Good Graffiti

Graffiti artists from Indiana, Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City descend on one elementary school playground today for the Midwest Graffiti Expo. It seems that the allure of the spray-paint can has already become irresistible to some kids in the neighborhood of James Elementary School (5810 Scarritt), as evidenced by the appearance of gang tags, and our legendary local graffiti artists want to teach them the difference between vandalism and art. “It’ll be set up as an event for kids, you know, no alcohol or anything,” says Gear, who organized the event with the help of Joe Faus, a teacher and artist at the Mattie Rhodes Center, with permission from the Kansas City, Missouri, School District. “It’s basically to show the kids in that area the more productive side of graffiti. This way, they can look at somebody doing something they like in a professional way.” From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Gear will set up with local painters Scribe, Audio 57 and Sha9agin, plus half a dozen artists from out of town, and create murals on a large retaining wall on the west side of the school’s playground, using gallons of paint donated by the Mattie Rhodes Center and Habitat for Humanity. DJ Ataxic provides musical accompaniment, and the Hip Hop Academy supplies food and drinks. For more information, call the school at 816-418-3700. Gear