Public art, creative economy, or vandalism?

NEWS RELEASE

NORDIK INSTITUTE

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On February 25 Sault Ste. Marie residents have an opportunity to explore the many perceptions of Graffiti through Cinema Politica’s showing of the film, Roadsworth: Crossing the Line, followed by a panel discussion of local graffiti experts.

“The showing of this film and the panel discussion is very timely” says Elizabeth Cooke, a research assistant at NORDIK Institute and a member of the local chapter of Cinema Politica.

“Although graffiti has long been considered vandalism, people are beginning to recognize that it can actually be a form of community or street art and can make a contribution to the development of the creative economy” says Jude Ortiz, NORDIK Research Coordinator.

The film screening and panel discussion will take place at 7 p.m. at 180 Projects, an independent gallery located at 180 Gore Street.

Debates about graffiti in Sault Ste. Marie have resulted in the formation of a committee by City Council, as well as the development of “Graffiti Reframed”, a project emerging from the Downtown Dialogue in Action project.

Sponsored by NORDIK Institute and the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District, and funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, “Graffiti Reframed investigates how building artistic capacity impacts youth identity” says Duane Moleni, Executive Director of the Arts Council. “With films and discussions such as Roadsworth, and skills development opportunities for graffiti artists, we hope to change the understanding of Graffiti and those who produce it in Sault Ste. Marie”.

Doors open at 6:30 with the movie beginning at 7, everyone welcome, donation only.

For more information or to RSVP please go to www.facebook.com/events/1596314317266285/

Graffiti Reframed

Graffiti Reframed is a collaborative research project between the Sault Ste. Marie and Area Arts Council and NORDIK Institute, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The project brings together a diversity of people, including youth, and organizations to gain a broad based understanding of graffiti and investigates whether building artistic capacity impacts youth identity.

It also creates opportunities for engagement and employment in the creative economy, fosters community pride, place-making and tourism opportunities.

For more information go to: http://www.nordikinstitute.com/archives/project/graffiti-reframed-2