Writing could be on the wall for graffiti

Mar 11 2008 by Jean Parry, South Wales Echo

CELEBRATED graffiti artist Banksy earns big money for his art but the daubs seen around Caerphilly cost cash to get rid off.

A “don’t spray it to say it” scheme has see nine local youngsters aged between 11 and 17 – some involved with the Youth Offending Service (YOS) – being creative in others ways rather than through illegal graffiti at Cefn Hengoed Youth Centre. The scheme was designed by Freelance Arts Consultant, Cheryl Beer and funded by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership.

Operational manager for the YOS, Michaela Rogers, said: “I’m thrilled that the youngsters thoroughly enjoyed themselves for the duration of the scheme, but at the same time they learned important lessons about the effects that criminal behaviour such as illegal graffiti has on the wider community.”

The canvasses on which the youngsters’ worked will be displayed at an Community Arts Festival in the grounds of Crosskeys College on Sunday, May 11.

One youngster said: “I’ve learned so many new skills and now appreciate that ‘tagging’ and other forms of graffiti are not art – what we have learned this week is.”

“It’s great that we’ll have the opportunity to continue our hobby legally by decorating local youth clubs.

“I think that if people in the local area had a designated place where they could go to do their hobby legally, the graffiti problem in the area would really decrease.”