Graffiti Reframed is a collaborative project with the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District and NORDIK Research Institute, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This year long initiative will create public art murals, teach youth and multi-generations about Graffiti Art and the community will participate in conversations that will aid in the research and final report of the effects of mural art on cities and neighbourhoods.
We are proud to “unveil” our first large scale outdoor mural on Saturday October 18th from Noon to 3pm at the ‘Steel City Motorsport” location at intersection of Gore and Wellington. Builder owner, George Wilson, donated his wall space to give our participants a “canvas” to create. To celebrate the hard work of our mural artists, DJ Seith and local break-dancer “B” Boy will add their talents to our showcase.
Six young people have worked together to design and paint this mural with guidance from lead artist, Sharon Hunter and youth mentors; Cameron Dutchak and Jason Lloyd. In their artist’s statements, the youth have said, “My motivation is the great supplies and resources I have access to, and the great connection I’ve made here.” Another stated, “This program is good because we are helping make the community look beautiful.” Other participants commented, “I was inspired about the size of the wall and the fact that I was allowed to do what I wanted to do.” And “I ‘ve been happy an confident with my work, and it’s great being around people who are interested in you and are willing to help.”
“On behalf of the Arts Council and NORDIK Institute, we want to thank the Neighbourhood Resource Centre for giving our project a “home-base” and we hope to continue to support more programming in the area,” said, Lisa Vezeau-Allen, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District.
Future plans include a “Youth Activity Night and Graf Café” that will take place on Friday November 7th at the Neighbourhood Resource Centre at 138 Gore St., from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
“This project is truly giving youth a chance to lead and explore possibilities, they are telling us what they need, what they want and the Activity Nights and Graf Café came from them, not us, the adult allies.” said Lisa Vezeau-Allen, Executive Director, Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District.
This is fine and dandy; but there is a slight flaw with this good intended plan. Businesses in SSM are upset because some individuals have taken it upon themselves to plaster graffiti on their buildings and now, they’re facing a huge expense to have it removed.
I don’t think that was the intention of the Arts Council. Sadly, in these cases, we’re back where we started; spray painting someone’s building without their permission. That is against the law.
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