support this by providing a Top Dog Certificate of Achievement.
