Fifth Annual Graffiti Jam Slated for Oct. 11 in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — Graffiti artists from throughout Western Mass. will be part of the fifth annual public Graffiti Jam, “Burn or Get Burnt Cinco,” on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 8 a.m. until dark at 11 Jackson St., Holyoke. Members of the community are encouraged to attend this free live painting event showcasing local graffiti artists, with music by DJ Recone.

“Burn or Get Burnt Cinco” is presented by Common Wealth Murals, Baystate Art Supplies, the Springfield Cultural Council, and the city of Holyoke. The event will bring together some of the region’s most talented graffiti artists and offers an opportunity for the community to watch graffiti masterpieces come to life in real time, connect with artists, and enjoy an atmosphere full of creativity and energy.

This annual Graffiti Jam event is an opportunity to show graffiti as an art form, and as something that is appreciated by people of all walks of life in Western Mass. and all over the world. The Springfield area has had an active community of graffiti artists since the 1980s. In Western Mass., as is the case in regions across the U.S. and around the world, graffiti artists have developed geographically distinct and recognizable variations on the art form which continue to be practiced by dozens of artists today.

Graffiti is one of the few truly American-born artforms, which began as a form of communication and a game among urban teenagers. Through persistence and creativity, early graffiti writers developed an entirely new and separate art form based on their independent understanding and expression of style, which was actualized by inventing new artistic tools and techniques. Graffiti is also one of the five core elements of hip hop, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.