Graffiti as a Creative Outlet: VMC’s Skill Shop Teams Up with Jack and Jill Seattle
Graffiti is everywhere—on city walls, alleyways, and murals that tell stories in vibrant color. For some, it’s an art form; for others, it’s misunderstood. The Vivid Matter Collective’s (VMC) co-founder’s Takiyah Ward, and Moses Sun recently set out to challenge perceptions and inspire young creatives by hosting a graffiti workshop for students from the Jack and Jill Seattle chapter. As part of VMC’s ongoing Skill Shop series, the event introduced students to graffiti’s rich history, techniques, and its potential as both a creative and entrepreneurial outlet.
Why Graffiti?
Choosing graffiti as the focus wasn’t by chance. As Ernestine Benedict, a member of Jack and Jill Seattle, explained, “It's an art form that we see all around us, and it can seem controversial, or it can seem artful and exciting.” The goal was to give students a deeper understanding of the culture behind it, encouraging them to see it not just as something on the streets but as a legitimate artistic expression.
For VMC co-founder and artist Moses Sun, representation was also key. “It's very important that people see us, especially Black kids, see other Black artists that are practicing and professional, and making a living from their art.”
Learning Through Experience
The workshop wasn’t just about learning the history—it was hands-on from the start. Each student received a kit with spray cans, a bag, and a Black Book (a graffiti sketchbook), giving them the tools to dive right into the process. VMC co-founder Takiyah Ward emphasized the importance of this kind of exposure. “They got to learn from Moses and me, the finer points of what this art form is all about, and now they get to spread it around the world.”
Students explored the evolution of graffiti, tracing its roots from ancient cave drawings and hieroglyphs to the modern-day styles seen in murals and urban landscapes. Then, they got to work—testing out lettering styles, experimenting with colors, and developing their own unique tags. For many, it was their first time holding a spray can with the intention of creating something, and the results were immediate.
Angela Khosa Marangwanda, 2024-2025 Program Director of Jack and Jill Seattle, was especially impressed by how engaged the students were. “There are some kiddos who are really quiet and sometimes aren't as engaged. And I was happy to see that with this activity in particular, it felt like everybody was very engaged.”
More Than Just an Art Lesson
Beyond technique, the workshop reinforced lessons in creativity, patience, and confidence. Ward hoped the students would take away “the possibility of creativity, and the beauty of trying things and not being great from the very beginning.” Mistakes, she reminded them, are part of the creative process.
Sun encouraged them to lean into their curiosity and seek mentorship. “My hope is that it will give them the bravery to just walk up to any artist and ask, ‘How do you do this?’”
And while not everyone in the group would go on to be an artist, Benedict wanted them to walk away with a new appreciation for the art form itself. “They’re not all going to be artists, but I want them to regard the art form in a really positive way.”
Looking Ahead
VMC is celebrating five years of creating spaces for art, education, and representation, and they have more workshops planned for the summer. The goal remains the same—making art accessible and showing young people that creativity has endless possibilities.
As Sun put it, “Art is for everyone, and art belongs in your home. Good art is what you like, good art is what you love. Good art is what inspires you, and good art is what speaks to your heart. There are no rules.”
Learn more about VMC at vividmattercollective.studio
Learn more about the Jack and Jill Seattle Chapter at jackandjillseattle.com
