Dogwood Crossing, in the town of Miles — an innovative centre focused on community, creativity and inspiration situated in the Western Downs region of Queensland — recently hosted a professional graffiti workshop for local young people.
Toowoomba graffiti artist Ian McCallum conducted a two-hour workshop with 10 young people from Miles and surrounding districts last month. He then completed a direct-to-wall mural on the Curved Wall Exhibition space as part of the 10 Year Celebrations of the facility.
During the workshop the youngsters designed and cut their skateboard deck templates with Mr McCallum spraying each participant’s template design, demonstrating the spraying technique. The youth then added the finishing details with graffiti pens.
Mr McCallum’s wall painting was completed over a span of 12 hours during his weekend visit. The process of installation was meticulously documented in a series of 800 photographs that have been turned into a stop-motion film, screening at Dogwood Crossing.
The work spans across 10 linear metres of the gallery wall from floor to ceiling, and incorporates the finished skate decks from the graffiti workshop.
The graffiti project was a joint initiative of Dogwood Crossing, Miles and Western Downs Libraries. With sponsorship from Origin and Western Downs Regional Council, the workshop was provided to participants for free.
Spokesperson for Cultural Development and Community Services, Councillor Carolyn Tillman, said Dogwood Crossing, Miles was proud to present this unique graffiti art wall to the local community.
“It was great to have Ian McCallum teach kids how to do graffiti art. All youth involved were thrilled to learn new skills in stencil making and graffiti application on their own skateboard decks,” she said.
“With a majority of the workshop participants frequently using the skate park in Miles, this workshop provided a great opportunity for young people interested in skate and graffiti culture.”
Cr Tillman said visitors to the graffiti wall exhibition are encouraged to add their own touch of graffiti art and text to the wall, using the chalkboard elements within the design.
