Calgary graffiti artists get legal painting zone

Graffiti artists have been given a blank canvas in the form of a legal painting zone in a downtown Calgary park.

TheLandmark building at Shaw Millennium Park is seeing its blank concrete wall come alive with colour as part of project to encourage urban art. The site is also home to a large skateboard park.

Dawn Ford, with the City of Calgary, said theproject carries a positive message.

"One of our goals is to visually animate our city and make it much more vibrant, and in a space like Shaw Millennium Park we're looking at targeting the art ... to the community that uses that park," Ford said.

Calgary graffiti artist David Brunning, who goes by the name TheKidBelo, said it's timethe citydecided to have a legal painting zone.

"It's something that has been done in other places a lot and I think Calgary is finally stepping it up and saying, 'Let's do it', so it's cool."

Brunning hopes the legal painting zone will send a message to the kids who frequent the park.

"It gives them a bit of inspiration. It gives them the idea that there's more out there than just getting a university job and, you know, sitting behind a desk .... Do what you want to do and do it well," he said.

Seen as inspiration

Ford said the city is hoping more artists will be inspired to get involved with the project.

"So, the idea is that by giving that opportunity to participate and actually contribute to the artistic growth of this place, that they get a sense of ownership and a sense of joy in coming to this park more often," she said.

Brunning said some graffiti artists might be wary because they are used to avoiding police to paint illegally, but he's hopeful they'll eventually see the project as an opportunity to display their talent.

"So if they're not getting harassed and they're painting legally then their mind changes and that's a good thing."

The program will continue for three months. If successful, it could be extended to other areas of the city.