Ash Busse (she/her) is a Chicago-based cultural worker and art educator whose journey from aspiring artist to influential mentor has come full circle. Starting as a high school student, Ash took advantage of public programming through the After School Matters teen program and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s College Arts Access Program. These early experiences were pivotal, resulting in a scholarship that enabled her to pursue a formal art education in community development and art education.
Now, as a teaching artist, Ash has returned to those very programs that once nurtured her passion for fostering new relationships with youth and expanding access to the arts. Specializing in spray paint and graffiti, she transforms these often-misunderstood mediums into powerful tools for self- expression and creativity. By integrating graffiti into her curriculum, her teaching offers students a unique and inclusive approach to artmaking, breaking down barriers and challenging conventional perceptions.
Today, Ash serves as an Art Instructor for the Chicago Park District, leading graffiti art classes for youth and adults in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Through this role, she continues to champion artistic exploration and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on the vibrant cultural landscape of Chicago.
Featured Artworks
This is Our Story Mural progress for Eric Hotchkiss and Go Green Fresh Market. April 2024.
Photo by Holly Henning.
In Action. July 2019.
Walk H Mural. August 2021.
Name Plate Workshop in response to the 2022 exhibit Tectonic Reflections by Ruben Aguirre at The National Museum of Mexican Art. February 2022.
Atmos Forever tribute wall Mckinley Park viaduct. Spring, 2020.