Local artists could aid in combating graffiti
We are responding to The Inyo Register article, “Bishop seeks to crack down on in increase in graffiti, vandalism” dated July 12, 2022.
Graffiti and vandalism have long been the bane of large urban environments and unfortunately, it has now cycled back to Bishop and surrounding areas. As the article pointed out, alleviating it has also become a huge financial expense for this city which is on a very limited budget. Often, cases of graffiti/ vandalism evolve into a vicious cycle. A bathroom, wall or facility gets tagged. The city steps in and removes or repairs it. The graffiti returns. The city removes or repairs it. The graffiti returns because we are giving the taggers a clean slate.
We clearly believe those who are responsible for these incidents should face punitive consequences for their actions. However, we would like to propose an alternative solution that will hopefully reduce future incidents of graffiti/ vandalism and provide opportunities for local artists. Bishop and other Owens Valley communities are blessed with a wealth of artistic talent. Some of these artists have expressed that talent through murals; many of them in Bishop. Murals not only replace bleak, blank walls, they interpret our great natural/ cultural history for the benefit of locals and visitors alike.
Several months back, the owner of the Family Dollar building was challenged with graffiti on the building. We collaborated to clean up the graffiti and then created a mural project engaging local artists and the community. We hoped to change the attitude with gratitude. So far, it has worked to create beauty with no defacing graffiti on the Seeds of Gratitude Mural. Chief Standridge was a great supporter of the mural project and provided extra patrols. Why not take some of the money normally used to repair and replace graffiti/vandalism and invest it in artists to create murals at the city park restrooms and areas that frequently get tagged? We have yet to see any murals tagged or defaced throughout the Owens Valley.
Marian Elton Seiter
Richard Potashin Lone Pine