Your Name In Graffiti originated from the idea that everyone can enjoy graffiti; from little Johnny to Grandma Zalinsky.

We strongly believe that graffiti can be appreciated by everyone, given a proper introduction to it. Adults tend to experience graffiti on personal property, resulting in a negative perception. Kids are introduced to it now in the media, but do not have any real connection to the art form itself. We at YNIG are promoting the understanding of, and connection to, graffiti art by helping humanity flex its right brain, one piece of artwork at a time.

As YNIG grows, the idea of a “starving artist” will fade as more help and opportunities become available to dedicated artists.

The Globeville Rec Graffiti Art Program

Currently YNIG has a weekly blackbook session for all ages at the Globeville Rec Center. These sessions have been running for almost a full year. In these sessions we explore drawing techniques, lettering, color usage, and social interaction and presentation. We do canvas presentations allowing to kids to take what they have been practicing and putting it on canvas so they can then hang their and share it with other people. The main focus of this program is to provide kids an positive and creative option to their day, and display the professionalism and dedication to become an established artist.

Gym - Before Picture

Previous work at Globeville Rec was our painting of the gym project. We took five youths in the age range of 14-16, had them participate in a six-week program where we did graffiti art education, preproduction for painting the gym, field trips through the local neighborhood to examine vandalism and talk to the community to get permission to paint over vandalism on the owners fence.

We then did the production of the gym that included five youth, four professional graffiti artists and two local graffiti artists. The painting took two days, and then we held an open house for the community and invited people to see the new gym. We also did one day of abatement, walking through the neighborhood. That was received well by the community; once they figured out we were removing the vandalism.

With the gym, it has been over a year and we are gearing up to let the youth artists come back and go over their old art. We will take pictures of their old piece and their new piece so they can see their progression as artists.

Gym - After Picture

We are always looking for funding and partnership for our programs. Currently, any funding will go into the repainting of the youth graffiti pieces in the gym, which includes the cost of paint and scaffolding.

We are looking to expand these programs into age-based programs, which will allow the younger children to focus on the core basics and building, while taking the older kids and giving them the opportunities to start participate in real world activities.

Currently these programs have been run on 100% volunteer basis, and any funding or supplies will greatly help in keeping these programs running.

For more information on donating or providing supplies, go to www.ynig.com or contact the Director at the Globeville Rec Graffiti Art Program, Julia Bezjak.

A portion of the proceeds generated by the Street-2-Screen raffle prizes and silent auction at the graffiti and hip-hop party, Friday, May 16 at The Falcon, will be donated to the Globeville Rec Graffiti Art Program.