It’s a tale as old as time: Concrete wall goes up, graffiti follows. But that particular form of artistic expression is often frowned upon. The city of Eugene has a solution, even if it has its critics.
Nick Woolley, local artist, installed a graffiti-free wall in 2008 where spray paint artists can display their work as a way of encouraging a legal outlet for this form of art. Eugene is becoming more accepting of street art. It’s easy to find a plethora of murals, performances and plenty of graffiti downtown.
Ty Warren, a University of Oregon art professor and former street artist, acknowledges the city’s effort to satisfy street artists.
“It’s great. I just think it could be improved. I worry about its effectiveness. It looks too much like an appeasement, not really a genuine gesture to street artists,” Warren said.
According to state law, unlawfully applying graffiti and unlawfully possessing graffiti implements are violations and punishable by a fine. Violations also require 100 hours of community service upon conviction. A person can also be charged with criminal mischief, which can be a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on the dollar amount of damage. These crimes are punishable with higher fines, up to $1,250 and possibly jail time of up to 30 days.
“There’s always going to be a group of people that wants to paint on something that isn’t theirs. They will search for something controversial to give the art more meaning,” said Clay Hurand, a UO freshman who has used the graffiti wall.
The wall is located off of Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, between Skinner’s Butte and the heart of downtown. This placement deems it accessible to both local residents and drive-by tourists.
“I think that it is a great idea for a city to offer that. At the same time stuff that is illegal will be more valuable than painting a wall that is for it,” Hurand said.
However, City of Eugene Maintenance worker Kevin Grabosky doesn’t believe the free wall has made a significant change in the amount illegal street art. According to him, 90 percent of the graffiti that the city addresses is gang related, which he doesn’t anticipate changing. He said the impact on the amount of artistic tagging hasn’t seen a significant change either.
“Honestly, I have not noticed it really changing a lot since that lot came in,” Grabosky said. “Kids are going to be out trying to put their tags on things … The (taggers) who come by once and try to put their art up, that might change as we go forward.”
The free wall may not satisfy every street artist, but students think it’s a good first step.
“I think it’s fantastic that I am seeing more interest in public art, but we need a bigger free wall out there as well as one here on campus,” Warren said