×

Graffiti Wall draws artistic talent to city park

Creative, respectful work on display

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY A giant M for Marshalltown is centerpiece for the colorful and eye-catching graffiti wall constructed at Skate Park near the South 6th Street Softball Complex. Eight apprentice bricklayers affiliated with the Iowa State Trowel Trades built the wall which is 8 feet tall by 16 feet wide.

The use of graffiti in a city park is typically frowned upon but the use of the artistic expression at Marshalltown’s Skate Park is now open for the creative use and enjoyment of the public

A view of the wall currently shows the work of A-Boss, K-Clean, J-Dog and J-Spray, and no doubt there will be many more to come.

The artists applied a lot of creativity and colors to the front and back of Graffiti Wall, showcasing the new feature at the park in the 800 block of South Sixth Street.

Marshalltown’s Parks and Recreation Department helped coordinate its installation with volunteer construction help from eight apprentice bricklayers with the Iowa State Trowel Trades.

“The eight who built the wall are what we call in the business ‘pre-apprentices'” said Chris Busch if ISTT. “They are assigned eight weeks of unpaid training to develop their skills. While not being paid, their work experience does count toward their apprenticeship.”

“The wall is extremely popular,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ann Selness to the city council recently.

The two-sided wall is constructed of cement cinder blocks paintable on both sides.

The only ground rules according to a posted sign on the wall’s side is to “be creative, respectful and enjoy everyone’s art. Obscene words or symbols are prohibited. The wall will be whitewashed each month, or as needed, so new murals and artwork can be added.”

Selness said graffiti walls have become aesthetically trendy throughout the country as a public art form. More youth-oriented features will be seen at parks throughout the city.

Parks and Recreation has been paying attention to local youth and teens needs since they were identified as one of the most under-represented groups in a special survey conducted last year.

“Skate Park was designated a ‘priority park,’ in the Master Plan for much-needed improvements,” Selness said. “The graffiti wall will continue to draw people to the South 6th Street Recreation Complex Area including the revitalized Mega-10 Park, the new Children’s Discovery Garden and the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center. All will provide enhanced multifaceted recreational opportunities for families of all ages and abilities,” she said.

The Marshalltown Skate Park was installed in 2010 to appeal to skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters. But after evaluating the responses provided by those who completed the recent Parks and Rec survey, a plan to enhance the grounds is in the first stages of development.

——

Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today