Arts centre offers tips on graffiti

Become an urban blight expert for just $33.75
By JOHN STEINBACHS, Ottawa Sun

A WALL OF GRAFFITI frames an impromptu basketball game last night in a schoolyard on Slater St. The city’s new fall arts and recreation guide is offering budding artists a one-day workshop on “graffiti, big art and sculpting skills.” (Geoff Robins, SUN)
SOME city departments fight graffiti.

Others teach kids how to do it better.

While the city spends almost half-a-million dollars a year to stamp out the urban blight, teens can now improve their graffiti, big art and sculpting skills -- courtesy of a city art program being offered at the Nepean Visual Arts Centre.

A workshop titled "Big Art" will be taught by local "graf" artists Stephan and Pat Thompson, according to the new city arts course calendar guide.

They'll be holding the workshops in October.


"Think the suburbs are boring? Speak up, express yourself," reads the guide. "Only you have what it takes to repaint your world."

'WE'VE GONE NUTS'

The course, geared to young people aged 13 to 18, will cost $33.75 per session and will be offered twice.

"I don't know what to tell you," said Coun. Eli El-Chantiry. "I think honestly, I think we've gone nuts. What would you say to that other than we've gone nuts?"

Councillors have long complained about the scourge of graffiti and "tagging" that defaces underpasses, fences, stop signs, hydro boxes and private property -- all with a costly cleanup bill.

"I don't see any benefit from promoting this stuff," said El-Chantiry.

Some councillors say the course may actually be a good thing, channelling the artistic expressions of young people.

"I'd just like to know what they had in mind but I'd presume it was a good thing," said Coun. Diane Deans. "I presume it's not a course in how to deface public property."

Coun. Jan Harder said graffiti vandals have only gotten worse in the Nepean area over the years but a program designed to provide a good place for kids to graffiti may be a good thing.

"If this program is to only ... teach you how to be a better graffiti artist then it's shutting down," said Harder.

She said if the program provides a place for responsible graffiti artists to practise their craft, then she could see the benefit to the community.

GRAFFITI IMPULSE

Harder said she has heard of some initiatives, which can focus the graffiti impulse onto a more appropriate or approved place like a wall on city property.

The Thompsons, though not related, are well-known among Ottawa's local art scene for their urban artwork.

Pat Thompson's art has been displayed in the Ottawa Art Gallery and Artguise Gallery on Bank St.