Max "GEMS" Gonzales Held a Graffiti Workshop in Our Warehouse!

On January 24, 2025, Pittsburgh Public School staff held a teacher professional development day and were invited to the Tech25 warehouse, where they were treated to a hands-on graffiti workshop led by renowned Pittsburgh-based artist and educator Max "GEMS" Gonzales. Max guided participants through an engaging and multi-step process that emphasized creativity, collaboration, and self-expression.

A wall in the Tech25 warehouse was prepared with 8x10” or larger canvas panels tiled across it and participants took turns spray painting directly on the wall in pairs. After several rounds of free painting, each participant selected one canvas to remove and take to a table for further customization using stencil phrases.

As the canvases dried, participants returned to the wall to continue painting under Max’s guidance. The session concluded with Max spraying inclusive phrases on the wall, using the participants’ artwork as content for the letters. The result was a powerful and vibrant piece that encapsulated the themes of the PPS' development day.

Tech 25 extends its gratitude to Max Gonzales, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Vanka Murals (where PPS staff started their day), and all participants for making this event a success. Together, we celebrated the transformative power of art and its ability to bring people together in meaningful ways.