Lachine’s Graffiti Program Team provides graffiti artists with a strong, dynamic presence and ensures that the various community partners work together.

To encourage a change in young people’s attitudes, the facilitators—who are well known and respected in the community—work with them to understand their motivation, make them aware of the impact their actions have on the community, and help them develop their artistic talents.

The Graffiti Team is constantly adapting to ever-changing urban realities in order to better understand the issues around graffiti by ensuring that four areas of intervention are covered :

• awareness
• activities
• removal
• reduction

Many strategies have been developed to reduce illegal graffiti in the borough since the Graffiti Program was created, including legal walls at parks  and the creation of frescoes and for other activities and events oriented towards graffiti artists. Graffiti lessons are also available by appointment.

Graffiti artists must be respectful of surroundings; i.e. maintaining the site, using waste bins for trash.

Moreover, it is important to obtain residents’ and property owners’ cooperation in order to preserve the beauty of their environment. Graffiti removal is offered to residents free of charge. If you need to remove a graffiti from your home, submit a request.

The Graffiti Program has created a number of activities to stimulate teens’ creativity.

• Workshops at the Neighbourhood Life Committee During the summertime, the Graffiti Program offers workshops for youth. Facilitators will educate them about the graffiti phenomenon and offer activities that promote their artistic talent. These one-hour workshops are free of charge and open to all Lachine residents ages 7 to 10.
• Multimedia activities The Graffiti Program now offers computer-assisted multimedia activities. This activity is for urban/graffiti artists who want to take their talent to a new level. Youth ages 15-18 can participate free of charge in personalized workshops, by appointment only. Course material includes Adobe platforms (Photoshop/Illustrator), Internet and blogs, and other graphic design tools.
• Drawing contest Make your mark in the right place! Each year, all the primary school pupils are invited to join 5^th and 6^th graders to learn about graffiti in their environment and participate in a drawing contest. This contest also serves as a catalyst to develop creativity through artistic expression. The Graffiti Team also wants to send a message to kids: choosing places to express themselves without creating a less pleasant environment for others.
• Plus que des barbeaux exposition is presented every year at L’Entrepôt - maison de la culture de Lachine of complexe culturel Guy-Descary (from May to June).