Graffiti Art Lessons Defended For Pushing Community Pride

Newcastle Herald

Saturday February 19, 2005

By GABRIEL FOWLER

YOUNG people are learning the difference between appropriate art and inappropriate"tagging" while gaining a sense of belonging through aerosol art programs, youth workers say.

David May, co-ordinator of the Lake Macquarie Youth Activity Service, said the aerosol art program running at Bolton Point gave youths a sense of ownership of the local community.

So far the group has completed a mural on the amenities block of the Bolton Point Community Hall and, subject to approval by Lake Macquarie City Council, have a design in mind for the main building.

"Council has prepared the hall for that," Mr May said.

"Certainly anecdotal evidence of other projects in other areas, and our main aim, is getting young people to appreciate their community and have a sense of pride of ownership of their local community.

"From what I understand the tagging in Newcastle at the weekend involved people from Sydney bombing the area."

Newcastle's city centre was hit by vandals at the weekend with more than 40 premises indiscriminately covered in "tags" and graffiti.

Mr May said the Beating Graffiti program was funded by the Attorney-General's Department and had seen a decrease in the amount of graffiti in other areas.

About 15 young people are involved with the program, doing most of the associated activities on weekends.

Participants are also educated about the legal aspects of aerosol art, and are asked to photograph examples of appropriate and inappropriate spray painting.

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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