The tag of graffiti
artist Banksy

by Jess Banham

Youngsters are getting spray cans ready – to daub their
'tags' on walls as part of half-term fun.

In an unusual series of workshops running at the Historic
Dockyard in Chatham from October 24, children will be able to
design and create their own "tags", or distinctive graffiti
signatures.

They will then be encouraged to spray them on a full-size
wall.

Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Video: Alex Patterson
from Chatham's Historic Dockyard talks about the project

Alex Patterson, collections and gallery manager, said it is
important to get people involved in different art forms.

He added: "It has to be done responsibly and a lot of these
artists would agree with that. It's about an art form not about
going out and guerilla-tagging things."

The workshops form part of a new exhibition which opens at No.1
Smithery: The Courtyard this afternoon.

A range of Street Art will be on display - on loan from the
Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

It showcases both well-known and emerging street artists, from
Banksy to Miss Tic.

Mr Patterson
said: ""It's good to show a different art form which people might
not necessarily consider to be an art form.

"These prints are a very important collection of the V&A's
and it shows the medium of printing is very much an important art
form that should be followed up."

The exhibition explores the way Street Art has moved away from
the painted wall and into printmaking and other media. It runs from
today until November 27.