The first graffiti, or graffito, was probably made 3,500 years ago near the Sakkara Pyramid in Egypt. Since then, graffiti has been used all over the world by many different civilizations--the people of Ancient Greece and the Vikings, who left graffitied runes from England to Constantinople. A milestone in graffiti research, mainly archaeological, focused on the catacombs of Rome and the excavated city of Pompeii. In actuality, graffiti was not called such until 1856, when archaeologist Raphael Garucchi researched the “Graffiti de Pompei.”

Then during the French Revolution, there was a large growth in the use of political graffiti. Throughout World War II, and in the years afterward, a new kind of “mobile” graffiti appeared, and it was now seen as a means of communicating uncensored needs, feelings, and opinions. In the early 1960s, a new, urban kind of graffiti (“aerosol art”) emerged that allowed the free expression of people. It was viewed as both a new art form and a nuisance. Beginning in the ‘80s, graffiti really became a manner of art, as the revolution of letters, individuality, and symbolism came together in an underground environment.

For twelve years Satori has harbored the Graffiti Wall, providing a creative outlet for campers and counselors alike. The Graffiti Wall has become a showcase of feelings, artistic abilities, love of language, opinions, and favorite songs, which has in turn developed into our own history of graffiti.