This weekend (April 20-22, 2012) the Pico Union neighborhood will be treated to a brand new Earth Day Mural by the STP graffiti crew. The Earth Day mural is going up at Lucy’s Drive Thru at the intersection of Pico and Union just blocks from the Staples Center in downtown LA. STP is replacing the previous Earth Day mural, which has been on display since 1990. However, the original Earth Day mural has fallen on hard times. It is covered in ugly tags and the sun has drastically faded its once vibrant colors. The Earth Day mural project is being sponsored by the Pico Union Housing Corporation and the Graff Lab.

Fortunately, the artists of the original mural recognize its state of decay and have given the STP crew permission to go over the piece. The Pico Union neighborhood has also signed off on the project and fully supports the new Earth Day mural. The STP crew has spent over $2,500 on paint and is looking for any and all donations. For more information on how to donate please contact Keve at 562-587-5640. Filmmaker Robert Salcido of Sone Canvas Pictures will be making a short documentary film about the Earth Day mural project in conjunction with Man Bites Dog Films, who will be incorporating the historic event into its full length documentary on the Graff Lab and the Pico Union neighborhood.

Check out this bad ass new time lapse courtesy of MBD Films from Saler and 7 others who came by the Graff Lab and threw down on the Saturday before Super Bowl, putting up a huge new elaborate piece in a matter of hours. Good job, guys. The Super Bowl party on Sunday was a big hit. Thanks to all the artists who dropped by and especially to Ricky Guerrero for hosting.

Saturday, December 4th is Children’s Day at the Graff Lab. Arts and crafts, music and dance lessons, t-shirt design, screen-printing tutorials and of course world famous graffiti. All ages are welcome! See Lawonna Rashad, Ricky Guerrero or another member of the Graff Lab staff for more details… A brighter future starts today — from what you did yesterday.

Since July producer-director Rory Owen Delaney has been working on a documentary about The Graff Lab, the Pico Union Housing Corporation and life in downtown Los Angeles. At the center of the film are Ricky Guerrero and Gloria Farias whose enterprising programs and teamwork have been uplifting the Pico-Union community for years. By empowering local taggers, skaters and jerks to create art, dance, music and small businesses, Ricky and Gloria aim to include the Pico-Union district in the gentrification of downtown LA while still maintaining their community’s distinct identity.

Delaney’s previous documentary “Toxic Soup” was recently acquired by The Documentary Channel and was an official selection of the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival, New Jersey Film Festival, Twin Cities Film Festival, Louisville International Festival of Film, the KahBang Film Festival and the American Conservation Film Festival, among others. Delaney is currently editing a trailer for the upcoming Graff Lab documentary. In the meantime he has posted some graffiti time lapses shot at the world famous Graff Lab on his vimeo and youtube profiles. The first time lapse features German graffiti artist Jason Holloway and LA-based Aldo. The second time lapse features California graffiti artists Serk and Savager.

Graff Lab Time Lapse – German Edition from Rory Owen Delaney on Vimeo.

Graff Lab Time Lapse – Cali Style from Rory Owen Delaney on Vimeo.

Zombie Flash Mob from Rory Owen Delaney on Vimeo.