About ChicagoGraffiti.org
ChicagoGraffiti.org officially started in 2021, but its roots were firmly planted decades ago by TAKE2, an active member of the first generation of Chicago graffiti artists.
The Organization
Our Mission
ChicagoGraffiti.org empowers local graffiti artists to grow their careers, visually amplifies neighborhood voices, and supports archiving the history of this unique art form.
Vision
Chicago graffiti artists achieve their full potential, and the culture is highly valued.
Our Founder
ChicagoGraffiti.org was founded by Take2, a first-generation Chicago-based graffiti artist that has a graffiti career that spans nearly four decades.
Years of Graffiti Experience
Annual Graffiti Scholarships
Organization History
As the first wave of hip hop spread worldwide in the early 80s, graffiti as an art form began to flourish all across Chicago in a way that had never happened before.
“Chicago Breakdown Crew” by Take2 (1984)
Building the community
In 1985, the first city-wide graffiti meetup was organized by a graffiti artist named WARP who was based in Cabrini Green. In the decades since, many graffiti artists have worked tirelessly to build a graffiti community here in Chicago. ChicagoGraffiti.org is continuing the rich tradition of these artists in helping to build the community..
1984
Artistic Bombing Crew
Our founder Take2 joined ABC, one of the original, longest-lasting and influential Chicago graffiti crews. ABC spawned several significant Chicago graffiti crews including MAD Crew, the FEDS, MARS, and TAC. ABC is still active, and its members organize many hip-hop-related events in Chicago every year.
2003
Memorial Weekend Graffiti Event
Organized and brought together over a hundred local Chicago graffiti artists to paint together along both sides of the street along a two block stretch on 59th street.
2003
Chicago Graffiti Social Network
Before Facebook and Instagram, there was the Chicago Graffiti forums with over 125,000 posts from over 2,000 members it served as a focal point for the community for more than a dozen.
2004
Meeting of Styles
Co-organized the first Chicago Meeting of Styles with over a hundred artists from Chicago and the midwest.
2015+
Event and Individual Sponsorship
Sponsored several live painting events, graffiti contests, and individual artists in need of support
2021
ChicagoGraffiti.org, L.L.C. Created
Brought all of the individual activities under one organization to further the cause of graffiti art in Chicago.
2022
Scholarships for Graffiti Artists
Launched unique scholarships specifically for Chicago graffiti artists to attend college and for continuing education classes for those forging a different path.