The Downtown Boys & Girls Club is the frequent target of graffiti, resulting in staff having to paint over it once a month and sometimes more, depending on gang activity in the area. To try and mitigate this occurrence and add color and art to the Club and neighborhood, Boys & Girls Clubs contacted Graffiti Park Las Vegas representatives to develop and paint a mural on the building.
Called the Downtown Clubhouse Community Collaboration Art Project, the beautification effort is now complete. The 5,900-square-foot mural stretches across four outward facing walls of the building and the entire wall bordering the Club’s field.
“The Downtown Boys & Girls Club is an important part of the downtown neighborhood, and we’re pleased to work with the Club team and youth to provide a staple for color and creativity in the community the Club serves,” said Daniel Maloney, co-founder of Graffiti Park Las Vegas. Started by Las Vegas locals Daniel Bulgatz and Daniel Maloney, Graffiti Park Las Vegas is an urban art collective with a community of over 200 local artists whose goal is bringing color and art to communities and people.
In collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Downtown Club leadership and youth, the seven selected Graffiti Park Las Vegas artists created a design that incorporates the Boys & Girls Clubs brand and colors, artists’ styles, and the vision and identity of the community the Downtown Club serves. The mural includes the activities and interests of the members, positive messaging, the Club mascot (Downtown Dragons), and visuals that promote colors and creativity.
Each of the participating Graffiti Park Las Vegas artists has a tie to the Downtown Clubhouse – either by past attendance or involvement with neighborhood initiatives and projects. The artists include: 9oz, Mario del Barrio Reyes, Said Gomez, Minkser, Israel Sepulveda of Trippy Pidgy, Zacharias Nathaniel of Prophit Apparel, and Cody Wombold of CKW Artistry.
“We are so excited for this project to come to fruition. The mural turned out beautifully and is something Club youth and staff, the artists and entire neighborhood can be proud of,” said Andy Bischel, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. “It was great working with Graffiti Park Las Vegas artists and seeing how the final product represents the organization and community the Club serves. Our members were excited to provide input in the design and help paint it. Most importantly, youth will continue to feel safe as they walk through the doors, as this Club is a staple for the Downtown community.”
The mural took the artists several days to complete. Club youth were invited to help the artists with the finishing touches. Kids were taught how to spray paint the background shapes and helped paint “Great Futures Start Here” on the building.
To protect the mural against future graffiti, a low luster epoxy sealant blend that has UV protection, has been applied; and Boys & Girls Clubs will research applying for a local graffiti abatement program for additional protection.
The Downtown Boys & Girls Club is located at 2801 East Stewart Ave.
About Graffiti Park Las Vegas
Started by Las Vegas locals Daniel Bulgatz and Daniel Maloney, Graffiti Park Las Vegas is an urban art collective with a community of over 200 local artists with the goal of bringing color to a blank canvas near you. By encouraging collaboration over competition, we strive to provide unique opportunities for the creation of ambitious art projects in local communities. From YMCAs to elementary schools to backyard skate ramps, there is no canvas the team is not excited about painting. Graffiti Park specializes in large scale and custom murals on any size canvas. Our artists showcase a variety of styles that can fit a wide range of themes and direction. These projects are a pathway toward the goal of creating an outdoor gallery where anyone can come and paint. For information, visit: www.graffitipark.org | Facebook: @graffitiparklv | Instagram: @graffitipark_lv |
Twitter: @graffitipark_lv | 702-606-2684
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada is a non-profit organization with 13 Clubhouses throughout Southern Nevada. Our mission is to enable young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Focused on three main impact areas – Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Good Character & Leadership – Clubhouses provide a safe, supportive place to go (both physically and mentally), life-changing opportunities, and the chance for youth to learn, grow, and become who they want to be. Serving over 7,000 youth annually between the ages of 6-18, Clubs operate Monday through Friday before and after school, with extended hours over school breaks such as spring break, winter break and summer break. For more information: www.bgcsnv.org | Facebook @BGCSNV | Instagram @BGCSNV | Twitter @BGCSNV | 702-367-2582
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