For August at Creative Class Studio, each month we spotlight a celebrated contemporary artist to inspire young creators. This month, we’re introducing kids to Kenny Scharf — a celebrated artist who rose to prominence in the 1980s East Village scene alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Known for his colorful, irreverent style, Scharf blends pop culture, cartoon imagery to create work that is both playful and thought provoking. His iconic “cosmic donuts” emerged from a mix of fascination and humor—visually delightful yet indulgent, sweet yet subversive. Inspired by theories that the universe might resemble a donut and even the first image of a black hole, Scharf transformed the sugary treat into a cosmic symbol of wonder and imagination.
Scharf has long championed accessible, non-elitist art. His decision to paint skateboards for the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth reflected his belief that art should live beyond gallery walls and speak directly to people— especially youth. For him, skateboards were a connection to the street. His work rejects gatekeeping and encourages joy, rebellion, and creativity. By turning overlooked objects—like garbage, cartoons, and donuts—into fantastical art, Scharf continues to inspire kids to see beauty and potential everywhere.
Let your child turn a blank skateboard deck into a bold masterpiece! Unleash their creativity with graffiti inspired art using vibrant paints, edgy markers, and wild patterns. From stylized letters to cosmic splashes of color, each board becomes a one-of-a-kind expression of their imagination. Hang it as art—or slap on some wheels and cruise the streets in style.
Let your child unbox these supplies and walk away to watch what magic they create. When they’re done, they can use the box as a platform to showcase their art, or you can recycle the box by bringing it back to the studio for $5.00 off your next box purchase.
Share their creation by tagging us on Instagram @creativeclassstudios Come back for more creations, every month we will showcase a new artist.
