by MATTHEW WOODLEY

While the debate as to graffiti's legality and artworthiness trudges on, Frederick Hryszyn spends much of his time spray-painting walls with kids in NDG. It's a world he knows well, having been a graffiti writer for years - which makes for an easy connection to the youth he works with as part of the Graffitable NDG program.

Hryszyn took over Graffitable last summer - a project funded by the National Crime Prevention Centre - giving it an overhaul from a program set up to curb illegal graffiti into what he describes as more of a work-experience position for young artists.

"Graffiti largely stems from a need for attention and also for family," he says. "It puts an emphasis on crew, on a circle of friends, and because it relates to hip hop culture - breakdancing, music and everything else - the family is bigger. Whether it comes from something lacking at home or whatever else, it prevents them from delving into criminal stuff. It gives a sense of empowerment."

A fluctuating group of 16- to 21-year-olds take part in Graffitable's info sessions and fingers-on workshops, where they're often paired up with more experienced writers to paint murals on the walls of co-operating businesses. For many, the experience can be life changing.

"One kid who was this pretty young hardcore graffiti kid came in and said, ‘I don't do art, I'm a bomber,'" Hryszyn remembers. "Now he's in art school. I don't make judgements, I give kids the tools and that inevitably opens doors for them. The DIY graf attitude can give these people powers that steer them in a better direction."

Though it remains a mostly event-oriented program, Graffitable is planning a limited-edition silkscreen T-shirt show at Sub-V gallery later this year and other projects are in the pipes. Call 489-6567, visit www.preventionndg.org/graf-en.html or write to graffitable_NDG@ yahoo.ca for more info.