15 teens. Real walls. Real artists.
JULY 7-10, 2026
GraffLab is a 4-day summer camp where teens learn street art directly from working local artists, exploring spray technique, stenciling, lettering, and collaborative mural-making on a real wall. The camp is intentionally designed to keep energy alive, with hands-on activities, rotating stations, and a structure that balances consistency with variety so every kind of learner can thrive. No lectures, no sitting still. But it's about more than art skills or how you learn them.
Through the lens of street art, campers are invited to ask big questions: Who is this for? What can we do to help improve the Central Eastside Mural District? What do I want to say?
By connecting with established artists and engaging with public space as a creative medium, teens build confidence, critical thinking, and a sense of ownership over their own creative voice, leaving not just with new skills but with the inspiration to keep making.
$400 for 4 DAYS OF IMERSIVE STREET ART camp
8 needs-based full scholarships available
Open to all teens ages 13 to 18
**PURCHASE OF A MASK IS REQUIRED, AND MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHEN PAINTING.**
GraffLab 2026 spots are awarded through a fair, randomized selection process. Once the application window closes, all eligible applicants are assigned a random number and selected from that pool. To ensure a diverse and inclusive cohort, we apply a gender balance target as part of the draw. All eligible applicants have an equal shot. We encourage everyone to get their applications in early. Scholarship and paid spots are both selected through this same process.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Over four days, campers move through a full arc of street art education, from observation and identity to technique, collaboration, and finally, completion.
DAY 1 - MEET THE STREET: Campers learn to see the city the way artists do, asking big questions about public space, who has the right to use it and how, and what their voices as artists want to say in it.
DAY 2 - DEFINE YOUR STYLE: Learning hands-on techniques with prolific local artists, getting a feel for the medium before painting a mural together.
DAY 3 - FIND YOUR VOICE: Campers step into their public voice, bringing their new skills to a collaborative mural they will paint in the Central Eastside Mural District.
DAY - 4 MARK YOUR MARK: Everything comes together. The mural gets finished, professionals share how to take the next steps building an identity as a working artist, and every camper leaves knowing they made something real!
Lunch, light snacks, and water will be provided. Both meat and vegetarian options will be available. If your camper has specific dietary needs beyond these options, please plan to bring additional food accordingly.
Who Leads the Camp?
GraffLab is led by a PSAA coordinator team who are artists themselves, with firsthand experience navigating art school environments and a genuine commitment to doing it better. Alongside them is a roster of established Portland artists spanning the full spectrum of visual creative practice, from traditional graffiti and stencilwork to bucket paint murals, illustration, graphic design, and beyond.
Devin Finley, LEAD Instructor
Devin Finley is the founder and creative director at Define Arts. He is a professional commercial muralist and artist specializing in large and small interior and exterior murals and custom artwork. Devin oversees project implementation, cost analysis, and sourcing of project-specific materials. Devin has worked with PSAA on many mural projects, big and small, with great success.
"As a commercial muralist and artist, I am passionate about bringing my clients’ ideas to life. My vast experience has provided me with the tools and techniques necessary to create and paint any style or concept my client desires. My style and aesthetic utilizing spray paint attracts a younger audience, while my skill set and attention to detail are appreciated by a mature audience." - Devin Finley
Galen Malcolm, ASSISTANT Instructor
Galen Malcolm is a Portland-based artist working in abstract and gestural forms, character work, and wildstyle lettering. He manages rotating public art spaces throughout the city and has deep, long-standing roots in Portland's creative community. Galen holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Sociology and Graphic Design from Portland State University, a foundation that informs both his art and his commitment to community-driven work.
As one of PSAA's three founding members, Galen serves on the Board of Directors while staying actively involved in the organization's day-to-day operations, supporting Community Art Project site logistics, special events, and paint inventory.
GUEST ARTISTS
GraffLab 2026 will feature four special guest artists from Portland’s street art community. These artists are some of the best in Portland and will SHARE TIPS and tricks about all forms of street art expression.
Tuition & Scholarships
At PSAA, we believe every teen who wants to make art should have the chance to. Of our 15 spots, 8 are reserved as full scholarships for campers who need financial support.
There is a section on the application to note if you wish to apply for a scholarship.
Scenes from GraffLab 2025
“Such a great experience for my kid! They had an amazing time and enjoyed all parts of it (guest speakers, history, collaboration, etc). I loved seeing what the group created at the end of the day. My kid we be definitely be interested in more opportunities like this.” - GraffLab 2025 Parent
