The City as a Canvas
The Graffiti Jam project fosters a safe space for expression and creativity
In the northeast neighbourhood of Greenview Industrial, the surface of an abandoned concrete foundation told a small piece of graffiti art history unknown to many Calgarians. For years, this concrete foundation created space for secret creative expression, eventually becoming known as “The Foundation” to many graffiti artists. The area was particularly active from 1998 to 2003 until it became more frequently policed and eventually demolished. However, its historical significance in the Calgary graffiti community has persisted.
From the art carved into ancient cave walls in France to the lettering on the buildings of Pompeii, graffiti has existed since olden times. Because graffiti can be created in public or sometimes private spaces, often without permission, it can be seen as a form of vandalism and viewed as offensive, especially if obscene language or visuals are used. The negative connotations and consequences of graffiti push artists toward places like The Foundation.
“The Foundation was just a unique little gem. It was really a safe space for a lot of people to mess around, connect and have an outlet,” says artist Mikhail Miller, a member of art collective NASARIMBA and The Foundation Collective.
But now, the public perception of graffiti is shifting and, when done with permission and intention, it offers the opportunity to make a city look and feel more vibrant, and build community and connection.
Left to right: A community member tries spray painting, Boyd Auto Body & Glass building features the work of 12 artists | Photos by Michael Grondin
The evolution of the Graffiti Jam
In 2023, Miller met with the Greenview Industrial Business Improvement Area (BIA) when NASARIMBA was working on a sanctioned art mural in the neighbourhood. During that meeting, Miller shared the history of Calgary’s graffiti scene in Greenview.
“[Miller] told me about this rich graffiti history in Greenview, which I was never aware of,” says executive co-director of Greenview Industrial BIA Tel Bruce. The meeting planted a seed for what would eventually become the Greenview Graffiti Jam.
Greenview Graffiti Jam participant Hugh Bruce | Photos by Michael Grondin
Held over two days in September 2024, the first Graffiti Jam was hosted in partnership with Greenview Industrial BIA and The Foundation Collective, a group of local graffiti artists who practiced at The Foundation and found community and connection through sharing Calgary’s rich graffiti culture. The Graffiti Jam hosted more than 25 graffiti artists collaborating on four vibrant murals located in Greenview. The event, which also included community spray paint workshops, the creation of a full-colour magazine and a photo gallery showcase at Congress Coffee, was funded by a microgrant from The City of Calgary and a Calgary Arts Development grant.
In 2025, Greenview Industrial BIA and The Foundation Collective were awarded another grant by Calgary Arts Development. That grant has helped fund various graffiti wall mural projects led by The Foundation Collective in various neighbourhoods, including Crescent Heights and Inglewood. This work shows how small grants can have big impacts.
Making space for expression and connection
One of the goals of the Graffiti Jam is to create safe spaces for experimentation and creativity for youth. “There needs to be more infrastructure, and there needs to be safer places. To be honest, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I wasn’t that kid doodling on lamp posts or just being curious about it,” says graffiti artist and The Foundation Collective member Steven Meldrum.
Left to right: Artist CONZ painting mural, Foundation Collective artist working on mural during Graffiti Jam
Photos by Michael Grondin
The Calgary Arts Development grant helped cover the costs of the artists’ work and supplies. Two Greenview Industrial BIA businesses donated two wall spaces in the community for the 2024 Jam. The walls were open for beginners to try their hand at the art form before 25 artists completed the final artwork. A series of spray paint workshops, complete with safety gear and a facilitator guiding the sessions, offered beginners, particularly youth, the chance to learn. Today, the benefits of fostering creativity and public art are tangible within the Greenview Industrial community.
Left to right: Cover of the the Foundation Collective magazine and DJ Dr. Space mixing on decks
Photos by Michael Grondin
“If you have a neighbourhood that’s full of art, full of people creating art, coming together to celebrate art and placemaking, it just lends itself to vibrancy and community,” says Bruce.
The 2025 Graffiti Jam expanded to a three-day event in September, with the first day focusing on production and preparing surfaces. Three walls feature work by a curated lineup of artists, while temporary walls let people experiment. The Jam continues to develop a broader roster of graffiti artists and foster connections through community workshops in Greenview.
Beyond Concrete
As part of the 2024 Graffiti Jam, The Foundation Collective, with the support of the Greenview BIA, created and designed a limited-run, 80-page magazine commemorating Calgary’s graffiti history. The Foundation Collective magazine, which was available at the event, tells the story of Calgary’s graffiti culture in the ’90s and 2000s with insights from the people who were a part of it.
“When we put out the word that we were going to do the [Graffiti] Jam, all of a sudden a whole bunch of artists from across Canada who had practiced at The Foundation in the ’90s got wind of it and star ted sending in all of these pictures, documentations and wanted to be involved,” says Bruce.
The Foundation Collective magazine features other unsanctioned art spaces that were hideaways for creativity, including the Max Bell C-Train tunnel, the back alley of skateboard shop The Source on 17th Avenue and the train yard east of the Calgary Tower, which was later demolished. The underground graffiti culture created a distinct style unique to Calgary.
“The regional styles of graffiti really became apparent because it was before the internet. And so, what you would create was from whatever [graffiti] was local or whatever you see in magazines,” says Meldrum.
This article was originally published in the 2025 edition of Create Calgary, an annual magazine launched by Calgary Arts Development to celebrate the work of artists who call Mohkinsstsis/Calgary home.
You can pick up a free copy at public libraries, community recreation centres and other places where you find your favourite magazines. You can also read the digital version online here.
