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http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/arts_lifestyle/arts_lifestyle/cam_sidccjobsms08062003.htm
Painting with a purpose
By Ryan Kearney / Chronicle Staff
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Summer work program helps beautify the city
There's just something about utility boxes that makes them
the perfect urban canvases.
Perhaps it's their ubiquity or their sameness of color. Whatever
it is, these boxes are magnets for budding graffiti artists,
for youths looking to express themselves, defiantly, with
a can of black spray paint.
Traditionally, the city has tried to fight graffiti by repainting
"tagged" surfaces, but this only wipes the slate
clean for a new round of vandals. Now the city is taking a
new approach by turning the tables on those anonymous youths.
The Department of Public Works has teamed up with the Cambridge
Arts Council for a summer work program that employs local
youths to paint utility boxes however they choose.
Ten teens braved sporadic rain on Monday to paint three utility
boxes on Rindge Field. One of the boxes that had been littered
with graffiti tags was, ironically, being turned into a piece
of art that incorporated graffiti lettering. Call it fighting
fire with fire.
Watertown resident Dawn Scaltreto, who is supervising the
teens, has no love for utility boxes.
"They're ugly things," she said.
And costly. The DPW was spending a fortune to keep the boxes
clean. Last year, they decided enough was enough and approached
the CAC about painting murals on the boxes because, according
to studies, this deters vandals.
Last year, nine boxes were painted throughout the city. This
year, the city is aiming for 15 boxes.
The participants are hired through the mayor's summer youth
employment program and earn $6.75 an hour. Each teen conceives
of at least one design, which is presented to the CAC and
DPW for approval.
Painting interlocking puzzle pieces on of the Rindge Field
boxes, Kwarmaine Council, 14, of East Cambridge, said his
parents didn't force him to join the employment program.
"I did want to do the mayor's program," he said.
"That way, I can pay for stuff on my own."
Council said he requested the "Art Among Us" program,
as it's called, because he's interested in becoming a professional
artist.
"It's the only thing I know how to do," he said.
Contact Ryan Kearney at rkearney@cnc.com.
http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/arts_lifestyle/arts_lifestyle/cam_sidccjobsms08062003.htm
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