Immersive Art Experience: Urban Canvas at Unarthodox
Last night, I went to Urban Canvas at Unarthodox in New York City, not really knowing what to expect. The description promised a Basquiat-inspired self-portrait workshop immersed in the raw energy of NYC’s street art scene. What I got was so much more — a hands-on experience that encouraged us to embrace imperfection, channel creativity, and truly let go. It was an absolute blast!
Urban Canvas isn’t your typical art workshop. It’s an immersive experience where you’re not just a spectator — you’re an artist. The vibe is lively, with music playing in the background and videos of street art projected onto the walls. Participants are guided through creating their own self-portraits using acrylic paint, all while drawing inspiration from the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Basquiat, an American artist who gained recognition in the 1980s during the Neo-expressionism movement, started out spray painting graffiti on buildings in Lower Manhattan. His work was raw, energetic, and unapologetically imperfect, embracing mistakes and letting intuition lead the way. He would scribble over errors, write words from songs or cereal boxes. That spirit carried through the entire Urban Canvas experience.
Hosted by Unarthodox, an art studio known for interactive and creative workshops, this session is designed to break down artistic barriers. You don’t need any painting experience — it’s all about self-expression, not perfection. The goal? To embrace bold colors, messy lines, and the beauty of spontaneous creativity, just like Basquiat.
After a quick overview of the materials and the philosophy of the experience, we jumped right in. The studio’s dim lighting, paired with projections of Basquiat’s work, created a moody, inspiring atmosphere.
Once you start painting, you’re encouraged to experiment. Bold lines, layer colors, symbols, words that have personal meaning – anything goes . Sarah is there to offer tips and guidance, but the overall vibe is relaxed and supportive.
Our sweet instructor guided us through the process while encouraging us to add personal elements like symbols, words, or lyrics that felt meaningful to us. She also shared stories about Basquiat as we painted, reminding us to channel his fearlessness. She reminded us to embrace the “mistakes,” build on them, and make them our own. Made a weird mark? Don’t stress over it — make it part of your art.
At one point, I was trying to make the moon I painted look less like a cookie, thinking I’d ruined the whole thing. But Sarah encouraged me to keep going, and by the end, that “mistake” became my favorite part of the painting. It felt uniquely me.
The best part? Watching everyone interpret the prompts differently. Some participants focused on abstract shapes and bold symbols. Others leaned into detailed representations of their faces, adding personal touches like handwritten words or patterns.
Each painting came out so different, almost like a personality test in disguise. You could almost imagine a therapist analyzing the bold strokes, delicate details, or chaotic splashes to tell us about ourselves.
My mother, who joined me for the evening, created a vibrant portrait that was completely her — colorful, spontaneous, and full of joy. Meanwhile, my process was meticulous, careful, and organized, revealing a touch of my perfectionist streak. It was fascinating to see how the experience turned into a moment of self-discovery. I wasn’t surprised to find myself obsessing over every mark I made, while my mother playfully filled her canvas with bold, colorful strokes.
There was even an unexpected twist: because of the projections on our canvases, we couldn’t fully see the true colors of our work until the next day. Seeing my painting in daylight was like discovering it all over again — the reds and yellows popped, and the textures stood out in ways I hadn’t noticed before.
This was a reminder that the process itself is the art, evolving depending on how, where, and when you view it — something Basquiat would have appreciated.
Urban Canvas is the kind of event that makes you feel alive, even if you don’t think of yourself as an artist. Here’s why it works:
It’s beginner-friendly: No skills? No problem. Sarah’s guidance makes the process easy and fun.
It’s personal: Your painting reflects your unique style, emotions, and story.
It’s social: The room was buzzing with laughter and creative energy — perfect for groups or solo participants.
It’s inspiring: From the Basquiat videos to the hands-on process, every detail helps you channel your creativity.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone who paints regularly, you’ll walk away feeling accomplished and inspired.
This experience is part of Unarthodox’s broader mission to make art accessible and fun. It’s an art studio in New York City, offering unique and interactive workshops. They specialize in immersive activities such as paint-and-sip, resin art, and clay-making. Their goal is to help people connect with their artistic side in a fun, low-pressure environment, and Urban Canvas is a great example of how they achieve that.
If you’re looking for a creative night out in NYC, Urban Canvas is a must-try. Whether you leave with a masterpiece or a messy experiment, you’ll gain a renewed appreciation for the boldness of street art and the freedom of self-expression.
Ready to give it a shot? Check out Unarthodox for upcoming dates and tickets — you won’t regret it!
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