Graffiti artwork classes attacked

Jul 5 2005 By The Journal

Youth workers who plan to stage a graffiti art workshop for teenagers in a Northumberland market town have been accused by civic leaders of "legitimising vandalism".

Alnwick's Gallery Youth Project wants to include classes in the art form as part of a festival for young people, due to take place on July 23.

Youngsters will be able to use spray paints to create their designs, under the guidance of professional artist John Craggs, a specialist in graffiti art.

The voluntary organisation is also planning to set up a temporary skate park in the Market Place and have live bands playing on the day.

But the choice of activities has come under fire from town hall chiefs, who claim it could encourage more "tagging" in the historic town.

Graffiti vandalism is already considered to be a problem in parts of Alnwick, with crudely scrawled messages covering walls in a number of side streets, alleyways and lanes.

Last night town centre district councillor and former mayor Gordon Castle described the idea of a graffiti workshop as a "bad idea".

"Getting kids involved in a graffiti-removal workshop would be a much more useful and productive idea," he said. "In my opinion, this only legitimises what are highly public acts of vandalism.

But youth worker Ian McRae, from the Gallery Project, said the emphasis of the session would be on giving young people a chance to express themselves through art, as well as learning respect for their surroundings.