We Are? We Do?
We are not cops or teachers. We are not social workers or parents… we are artists.
- We teach young artists to stretch and prepare their own canvas.
- Expose them to other fine art to draw challenging comparisons to their own work.
- Teach techniques and trade secrets they can use to produce more “karmic” art and express themselves in an undiluted and open way.
- Invite an intimate view of the business of professional artists and seed the notion that their natural talent is their ticket to a rewarding life as a future arts professional.
A Typical Project
A typical project lasts 5 days with groups of 6-8 graffiti offenders, a professional artist mentor and student assistants recruited from local art colleges. All staff working with youth undergo a criminal background check as required by California Assembly Bill No. 1825.
Project crews are chosen in partnership with local law enforcement, schools or social services. We work as a team and differences are left at the door. We work, eat, laugh and learn from each other.
We start the project as VIP guests of a major museum and visit working artists studios, talking with professional artists about finding their artistic niche and future bread winning.
We brainstorm and a game plan is drawn. Crews are taught how to stretch and gesso their own canvases and we collaborate to complete a public art project. We hope that they will take what they have learned back to their friends and communities to virally start a change from within.
We sign our work.
“TEACH A MAN TO FISH…”
EVERY STUDENT LEAVES THE PROJECT KNOWING HOW TO STRETCH, GESSO AND PREPARE CANVAS FOR THEMSELVES.
You can reach us at:
INFO@BigPictureArts.com
(510) 823 7320