'"It starts with this irony: Wynwood's middle school doesn't have an art department… due to budget restraints… How can the most burgeoning art neighborhood on the planet have public schools that don't teach art or music?"
- The Huffington Post
In the US, six million students receive no arts education, and 60 percent of American schools have seen their arts programs defunded. RAW began in 2014 and brought together a coalition of non-profits, organizations, artists, and administration to bring color and inspiration on Wynwood's Jose De Diego middle school's concrete walls and a school suffering a drought in budget for creativity.
Over 80 artists came together, and results were magnificent enough to increase school enrollment among the community. More kids were coming back to school, and class attendance increased. There was an increase in test scores, school pride, and a decrease in bullying and violence. RAW sent a shockwave of enthusiasm that proves it can better the school and its body through art. In 2016, RAW expanded as a campaign to support the creation of arts programs at schools nationwide.
Wynwood's Eneida M. Hartner elementary school is made up of a melting pot of minorities living below the poverty line, finding refuge from broken home life within the walls of education and a loyal, dedicated faculty. During Art Basel 2016, this elementary opened its doors for a carefully selected group of artists to beautify its walls and encourage art education throughout the community.'
Martin Whatson from Norway and the husband and wife duo Snik where two of the artists chosen to complete murals on the elementary school. Whatson unveiled his iconic 'Sweeper' and Snik unveiled 'Fading Glow. Snik also unveiled thier highly sought after work 'Fix the Sky' across the street at the Secret Walls.
In Nov, of 2017 my wife and I spent a couple of hours wondering around Wynwood taking photos in front of some of our favorite walls from artists that we where actively marketing within the gallery.
Shepard Fairey x Cleon Peterson's collaboration still looked fresh. Snik's 'Fix the Sky' still looked as clean as the day it was installed. I always loved the fence in front of this section of wall. It ominously stands guard protecting the works within.
Whatson's 'Sweeper' got immediate attention from local taggers. Most attempting to imitate Whatson's unique style and failing miserably or attempt to take ownership of the work because Martin signed the work under the loading dock ledge to the far bottom right of the installation.
In 2018, Snik's 'Fix the Sky' mural was tagged, but, the writer was kind enough to leave most of the composition transforming the work into something new.
As Daisy Alioto recently stated, 'Graffiti artists learn early not to get too attached. Ephemera is as central to their medium as spray paint. Some works last months, others don’t make it through the night.'
Over the years as friends and family would come into town and we would take them down to Wynwood and show them the walls and they would notice and point out works that we had hanging within our home. For many it was their first introduction into the Urban Contemporary Arts but everyone walked away with a greater understanding and appreciation for the murals that they see around their communities.
This past trip to Wynwood, we where surprised to discover that many of our favorite walls had been white washed. Both Whatson and Snik's installations had been removed and then I was even more shocked to discover that Snik's 'Fix the Sky' had also been re-painted.
As sad as it is to see these installations disappear, the anticipation of what will appear in their place is very exciting. I am looking forward to our next trip to the Salty Donut and an afternoon of wondering around Wynwood, discovering our next new favorite local walls.
Whatson's Newest print release, 'The Cycle' a diptych that highlights the never-ending evolution of our urban surroundings.
