On a mid-September weekend, passengers riding the “L” near Brighton Park on Chicago’s near South Side were confronted with a rainbow of color. Young people held aerosol cans and sketchbooks filled with extraordinary art as they decorated the walls.

It was a weekend celebration where graffiti got the recognition and respect it deserves. Called the Meeting of Styles, the 4th annual International Graffiti and Hip Hop Festival drew graffiti artists from across the country, allowing them to “unify together,” in the words of Seel Fresh, one of Chicago’s leading graffiti artists.

To the left of the train tracks, a group of young boys scribbled their names in permanent marker, mimicking the graffiti artists nearby. And why wouldn’t they?

“It’s unbelievable how some of these guys can do what they do… including myself,” said Wise, sarcastically patting himself on the chest.

The murals were amazing. Wall pieces ranged from themes about the mafia and the sky to cell phones. The outdoor exhibit ran along Kedzie from from 24th to 36th street. “The best in Chicago, or in the United States if they decided to fly out here, will be placed on 30th street,” Wise said.

The event kicked off with a gallery event showcasing and selling the work of artists such as Stef, Mayor, Trixter, Denz, Prove, Kato, Demon, Thor, Nerd and Zore.  Outside, crews such as S3 (South Shore Slayers), CRS (Contemplating Real Schemes), LUV (Lurking Under Vapors), TD4 (The Deadly 4mula) and CAB (Cold Ass Brothers) showed off their “notoriety.”

“Graffiti is all about notoriety,” said Seel Fresh.

“I flew here from New York,” said Vik, 21, one of the only  girls in the festival. “My friends make fun of me because I flew all the way to Chicago, but this is what I love to do.”