Worried About Graffiti? Let's Fight Bad Art with Good

Much has been said about the in Phoenixville lately. This is , many municipalities large and small across the country have tried all sorts of various methods to fight their own localized problems. And usually these employed law enforcement based methodologies, often to various degrees of success or lack thereof. But I believe we need to stop looking at the issue as just a law enforcement problem, which can be quite costly to a town already under fiscal strain, and get creative. It's time we try to fight bad art, with good art.

Personally, I'm a believer in street art. I believe in taking something ugly and run down, and making it into something beautiful. And knowing a little bit about the history and development of street art, I know that a lot of great artists start out as taggers. Some of these kids, maybe not all, but at least some of them are just starting to cut their creative teeth, albeit in a negative way. They need a better outlet.

This is where the Phoenixville arts community can step in. We can start first by developing a public mural arts program. Any blighted areas that can be covered up, should be. And if the owners of a run down property can't be contacted or won't give permission, there should be an unspoken/unofficial local government policy to turn the other cheek it it happens to be covered up with something pretty.

Borough council can be engaged and encouraged to help out in any areas they can via ordinance changes, and pursuing grants or making some budget available to help finance projects.

The arts community can step up, and have more art based events. Put Phoenixville on the map as being a creative community. Because it is. 

But it must be all inclusive. The arts community must reach out and encourage artists across all demographics, which may including some styles or individuals you may not necessarily agree with. There is a ton of talented people in this town, I know, because I've met a lot of them. Being a photographer, I get to meet creative types from all walks of life. And some of them do feel that the arts community as it stands is a little closed off and exclusive. We need to change that. The arts community has been a little too silent lately. Let's make some noise.

Graffiti is still going to happen. It's a fact of life. But the more outlets we can open up for those who just want to be seen, the better. This is a great and talented community, and I think we can do something beautiful.

Ed Roper