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Rolling up to Graff Lab Studio's industrial space in New Hyde Park, my teen and I were greeted by open garage doors and could see bright, spray-painted murals filling the walls. The environment got our creative juices flowing and we put on aprons and rubber gloves for a graffiti tutorial. The vaulted ceilings and open, airy space meant we didn't smell any of the paint.

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Choose from a variety of stencils to decorate your product of choice.

We attended a public workshop and our product options included a T-shirt, a hoodie sweatshirt, or a canvas bag. Graff Lab also carries canvases, beach towels, jean jackets, slides, and even skateboards to fill with tags. I opted for a canvas tote bag, and my teen went for the hoodie. We scanned the walls and tables for various stencils. Choices included symbols, sports imagery, fashion icons, and drip-style decorations.

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Employees teach the best techniques for making your creation.

Graff Lab Studio employees taught us the sweeping motion of the spray paint, color layover options, dual-stencil use, and more. Even a very amateur artist can feel comfortable here! While I went for a pinks-and-purples palette on my drip-style heart and peace tote bag, my teen went rogue with nearly every color he could find. From the Supreme logo to a rainbow of Converse stars, he went to town on his hoodie creation. His final touch was a drip-style happy face on the back of his hood and, voila—his masterpiece was complete. He said it looked "fire" after finishing it, and he pretty much hasn't taken it off. 

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Take home your finished product.

Private party rentals of Graff Lab Studio include a colorfully designed party room with a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of 25. The room is ripe for selfies galore. Parties last 90 minutes and include a choice of product, art supplies, and instruction. Pizza, drinks, tableware, cups, plates, and napkins are available for an added charge. And don't forget about the off-site party hosting option it offers.

Love the graffiti look and want to add it to your home or business? The staff can even create a custom mural to adorn your walls.

Prices vary depending on the services and events. A recent hoodie workshop cost $55 per person, while private events at the Suffolk location start at $400 for 10 guests. 

Photos by the author