The collective was created by graffiti artist Fabio Ema, who developed a methodology which became a national reference in the development of visual arts. It runs workshops in a wide number of communities across the city, and has two bases - in the community of Manguinhos and in Fundição Progresso (Progress Foundation) in Lapa. In 2013 it also inaugurated a graffiti school in the Salgueiro community.

favela painting is a brilliant ngo focused on improving the appearance of favelas by having residents paint the exterior of their own house according to colorful and creative schemes of 'community-driven painting interventions'.

here is a link showing the beautiful results of their work in the favela santa marta, while some earlier work can be seen on this link.