AMGRAF
Preserving Art. Inspiring Youth. Building Community.
The Dogtown Collection & Gallery
At the heart of AMGRAF is the DogTown Collection, the world's largest known collection of graffiti and urban art on canvas. Featuring works by historically significant graffiti writers and urban artists from across the United States, the collection preserves an extraordinary chapter of American art, culture, and creative expression.
What began as an underground movement has become one of the most influential artistic forces in contemporary culture. The DogTown Collection captures that evolution, celebrating the artists, stories, styles, and communities that helped shape graffiti and urban art into a global phenomenon.
What began as an underground movement has become one of the most influential artistic forces in contemporary culture. The DogTown Collection captures that evolution, celebrating the artists, stories, styles, and communities that helped shape graffiti and urban art into a global phenomenon.
Housed within the historic APEX Everett building in Downtown Everett, Washington, the AMGRAF gallery offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience this remarkable collection firsthand. Through curated exhibitions, guided tours, and educational experiences, AMGRAF connects audiences with the history, cultural significance, and enduring influence of this uniquely American art form.
The gallery welcomes art enthusiasts, students, historians, and visitors from around the world, helping establish Everett as an emerging destination for internationally significant art and culture.
Our Mission
The American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project (AMGRAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of graffiti and urban art while using creativity as a catalyst for education, mentorship, and community connection.
Our work extends beyond the preservation of an extraordinary collection. We believe art has the power to inspire young people, bridge generations, celebrate diverse cultural perspectives, and create meaningful opportunities for communities to thrive.
Through exhibitions, educational programming, youth partnerships, and cultural experiences, AMGRAF is committed to ensuring that the history of graffiti and urban art is preserved, accessible, and celebrated for generations to come.
A Historic Home for Art & Culture
AMGRAF is located inside APEX Everett, a 30,000-square-foot historic landmark originally built in 1921 as a community gathering place.
Over the decades, the building served as a Masonic Temple and later as Club Broadway before sitting largely dormant for nearly 14 years.
In 2021, Johnny Carswell purchased the building with a vision to establish a permanent home for AMGRAF and the DogTown Collection while restoring the landmark to its original purpose as a vibrant community hub.
Today, APEX Everett brings together art, live music, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences under one roof. AMGRAF is central to that vision, connecting the building's historic legacy with a new generation of artists, audiences, and community members.
Art With Purpose: Education, Youth & Community
AMGRAF believes the true value of art extends beyond the gallery walls.
Through artist-led workshops, educational tours, mentorship, and community partnerships, AMGRAF creates opportunities for young people to explore their creativity, develop skills, and connect with positive role models.
Partnerships with organizations including Denney Youth Center help introduce youth at risk to artistic expression and new possibilities for personal growth.
AMGRAF also supports live music and cultural programming that brings people together, encourages collaboration, and contributes to the vitality of Downtown Everett.
By connecting art preservation with education, youth development, and community engagement, AMGRAF is building something greater than a museum: a cultural institution with a lasting impact.
A Local Treasure. A Global Destination.
With a world-class collection, a historic home, and a mission rooted in community, AMGRAF has the opportunity to introduce Everett to audiences from across the country and around the world.
Our vision is to establish AMGRAF and APEX Everett as a destination for art, culture, and creative discovery while generating meaningful benefits for local businesses, tourism, and the broader community.