The Estria Invivational Graffiti Battle encourages graffiti writers to communicate social justice issues and empower communities with beauty and positive messaging. The graffiti battle is a project of the Estria Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Oakland, CA.

WHY WE DO THIS
We believe art can inspire our youth and improve our communities. Our extensive work with youth has shown that they long to be recognized for their ideas, creativity and accomplishments. Graffiti is a visual art form that provides the youth with a way to express their fears, their hopes and their dreams. With proper guidance, this outlaw art has the potential to shift paradigms. Although Graffiti Art is often perceived as vandalism, it remains an art form that requires skill, technique and tremendous commitment to master. Like traditional murals, graffiti murals can also decorate our cities, attract people, tell a story, and build community. When we provide a safe space for graffiti artists, we lessen the violence in our streets and provide a positive creative outlet for our young people.

2011 BATTLES

Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle will take place in New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu this year. All 1st and 2nd Place winners will compete in the Finals in Oakland, CA. October 8th, 2011.

Participants are given 5 hours to complete a piece based on a 4-5 letter word that is revealed at the beginning of the competition, leaving little time for planning and execution.

2011 GRAFFITI ART FESTIVAL: COME TO CONQUER A week long festival devoted to the advancement of Graffiti Art from October 4th-9th in the Bay Area, California. Includes: - Art Gallery Exhibition - Outdoor Window Pop Up Exhibitions - Can Film Festival at the Roxy Theater (Bomb It 2) - Pecha Kucha at Oaksterdam - The Graffiti Battle/Life is Living at DeFermery Park, Oakland - Workshops - And more.... All of our programming is free to the public or at affordable rates.

The generous support of our community allow us continue our programming and broaden the presentation of this artform.

Your contribution makes a difference.