Friday, August 9, 2002
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Friday, August 9, 2002 |
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Will "legalized graffiti" program fly in PTC? By JOHN
MUNFORD
A request from several local teens for a city-sanctioned place to create "extreme art" better known as graffiti has gotten support from Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown. Brown believes the three youths who met with him over a month ago are serious about their art and just want a place to create it without getting in trouble. "They said, 'We just want to do the right thing,'" Brown said. "... They take it very seriously as an art form. They're real neat kids." The teens at first wanted a fixed public structure to create the graffiti on, but Brown came up with an alternate proposal. The city could use wooden posts and plywood to give the young artists a large "easel" for a canvas they can use for their creations, Brown said. Brown compared the concept to the city's original idea to have a half-pipe skateboard ramp so local skateboarders could have a legal place to ride instead of causing problems in shopping centers where they weren't wanted. "We're looking for fun and productive activities," Brown said. The area could be located behind the police station for security purposes and there would be some regulations, including a ban on any profanities, Brown said. Brown also promised the young artists that if their work passes muster on certain themes, he would endeavour to get the artwork displayed in an appropriate place. "If they do one on Easter, I'll get a church to display it," Brown said. "Or if they do one on 9-11 (the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11), maybe we could put it up at a fire station." In return, the youths promised to recruit as many others as they can to participate in an effort to help cut down on graffiti throughout the city, Brown said. Brown said the materials to create the oversized easel would be inexpensive and the location behind the police station could be monitored with the police department's remote camera system.
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