All Rails Lead to St. Louis
Opaque Collective presents two exhibitions: Steel Wheels and United Freights of America. Together, they trace the living histories of more than 350 graffiti writers and the vehicle that connects them: the freight train.
Both exhibitions will open Friday, August 28, 2026 from 6–9 p.m. at Opaque Collective, 7401 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63111 and will be on view through September 20, 2026.
In response to Bruno David –
Graffiti arose as the most democratic form of making and public expression, from communities who were not included in art world spaces. Now, we see the same art pillaged and displayed as a sampling of “grit and grime” whitewashed and supported by the framework of colonial thinking. The distance between Clayton and the Flood Wall is more than physical. It’s economic, it’s racial – it’s an ideological divide.
Route 69: Opaque’s Grand Opening Exhibition and Open House
ROUTE 69 featuring Janie Stamm and Brittany Mosier
Exhibition Opening: Friday, 3/20, 6-9 pm
Artist Talk and Opaque Talk: Saturday, 3/21 11am - 1pm
Come and meet the collective members, tour our printshop and graffiti lounge, and experience an evening in The Patch!
Opaque Presents: “A History of Graffiti” Film Series
Our first film series will outline the eras and evolution of the art form and culture of graffiti. We intend to provide an insider's perspective of the culture rarely seen by the general public.