Many might be surprised to find the world’s largest graffiti and urban art collection on canvas is located here in Washington — in the APEX Everett building at the American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project (AMGRAF).
The gallery in Everett’s historic downtown is curated by longtime Washington resident John Carswell, founder of APEX Everett and chairman of AMGRAF. He is leveraging graffiti’s street cred to engage local, at-risk youth and spearhead anti-gang violence initiatives that will benefit the whole community.
The DogTown Collection at AMGRAF spans 50 years and showcases iconic works that run the gamut from early New York graffiti pioneers to influential, modern-day L.A. artists. The venue takes visitors on a journey from origin to current day — and everything in between. This means covering all styles and different subcultures within the genre.
Carswell thinks that when a visitor leaves AMGRAF, they should have a pretty good understanding of the art form in its chronology, and they’ll hear fun facts about artists and stories to reflect on, too. He’s always said, “Some of the greatest art ever created will never be seen but by a few eyes, and some of the greatest artists of our time will never be known at all except to those within the subculture.” He adds that so many of these artists have been taken before their time; a lot of the collection’s pieces are the last remaining examples of their talent.
A Snohomish resident for 40 years, Carswell has invested in Everett for decades. “I have always felt that Everett was a diamond in the rough,” he explains. “It has such a rich history, beautiful architecture, gorgeous views and, of course, the waterfront. I really think Everett is coming into its own again. There is a lot of excitement and optimism when you talk to the community. We just hope we can be part of this chapter of emergence for this awesome city.”
The concept began decades ago, when Carswell started preserving the history of graffiti by capturing the works of influential and pioneering artists on canvas. “Graffiti is the only art form with its origins exclusive to modern America,” he says. “Everything else came from somewhere else. It is important, it’s part of our American story, and we were destroying it as fast as it was being created.”
In the process of trying to preserve this genre, the DogTown Collection was built. This largest graffiti-on-canvas collection in the world features many of the early pioneers of the late 60s and early 70s, the ascension of the 80s and 90s and 2ks. “(From) the freight train artists through the muralists,” Carswell says. “Much of it has been preserved, but there’s still some work to do.”
He goes on to say that many people think of tagging or vandalism when they think of graffiti, but this is a technical art form that has evolved within the genre. He believes that very few artists in the world are capable of what he’s termed “Aerosol Paint Expressionism” or “APEX.”
Carswell purchased the old Masonic Lodge in historic downtown Everett. Built in 1921, it served as the civic center for the city; throughout the 90s until 2010, it operated as a nightclub. “It sat essentially empty until 2022 when I purchased it with the idea of turning it into just an art museum to feature the DogTown Collection,” he shares. “It was in really bad shape, but the bones were still there, and it was such a majestic building. At the same time as I was restoring the building, I began to realize that Everett was changing.” They decided to pivot from their original plan to accommodate what they viewed as a new direction the city was heading.
They opened 16Eleven, a throwback, five-star steakhouse restaurant with a supper club vision that’s described as “dark and opulent, with multi-course fine dining and live music.” On the building’s third floor, you can find the Gatsby room with its original chandelier from 1921 and “amazing restored cornices and dental work.” (It’s used for weddings and corporate events mostly.) Adjacent is Kings Hall, a large music venue (with an intimate feel) featuring soaring ceilings, a VIP balcony and a stage. Many famous acts have performed here over the last hundred years, and they’ve featured many national and local shows since opening in 2023 (like Sugar Hill Gang).
Photos: Allen Stone headlines Fisherman’s Village Music Fest in Everett
“Our vision is to make Kings Hall the premier music venue north of Seattle,” Carswell says. “AMGRAF also occupies these two rooms with colorful art featured on the walls. AMGRAF rotates the art often, has special shows and provides guided tours by appointment.”
They’re also excited to open El Sid soon, a high-end cocktail bar by night and coffee house by day, keeping with the historical intent of the building but themed with mid-70s and early-80s punk rock icons and memorabilia. “APEX is a study in contradictions,” Carswell says.
What started as this entrepreneur’s desire to get the earliest pioneers of the genre on canvas before they started to pass away, quickly led to a passion to — not only preserve the art— but to protect the legacies of the artists as well. “Once you start, where do you draw the line as to when to stop? ” Carswell asks. “I apparently still haven’t figured that out yet. Although I spend more time recording the lives and legacies of the artists now than I do chasing down guys with a canvas in hand. I have also realized that the DogTown Collection is a segue into working with Youth at Risk and anti-gang violence programs. Which is really where my passion lies at this point in my life.”
The art doesn’t really belong to anyone, Carswell believes, adding that we’re all just stewards of it for a certain length of time. “It belongs to the collective, the enthusiasts and students,” he says. “I wanted the collection to go on after I was gone.” His idea for APEX was to have a place to not only showcase the art, but to provide programs and events that preserve the culture and art history.
“Recording art legacies,” he adds. “Telling the story of an American art form birthed of civil unrest and the artists that risked life, limb and freedom to create it. It is now a worldwide phenomenon. The rest of the world acknowledged its relevance. Someday, we will, too. When that happens, these historic canvases will be waiting to tell their stories.”
With his vision, Carswell believes art and street culture can speak to young people who may not feel drawn to other styles of mentorship programs. AMGRAF has teamed up with many community leaders and activists to help reach these kids. “We’re developing programs that connect youth with former gang members and respected ‘Graff OG Kings’ as mentors—individuals these kids can relate to and respect, offering them guidance from people who understand their experiences firsthand,” Carswell says. “I believe the art and the culture it came from can be the catalyst that reaches these kids.”
Corinne Whiting is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow more of her adventures here.
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