Street Legends on Canvas

On Friday, July 18, the Coral Springs Museum of Art unveils Style Masters: The Birth of the Graffiti Movement, a bold new exhibition exploring the rise of graffiti as a global art form. Curated by Alan Ket, co-founder of Miami’s Museum of Graffiti, the show runs through October 4 and offers a rare glimpse into the rebellious roots of a movement that began on the streets of New York and redefined visual culture around the world.

Spanning more than 150 rare works, Style Masters traces the birth of “Style Writing,” a highly personal and stylized form of tagging that emerged in the 1970s as a creative outlet for youth with limited access to formal art education. From spray-painted subway trains to makeshift canvases pulled from the urban landscape, these early works capture the energy, defiance, and raw artistry that propelled graffiti from the margins to the mainstream.

“This exhibition is a tribute to the young artists who dared to take creativity into their own hands,” says Ket. “They made art outside the lines—on trains, in alleyways, and across city walls—and ultimately changed the visual landscape of cities around the world.”

Visitors will discover not just the art itself, but also the tools, spray techniques, and cultural context that shaped the movement. Archival photography and storytelling provide deeper insight into graffiti’s connection to hip-hop, youth rebellion, and identity. A pop-up gift shop will feature limited-edition merchandise and collectibles inspired by the exhibition.

An opening night reception will be held Friday, July 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a members-only preview hour beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is free, and RSVPs are encouraged at coralspringsmuseum.org/graffiti.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday, with appointments available upon request.

For more information, visit coralspringsmuseum.org/graffiti or follow @museumofgraffiti and @coralspringsmuseum on social media.

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