Wynwood Paint and Skate Pop-up Park

This project will be organized by C.R.A.F.T. with the support of several international and local artists, as well as one of Miami’s biggest professional skateboarders. Our goal is to revamp Wynwoods abandoned RC Cola Factory, an un-used and relatively large space, by turning it into the Wynwood Paint and Skate pop-up park. Last year, the 27 world-renowned artists we brought to Wynwood painted several complex murals on select buildings for a beautification project. This year, having noted the relationship between graffiti and skateboarding, the growing number of skateboarders nationwide and the lack of a major skatepark within a 22-mile radius of Wynwood, we will promote the event as an art-based temporary skate park. Both graffiti and skateboarding have been regularly used as outlets for at-risk youth. Without a local place for both participants to showcase their talents, the mediums often lead to heightened criminal activity and sometimes death. The Wynwood Paint and Skate pop-up park will function as a 3-day event during Miami’s 2013 Art Basel festival in order to showcase Miami’s need for a permanent space on-site. Ultimately, we aim to create a venue that will function as a place where youth from both the skateboarding and graffiti worlds can learn, create and play in a safe and controlled environment.
 

In order to achieve success, we will work together as a dedicated group of individuals to make this happen for our community. Additionally, as part of C.R.A.F.T., our grassroots organization, we will stay focused on our mission: improving our communities through the implementation of positive social change, the beautification of areas through art, and the incorporation of communal spaces into neighborhoods where residents can flourish. We already secured the space necessary to host the event, we have support from more than 30 local and international artists, and we have support from the biggest professional skateboarder in Miami. The next step is to find people who want to support us with material and funds. We are currently asking local sponsors to donate equipment so that we can begin collecting all necessary equipment. Ultimately, we must have all necessary funding and equipment by November 2013.
 

With more than 13 million skateboarders in the U.S. and an increase of 10% participants per year since 2010, skateboarding is the fastest growing sport in the country. Within the past few years, we have also seen an emergence of mural-work and street-art worldwide. However, in Miami, although the Wynwood neighborhood remains one of the biggest graffiti and street-art districts in the world, there are currently no safe places for local muralists to work, and there are currently no major skateparks within a 22-mile radius. Our event will not only provide a temporary space for both crowds to enjoy, but it will also showcase Miami’s need to build a permanent space on-ground to keep young participants away from the dangers of illegal activities.

The reason we decided to host this initiative in Wynwood is due to the neighborhoods poverty levels. In 2000, with a median household income of $11,293.93, Wynwood was known as one of Miami’s most dangerous and most impoverished neighborhoods. Within the past few years, the neighborhood has seen much change. However, not only do most sections of the neighborhood continue to be impoverished, but residents continue to lack a solid communal space.