Make Your Mark on GRAPHOLOGYHENGE by Peyton Scott Russell

Make your mark on GRAPHOLOGYHENGE by Peyton Scott Russell

GRAPHOLOGYHENGE is a site-specific earthwork and sculptural installation at Josephine Sculpture Park by artist Peyton Scott Russell (Minneapolis, MN). “Graphology is the study of lettering, typography, and hand writing that captures a personal identity,” shares Russell, and “-henge” alludes to "a large circle of earth, stone, or wood that encloses a space of special importance." Together, GRAPHOLOGYHENGE is a sanctuary and safe space for graffiti art. It's a circle that invites people to make a personal mark or signature, write or paint a message, and leave evidence that you were there to visit.



Located in the Walnut Grove in the southwestern corner of the park, brightly painted walls emerge from the rolling hillside, contrasted against a natural backdrop of young forest and bushes. Visitors are invited to paint on the walls of GRAPHPOLOGYHENGE anytime during park hours, daily from dawn to dusk. Visitors should bring their own paint (spray paint, paint pens or permanent markers) and plan to take their waste with them.


Russell built GRAPHOLOGYHENGE as a JSP Artist in Residence in 2018 with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and several local businesses including Lee Brick and Block, Harrod Concrete and Stone, VanHouten Builders, John Fehsal Excavating and Cunningham Masonry.



In 2019, Russell returned to JSP as an Artist in Residence to teach SPRAYFiNGER, a weeklong graffiti camp for youth. Campers learned about the history and art of lettering and graffiti, designed their own tags, and painted on the sculpture’s walls. Russell brought in graffiti legend, TKID, as a guest artist. Russell and TKID hosted a culminating Paint Jam at GRAPHOLOGYHENGE, at which regional graffiti crews, campers, and the public made their mark and celebrated creating together with food and music.




On Russell’s website he writes: “Much of my youth and early adult years as an artist were spent trying to express an interest and love for a genre largely seen as glorified vandalism. A genre in which I have thrived and continued to succeed. My current arts organization, SPRAYFiNGER®, is dedicated to graffiti arts education. Through SPRAYFiNGER® and my personal artistic practice, my mission is to increase awareness and deepen the understanding of graffiti as a teachable fine art.”




Visitors contribute images and words to this artwork almost daily. JSP does not monitor or censor the content, and visitors’ views do not represent those of JSP. Please note that some content may not be suitable for all ages.


“This is a safe place for every person in the community to express themselves through creative lettering, painting images, writing on the wall with a sharpie…it is a place for community,” JSP Founding Director Melanie VanHouten shares. The Park has seen an increase in visitors thanks to the piece, not only from artists who come out to paint, but also from the general public who just want to see the piece. VanHouten explains, “Every week, it’s gonna be different. It’s been a tremendous asset to the park.”



Plan your visit Josephine Sculpture Park, and make your mark on GRAPHOLOGYHENGE by Peyton Scott Russell! 


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