Graffiti Mural: Success!

OK, I'm hearing all this in spite of myself. I'm going to put together my own set of Best Practices for mural installation.

There are a number of things that I've had concerns about. Locations (how best determined); How long are they up (some might be temporary or change); impact studies (let's be responsible, positive/negative results); ID graffiti hot-spots (where and when does graffiti spike); student involved programs (are they positive experiences/effective as arts programming)

Thanks for keeping me on track. Suggestions welcome.

Community responsibility begins with personal responsibility.

Thanks to CatDog and VA2015 for identifying a rant on a public message board. It's important work you do and I applaud it. And yup, I stand by my post as summed up by stc4blues, " public art is important, but tricky, and needs to be done right."

Thank you all.

So? I was recently asked to contribute to a mural initiative here in JC. (Based on what I?d seen produced by the group I was skeptical.) I had some questions about the project. Instead of opening up a dialogue I got a dressing down?I was schooled on freedom of expression, the value of graffiti as art and basically accused of elitism.

As an arts educator I take public art and youth programming seriously. My views sometimes run counter to what is expected. I?ve seen good intentions at work and they don?t guarantee success. We need to be critical and clear-eyed about our successes and failures.

Some mural programs have had positive results while others have done more harm than good. Communities are justified in their concern about graffiti hotspots and communicating with murals that certain areas are safe zones for graffiti. Creating a good mural program doesn?t happen off the cuff.

I?m particularly critical of programs that get linked to arts funding for kids. Again, some programs work, others not-so-much. The arts have the potential to give children the media and opportunity to shape and communicate their feelings and ideas. They also help students learn to ?envision? ?? to think about that which they can?t see. Student art programs shouldn?t be an ?anything is better than nothing? situation.

Quality arts programming for kids must:
? take its rightful place as a core subject
? be tied to standards of quality
? engage students intellectually, emotionally and physically

Let?s take a stand and commit to thoughtful, quality programs when it comes to public arts programs particularly when they involve students. Let?s establish programs that serve our community, not our egos and self-interest.

Thanks All! Particularly psyched to try Cinnamon Snail... had passed by and thought it was a dessert truck, just checked menu online. Looks amazing. If there are more out there please add to the list.

Plenty of debate over the best pizza, burgers, etc.... anyone know the best vegetarian/vegan options in JC? (Please don't send me to Two Boots for the vegan pizza... not everything should be about pizza.)

This string of posts is sad and shameful. Heaven forbide someone you don't find attractive tries to pick you up. No threats? no touching? no assault? Get over yourself.

Good to see that since the original post we now have Tachair Books. Also, Word Bookstore on the way. JC is a reading town. (Will continue to go to Grace Church too, no mistake!)