Graffiti Art workshop

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.

The Graffiti Art workshop

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.

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.

Customer comments

"I brought six of our youth group to an event where AKS was painting. Seeing graffiti used in a positive way like this was very inspirational for the youth and myself. Three days later we have applied for funding to have someone like AKS come and paint our youth centre with the local young people!" - Mr S Jones, Cephas Project, Huddersfield

"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

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

Certified qualification

Top Dog Certificate of Achievement in GRAFFITI ART

All of our workshops are accredited with a certificate that all partakers can take away with them at the end as proof of their participation and to mark their achievement in learning a new skill.

Evidence of participation

Many youth schemes require evidence of learners' participation and achievements in wider learning projects to contribute to the young persons file or CV. Top Dog support this by providing other supporting evidence of participation in addition to the Top Dog Certificate of Achievement. Available for this workshop are:

• Photos of the workshop in-action and the finished "pieces" can be taken. Some of these will be uploaded on to the website gallery for public exhibition. Copies of photos of your workshop can be e-mailed to you if you contact us via the website.
• The "original" piece of art that has been created during your workshop is yours to keep and the best proof of the new skills learnt!
• Records of attendance and evaluation/feedback forms are completed by all participants.

Booking

Enquire about booking a Graffiti Art workshop