Hands-On Heritage: Pablo Cots Brings DIY Magic to BEYOND THE STREETS Paris with Live Clothing Customization Workshops

In the mid of Paris’s vibrant culture landscape, where street art pulses through the city’s veins and fashion constantly reinvents itself, Pablo Cots is set to transform passive viewing into active creation. Starting June 13–14, 2026, and continuing through July and August, the Paris-based artist and designer will host a series of immersive clothing customization workshops inside the landmark exhibition BEYOND THE STREETS at La Grande Halle de La Villette. This activation turns one of the world’s most significant celebrations of graffiti, street art, and urban culture into a living studio, where participants don’t just observe—they co-create wearable art.

The workshops, running from 2PM to 6PM on select weekends (June 13–14, July 11–12, and August 1–2, 2026), are presented in partnership with POSCA, Le Géant des Beaux-Arts, and Kilo Shop. Each session invites up to a limited number of ticket holders to select a second-hand or blank garment—jackets, sweatshirts, or crewnecks—and collide directly with Pablo Cots to hand-paint unique designs using professional-grade materials. By the end of the four-hour experience, every participant walks away with a one-of-a-kind customized piece that embodies personal expression within the broader narrative of street culture.

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BEYOND THE STREETS opened on May 27, 2026, at the iconic La Grande Halle de La Villette (211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris) and runs through August 30/31, 2026. Spanning over 3,600 square meters, this expansive exhibition brings together more than 100 artists from across the globe, including legends like FUTURA 2000, Barry McGee, Shepard Fairey (OBEY), Keith Haring, Lady Pink, Invader, JR, and many more. It features historic works, new commissions, immersive installations, rare ephemera, fashion pieces, photography, and archives that trace the evolution of graffiti, street art, and countercultural movements.

 

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Housed in the grand, industrial architecture of La Grande Halle—originally a 19th-century cattle market turned culture powerhouse—the exhibition creates a dynamic, almost theatrical environment. Visitors encounter everything from Kenny Scharf’s cosmic installations to large-scale murals, skateboard decks, and fashion collides that highlight the seamless interplay between art, music, skate culture, and style. The Pablo Cots workshops extend this energy by activating a dedicated space within the exhibition, blurring the lines between spectator and practitioner.

This Paris edition marks a significant European milestone for BEYOND THE STREETS, which has previously captivated audiences in Los Angeles and other cities. Curated with a manifesto-like spirit, it celebrates not only the view language of the streets but also the communities, DIY ethos, and rebellious innovation that define urban creativity. In 2026, amid ongoing conversations about sustainability, digital vs. analog creation, and culture appropriation, the exhibition feels especially resonant.

who

Pablo Cots is a multidisciplinary force whose work bridges illustration, graphic design, typography, and object-making. Born and based in Paris, Cots grew up immersed in skate culture, music, and the city’s vibrant street art scene. As a teenager, he began tagging walls with skate brand logos and quickly evolved into a prolific creator known for play, expressive views that mix bold typography, character-driven illustrations, and layered textures.

His practice is deeply rooted in DIY ethics. Cots treats clothing as an extension of the canvas—mobile, personal, and democratic. Either designing for independent labels, colliding on limited apparel drops, or leading workshops, he emphasizes accessibility and joy in the creative process. His view lang draws from graffiti lettering, comic aesthetics, urban signage, and the raw energy of skate graphics, resulting in pieces that feel both nostalgic and forward-looking.

Cots’ involvement with BEYOND THE STREETS is a natural fit. The exhibition’s emphasis on living culture aligns perfectly with his hands-on approach. Participants will benefit from his guidance on composition, color theory (with POSCA markers), layering techniques, and conceptual storytelling—turning a simple garment into a narrative object that carries personal and cultural significance.

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Each workshop session is designed as an intimate, guided experience. Upon arrival, participants choose from pre-selected garments sourced through Kilo Shop, a pioneer in circular fashion that promotes upcycling and second-hand culture. This partnership underscores the environmental ethos: transforming existing pieces rather than producing new ones, reducing waste while fostering creativity.

Le Géant des Beaux-Arts provides high-quality art supplies, ensuring professional results, while POSCA markers—beloved by street artists for their versatility on fabric, opacity, and permanence—serve as the primary tool. Pablo Cots leads the session with demonstrations, individual feedback, and group inspiration, encouraging participants to draw from the exhibition’s themes or their own lived experiences in the city.

The four-hour format allows time for ideation, sketching, painting, drying, and finishing touches. Expect a lively atmosphere filled with music, conversation, and the hum of creative energy. Past participants in similar Cots-led sessions describe the process as empowering—demystifying art-making and leaving them with newfound confidence and a tangible memento.

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Clothing customization has long been a cornerstone of subcultures—from punk safety-pin aesthetics and skate deck art to hip-hop airbrushed jackets and modern streetwear drops. In the context of BEYOND THE STREETS, Pablo Cots’ workshops revive this tradition in a contemporary light. They embody circular fashion principles, resist fast-fashion homogeneity, and celebrate individuality within collective culture.

For fashion enthusiasts, these sessions highlight the growing intersection of street art and wearable design. Brands like Supreme, Palace, and independent labels have long drawn from graffiti and DIY roots; here, participants get to experience that lineage firsthand. The workshops also foster community—bringing together locals, tourists, artists, and curious creatives in a shared space that honors Paris’s rich history as a hub for artistic rebellion and innovation.

In 2026, with sustainability at the forefront of fashion discourse and AI-generated art challenging traditional craft, these analog, tactile experiences feel vital. They remind us that true creativity often happens through direct material engagement—paint on fabric, hand to garment, story to surface.

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Workshops are included with standard exhibition admission (tickets available via Ticketmaster). Spaces are limited, so advance registration via the official form on the BEYOND THE STREETS website is strongly recommended. All materials, including the garment, are provided—no need to bring anything beyond your enthusiasm and ideas.

Dates recap:

• June 13 & 14, 2026 — 2PM–6PM
• July 11 & 12, 2026 — 2PM–6PM
• August 1 & 2, 2026 — 2PM–6PM

Exhibition hours generally run Tuesday to Sunday, 11AM–7PM. The Grande Halle de La Villette is easily accessible via Metro (Porte de Pantin) and offers a family-friendly yet sophisticated environment perfect for all ages and skill levels.

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The Pablo Cots workshops enhance BEYOND THE STREETS Paris as more than an exhibition—it becomes a culture laboratory. By integrating education, participation, and retail (including a thoughtfully curated gift shop), the show models how large-scale institutions can nurture living creativity rather than merely archive it.

For ones passionate about fashion, design, and culture, this is a prime opportunity to engage with the roots of contemporary streetwear. Either you’re a seasoned customizer, a street art aficionado, or simply seeking a memorable Paris experience, these sessions offer a direct line to the heartbeat of urban creativity.

Pablo Cots’ presence ensures that the workshops transcend basic crafting. They become conversations—between artist and participant, past and present, garment and wearer. In a world increasingly mediated by screens, the tactile joy of painting your own jacket inside one of the year’s most ambitious art exhibitions is something truly special.

As summer unfolds in Paris, La Grande Halle will hum not only with the echoes of legendary artists but with the fresh marks of everyday creators. Pablo Cots invites you to add your chapter to the ongoing story of street culture—one brushstroke, one garment, one personalized masterpiece at a time.

This activation reinforces why BEYOND THE STREETS remains essential: it doesn’t just document the movement—it keeps it alive, breathing, and open to all who dare to participate. Secure your spot, step into the exhibition, and leave wearing your own piece of history.