Young Graffiti Masters turn the writing on the wall into fine arts

By Nancye Francois
What is graffiti? In some cases, it is vandalism. In other cases, it
is artwork. Alvin Colon, 15, of Hyde Park High School has learned the
difference. He used to run all around school spray painting his name
and getting in trouble for it at the King Middle School in Dorchester.

As time went on, his art teacher Janaya Majied-Janey noticed that
more students were tagging up, and they were good at it, too. So she
held a contest and organized the finalists and started what is now
known as the Young Graffiti Masters (YGM).

" One reason I like this program is because it lets me do
graffiti, which I enjoy, and it helps me stay away from illegal
graffiti," said Colon.

This group is composed of African American and Latino
students who express themselves through their artwork, which has
been displayed in art shows, on billboards and in public facilities around Boston.

Their latest project was a mural at the Agassiz Elementary
School in Jamaica Plain. The 10 feet by 180 feet mural overlooking the
school's baseball field was unveiled last week. YGM is funded and
supported by private donations, public grants, auctions and
organizations such as Partners and Simons, an advertising agency.

They are paid a stipend to perform many projects but often create art like the Agassiz school mural for free. Every day after school they
meet from 3-8 p.m. and in the summertime they operate full time, from 9-5 p.m.

Tom Simons, president of Partners and Simons, has been
supporting Young Graffiti Masters for two years. Simons does this
because he admires how these students make the transition from
vandalism to art, like the mural they created at his site. The company
trains the students in graphic design and prints their letterhead for
them.

"These kids represent a large part of our community. They are
great kids in their hearts. What I do is try to steer them in the right
path," said Simons.

Majied-Janey, director of the program, said one of the best
parts of the program is that the students learn to respect other
people's property, their peers and themselves as they learn life and
career skills."
I have learned to structure myself, to articulate, handle
problems and to behave myself," said Colon.

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