Today we’d like to introduce you to Malcolm Turpin.
Hi Malcolm, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Graffiti class ATL was created after my personal pursuit of self-expression in the craft of spray paint. After college, I focused on the marketability of my art skills to establish myself as an artist. Hoping to offer a new experience in Atlanta’s event crowd. Pitching the idea to sell spray paint and monitor a wall at a local event space in East point, Atlanta a friend was a part of agreed. The results were amazing and very unique. To offer a new experience and show an outlook on an art craft that’s stigmatized and no concrete course or manual was brilliant.
After the first turn out the event owner, space curator, and owner had a lapse in communication and figured it would be easy for me to paint the wall back and find a new location. This was the initial push to create what was not offered. My goal was simple, find a place that I am allowed to create and can show others what I’ve learned. Knowing the bare minimum was very important. The free location given by the city has been pivotal, the cost of renting a location that’s suited for spray paint is massive without sponsors. With me as the teacher, I opened up my art class and started selling seats online at the beginning of quarantine. Not the best time but time is never perfect. I’ve learned so much from every class and got to enjoy many first-time artists becoming empowered.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A few challenges I’ve faced pushing my business forward have been location. Legal space to work is hard to come by or very expensive. My current location has kids that ruin great artworks and the art community has no power to enforce rules. Spray paint has a high cost in products. keeping the price low to gain customers has been a challenge and leaves little space for me to build the business in other parts like merchandise and hosting online lessons.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love visual art and the process of creating. As a visual artist that plans on collaborating with artists of different mediums, platforms, and local businesses to help unify and build the aspect of the community together is a goal. I take on graphic design clients, commissioned works, and photography when not working on personal art pieces. I like to spend my downtime thinking about the interesting components of art and how to conceptualize them. The process of art keeps my mind idle. The process of screen printing is a method I’ve yet to perfect. The small steps and focus on detail are needed to apply the right amount of light keeps me wondering. Some art mediums I’m currently creating are printing, clothing design, oil/spray paint, and digital art.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I joined the swim team and model team in high school and became great at both.
Pricing:
- Public class tickets cost $50
- Private art class w/ group $350
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@graffiticlassatl.com
- Website: https://graffiticlassatl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graffiticlass.atl/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graffiticlass.atl/photos/?ref=page_internal
Image Credits
Malcolm Turpin
