This free online session is an introduction to a five-week course on street art, focusing on the use of stickers by graffiti and street artists.

About the Class

This free online session is an introduction to a five-week street art course focusing on the use of stickers by graffiti and street artists. Participants receive an overview of the course, key terms and concepts, and a practical demonstration of creating art on stickers.

About the teacher

This free online course is taught by Max Gibbons, a graffiti and street artist with 15 years of experience. Max has spent seven years living and working in Washington DC and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Topics reviewed

1. Key terms and concepts in street art and graffiti

• Max explained key terms such as tag, throw up, piece, bombing, writer, straight letters, and slaps.

• He also discussed the difference between graffiti and street art, emphasizing that the former is often letter-based while the latter tends to be more image-focused.

2. Practical demonstration of creating art on stickers

• Max demonstrated how to create art on 'Hello My Name Is' stickers, explaining the process and providing tips.

Key learnings

• Graffiti and street art, while related, have distinct characteristics. Graffiti is often letter-based and focuses on the unofficial and unsanctioned application of any medium to a surface that isn't owned by the artist. Street art tends to be more image-focused and is artwork displayed in public on any publicly viewed surface.

• Stickers are a popular medium in street art because they are less destructive and quicker to apply than other forms of street art, such as spray painting.

• The 'Hello My Name Is' stickers are commonly used in street art because they provide a framed space for the artist's work and a built-in introduction to the community.

• Artists can create their own art supplies and experiment with different techniques to express their art on adhesive labels.

Next steps

Participants were asked to think about their nickname for the course and to consider how they might create a character or image that reflects this nickname. They were also encouraged to practice creating art on stickers or paper and to send pictures of their work to the provided email address. The next session will focus on the use of U.S. Postal Service labels in street art.

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