WHY DO WE SHOW HOMELESS ART?

Compassion. We show homeless art to hear the voices of our neighbors who too often live in silence. By levelling the playing field for Denver art, we are all enriched.

We who are poor help feed the poorer. We who are weak help walk the weaker. We who talk on the streets of Denver understand that people live on these streets.

We walk on the same streets, so we share the same art. We talk on the same streets — and tonight these streets talk back to us.

WHAT IS THIS REALLY ABOUT?

Art for all. It’s about a common feeling we all share. The same feeling that demands doctors listen to their patients; that suggest that when a baby is born on the streets we all feed her. It’s that common feeling that brings the world’s attention to Denver: compassion.

“Hear my story and I will hear yours,” we shout together.

DOES THAT REALLY HELP US?

Yes. By rewarding our neighbors’ art, our neighbors reward ours. Creativity creates jobs, unites us in common endeavors, and makes Denver a better place to live.

“Encourage my creativity and I will encourage yours,” we cry together.

SO WE STAND FOR ART FOR ALL?

Yes. Not just the most paid but the most popular. We bring art back to the streets — and the streets bring art back to us all.

Watch Original Video »

No one likes bad graffiti. Business owners have a right to be upset when someone tags our buildings and devalues our assets!

However, as with any unrestrained expression of artistic creativity, we must carefully measure the (often stupid) measures we take and tax dollars we spend fighting such non-commercial activity. After all, when big businesses decide to “clean up” the work that the general public freely paints on dumpsters and abandoned buildings (with no incentive of profit or chance of economic gain), we ought to carefully weigh whose side we take.

Despite the fact that the video makes no attack on graffiti artists, here is a small defense against public art being displayed around Denver. Yes there are many many MANY ugly tags. But if the price of being surrounded with beautiful free art is, well, being surrounded with ugly free art too, perhaps it is worth putting that money into something more prudent — perhaps schools.

…perhaps our underfunded art schools…

Here is the link to the Denver Partners Against Graffiti. Here are a few pieces of Denver Graffiti we rather like: