Graffiti Camp for Girls in the Bay
Nina’s Give back
Graffiti, like basketball, can be an intimidating world for girls to step into - women like Nina drive a path to follow.
Nina started creating at 13 years old in her farm town where “drive your tractor to school day” was an actual thing. She had a big mohawk and zero friends; feeling alienated, she began to spray paint. “It was something that gave back to me, so I gave back to it,” she said.
Now, Nina gives back through Graffiti Camp for Girls.
Nina Wright
Characters, letters and collaboration. These are the basic touch-points Nina and her co-instructor, Niya Luna, teach 12-18 year olds. They cover how to use the respirators, the different caps, how to protect yourself and end with a fully executed mural.
More than anything, the aim is for the girls to leave with a greater sense of confidence and skills to pursue what they want. Through their camp, Nina and Niya are exposing more and more youth to graffiti while putting women and girls front and center of the art form.
Grafitti Camp for Girls x Hoopbus in the Bay
“I have always been known as a female muralist. Female musician. Female this and that. I never really identified myself as such. Just a painter or musician. I was pigeonholed into it, and so I was like ok cool I’m just gonna run with it.”
The magic
The magic comes from collaboration that organically forms between the girls. Overcoming the basic shyness and insecurities that kids, and even adults, deal with is at the core of making art. Graffiti Camp for girls puts that in practice.
Through the process, kids show a side of themselves they don't usually show. To paint in a public space and be ok with taking up space is a vulnerable spot. Nina teaches that people may take pictures or stop to watch, but as an artist, you don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks. At the end of the day, what matters most is being proud of yourself and what you create.
The girls at the Hoopbus in the Bay
Nina’s Takeaway from Hoopbus
“I always approach a project super seriously and strictly. What I liked about Hoopbus was that it was so friendly and free. People were playing basketball, honking the horn and playing music. It took the edge off and it was so much fun - they really bring the atmosphere.”
The design for the Hoopbus Bay Bus
The result
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the Nina, Niya and all the budding artists who painted the bus
Thank you to the Hoopbus Bay Team
Written By: Coco Barton
Coco’s Note:
Nina spoke about her efforts to teach girls how to take up space and own their work. Backing your passions and interests with confidence takes practice and it can be even harder as a girl growing up. What makes the difference is repetition and the willingness to keep creating - wether it be shots or a new piece.
Sport and art both require that failure is part of the process. You learn how to miss the shot while everyone is watching, rebound, and shoot it again; how to care less about what others think and more what YOU think.
A line might drip but wether you treat it as a mistake or a lucky accident is the difference.