Bahrain - Aerosol Edition
In December 2022, three aerosol artists traveled to Bahrain with the Next Level program. Artists Chino (Site Manager), Mast, and Asend visited Manama for the two-week program. The residency’s local partners Colormaze and Bahrain’s Ministry of Youth and Sports assisted in the program’s implementation.
Next Level, a cultural diplomacy program that uses Hip Hop to create connections, is an initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Meridian International Center. The program promotes conflict transformation, entrepreneurship, and artistic and professional development among younger and underserved audiences around the world.
During the Academy portion of the residency, the artists taught courses on the history of graffiti, as well as technique courses on color theory, paint application, wall painting, and nozzle usage. In addition, the artists also discussed how they monetized their art through an entrepreneurship day.
The team was provided with a wall to paint a mural that highlighted the themes of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion. The residency concluded with a mural, which was presented to secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Aymen Almoayed at the Muharraq Youth Model Centre.
Altogether, the program had 10 participants, 4 women and 6 men. The team’s flexibility during the program allowed Hip-Hop’s innovative spirit to shine. Through connecting with local communities, and representing their art authentically, the Aerosol program was able to leave a lasting mark in Bahrain.