Classes teaching local youth about the creation of public art — Graffiti 101 — will debut at the Berwyn Cultural Center next week in hopes of encouraging young artists to express themselves on canvas, not buildings.

Berwyn resident Victor Herrera will instruct a group of young adults on the art of graffiti. Herrera has been writing graffiti since he was in sixth grade and said he plans to teach the basic hand styles using sketchbooks, pens, pencils and markers — no spray paint.

“I tried to stay away from (graffiti) because I used to do it illegally, but now I get down with permission walls,” Herrera said.

Ivan Watkins, director of the Berwyn Cultural Center through the North Berwyn Park District, said Herrera is a talented artist who recently moved into becoming a local, professional muralist. He is attending Morton College pursuing an associate’s degree in fine arts.

“The class is designed for that, to reach a demographic we may not reach otherwise,” Watkins said. “Pull them in and give them a sense of guidance and a more productive environment.”

Watkins said the class is not promoting criminal behavior, but rather attempting to harness and challenge that mentality.

In Chicago, Watkins was a part of a similar graffiti class that helped young adults step out of the criminal mindset. Some of the young artists Watkins has worked with in the class have gone on to become highly paid local muralists.

“It won’t feed graffiti; the kids that are into graffiti are into it whether there is a program or not,” Watkins said. “My goal is to give them a place to do what they are interested in.”

Watkins said the class will help channel energy into something productive. Street graffiti is not about art, he said, but people making their mark on public places. People might be less likely to tag if there’s a designated place to create large murals and form a community, Watkins said.

“There is a fine line that we are walking,” Watkins said. “We (have to deal with the graffiti) openly and honestly, and we will have the intention and capacity to guide the youth.”