Graffiti are going up all around York County.

And York City Mayor Kim Bracey is joining in the fun.

The new graffiti creations are obviously not part of new vandalism efforts; they're a series of graffiti workshops in which York Habitat for Humanity has invited area youth to contribute original artwork to a house.

The first of three graffiti workshops for students age 13 to 17 was held Wednesday in Warrington Township.

Bracey will attend the next workshop -- which is already maxed out with students -- on Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Springettsbury Avenue.

Participants are still welcome to join the third workshop being held Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Brogue.

Self-expression: "Lots of time, young people really like to express themselves through art," said volunteer Roxanne Price. "It is always good to promote our kids and give them a chance to promote their artistic ability, especially since some schools might have to cut their art programs."

Price came up with the idea after retiring last year from her role as the York County 4-H coordinator. A similar workshop years ago in 4-H had a great response, and Price decided to build on that -- literally.

With instruction from two local artists, the students will create their own graffiti designs on 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood, which will become the future walls of two Habitat homes on South Albermarle Street in downtown York.

Both of the homes are part of Habitat's Building on Faith project, in which local churches and faith-based organizations complete all of the construction on the duplex unit.

The youth are encouraged to create a positive message about safety, love, family and faith.

How it works: Once the graffiti walls are finished, they will be nailed together to form the walls of the homes.

"Once we put it on we'll take a big picture of it for the family, and eventually it will be covered up," Price said. "I like to think of it as we are enclosing and surrounding the family with positive thoughts."

The artists overseeing the workshops are Ethan Gallardo, a recent York College graduate who majored in art, and Bonita Sinlinger, who owns Blissful

Bonita Art Studio and Gallery on East Market Street.

"The sheets of plywood have been painted white, and then (the students) will be using spray paints," said Price. "The artists will teach them how to make thin and thick and broad lines and all sorts of different stuff."

The cost to participate is $30, which covers supplies and professional instruction. Anyone interested in signing up should contact Roxanne Price at 891-0989 or rfp1@psu.edu.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com