SEATTLE — Artists are volunteering their time and talent on Labor Day to paint a mural outside a Seattle non-profit agency.
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Chris Legeros reports the goal is not just to make building and the Capitol Hill neighborhood more attractive, but also to combat graffiti.
It's a beautiful brick building dating back to 1911 that’s been the target of graffiti many times, even though it's the home of Gilda's Club, which offers support for cancer patients and their families.
Program director Sally Benson hopes that painting a mural on the north side of the building will do more than just cover up the vandalism. She hopes it will prevent it and save thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.
“This is not only an expense for us, but it also defaces our more than 100-year-old building,” said Benson. “We’re hoping that we’re not subjected to any more graffiti.”
The artists who have volunteered their skills and time admit they were taggers once themselves. They use spray cans and even paint in a similar style. But the artists hope that vandals will respect their work as artists and not damage the mural.
“Most artists respected each other’s work,” said artist Jake Wagoner.
The artists said their primary goal is to make that area of Capitol Hill more attractive with a meaningful message painted on the building.
A cracking, crumbling gray wall is supposed to represent cancer. Everything behind it symbolizes life and hope, with a door always open to Gilda's Club, inviting people to get help inside.
“It’s grabbing peoples’ attention, and through it, they enjoy our art but also get the message behind the business that’s in it,” said Wagoner.
After the mural is finished next weekend, a special sealant will be applied to protect it. If the mural is tagged, the fresh paint can be wiped away with a paint remover without damaging the mural.
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