07 August 2009
A fantastic event is being organised to celebrate the one-year opening of the first legal graffiti wall in the Caerphilly county borough.
The 'Wreck Jam' event will take place on Friday 28th August at Caerphilly Skate Park, to the rear of Caerphilly Leisure Centre, beginning at 11.30am.
In the year since the legal graffiti wall was opened, it has provided people from across the Caerphilly county borough with a place where they can pursue their hobby of graffiti art, but in a completely legal way.
It has also helped significantly in reducing graffiti being sprayed on buildings and other property in Caerphilly town centre and the surrounding area.
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "The legal graffiti wall has to date been a very well used facility, and has significantly aided in reducing the amount of graffiti being sprayed illegally throughout the Caerphilly town centre area.
Let us not forget that spraying graffiti on buildings and other property is criminal damage, therefore I would encourage the small minority who feel it is acceptable to carry out such behaviour to come along and make full use of the excellent facility that is the legal graffiti wall.
The event on 28th August promises to be a very interesting day and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and help us mark the one year anniversary of the opening of the wall."
Neighbourhood Sergeant, Gavin Clifton, said: "Over the last year we have seen the number of reported incidents for graffiti across Caerphilly reduce by a half, compared to the previous year.
The graffiti wall appears to have been well used during this time, which is very pleasing. We are continuing to encourage youths to make use of this facility as if anyone is caught spraying graffiti illegally on local buildings or street furniture, then we will take appropriate action against them."
The 'Wreck Jam', which is being sponsored by Oner Signs and Leisure, is being organised to continue to raise the profile of the legal graffiti wall, and will feature dance performers, music and light refreshments.
There will also be demonstrations from professional graffiti artists from across the UK, who are coming to the area specifically for the event.
In addition, a legal graffiti art competition will also take place under the supervision of a professional graffiti artist.
Participants will be asked to produce a paper copy of their idea around a 'Cauldron and Furnaces' theme, before the winning entry is decided on the day. The winning entry will then be reproduced on the legal graffiti wall later on in the day.
Young people who attend the event will also be informed of the laws surrounding graffiti and the fact that spraying graffiti on buildings and other property is criminal damage – it will also be reinforced to people that the legal graffiti wall is there so that people can take part in their hobby of graffiti art in a completely legal way.
The wall itself was funded primarily by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, which incorporates agencies including Caerphilly County Borough Council and Gwent Police. It works to reduce levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Caerphilly county borough.
To submit a design for the legal graffiti art competition or to find out more, please contact Gary Meale, YOS Officer. Call 01495 235 623 or email Gary.
Alternatively, you can send your competition entry design, with your name, address and contact number to Graffiti Competition, Libanus House, 260 High Street, Blackwood, NP12 1YT.
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