Graffiti event hits Indy

Aerosol cans will click-clack and the fizzing spray of paint might induce light-headedness or contact highs this weekend as Broad Ripple, one of Indianapolis' most vibrant and unique neighborhoods, holds its second Midwest graffiti expo. Subsurface, sponsored by the Indianapolis Arts Center in conjunction with the Broad Ripple Village Association, will publicly showcase 40 Midwest artists creating a graffiti mural 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. both Sept. 4 and 5. \nMatthew Lawrence, founder and director of operations for the Urban Artist Network and a participating artist, said the expo is a great way to shed light on a misunderstood art form.\n"I think the public has a general outlook that's pretty negative of graffiti art and this event," Lawrence said. "It's a beautification project in Broad Ripple's cultural district, and it's public art."\nThe Midwest graffiti expo was first held in 2002, and this will be the second expo. Lawrence said he is trying to make it an annual event so the artists can work with a community that might be traditionally opposed to graffiti and to create a positive alternative to defacing property.\nLawrence said the public's perception of graffiti art might be influenced by its limited knowledge of the topic but added that the first expo was received well and has helped build a relationship between the city and the artists in the past.\n"There's a very positive atmosphere when (the artists) come up," Lawrence said. "It's a chance for a public to get to know the artist when they come to perform their work, and it put the artists out there for the public to see."\nLocal Broad Ripple businesses, such as Alley Cat Lounge and Passwater Auto Specialists, have volunteered wall space for the event.\n"I think (the mural) turned out well last time," said Tim Oprisui, owner of Old Pro's Table, which is volunteering wall space for the expo.\nOprisui also said the art expo has had two positive influences for the Broad Ripple neighborhood. It has decreased graffiti and vandalism in the neighborhood and also helps the cultural aspects for the area, he said.\n"I think people who graffiti will pick a plain wall, but they won't damage a piece of art," Oprisui said. \nSince the first mural was painted two years ago, there hasn't been any vandalism done to it, Oprisui said. \nLawrence said the artist selection was by invitation only. The artists come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including professional mural artists, customer sign painters, movie set designers and children's book illustrators.\nLawrence said this year, local disc jockeys and musical groups have been added to the line-up and will perform from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. during the expo.\nAccording to a press release from the Indianapolis Arts Center, Subsurface will take place in the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District in the alley east of the Broad Ripple Post Office, located at 6255 Carrollton Ave., which runs between 61st Street and Broad Ripple Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, contact The Indianapolis Arts Center at (317)-255-2464.\n-- Contact senior writer Tony Sams at ajsams@indiana.edu.