In an attempt to change perceptions about graffiti, Kalani High School is unveiling an art wall tomorrow, a blank canvas for students to express themselves through graffiti art.

The retaining wall, behind the main school buildings, is about 170 feet long and 12 feet tall. Graffiti artists from Kalani High will paint the wall from 10 a.m. The theme will be the First Amendment. Local artist Pegge Hopper will also participate. She agreed to showcase these students' work at her Chinatown gallery in May.

The goal is to delineate between taggers who vandalize and artists who express themselves through this art form, said Kalani High art teacher John Nippolt.

"We need to offer these kids a venue instead of condemn them," said Nippolt, 62, who's helping to provide scaffolding and paint at tomorrow's event. "It's absolutely obvious they have something to say."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.