Young people, armed with spray cans and masks, in a central Aylesbury underpass.

It smacks of all-too-familiar news reports:

‘Teens made to clean Maryport subway graffiti’ BBC News

‘Graffiti vandalism education programmes target teens’ KidsNews

‘How graffiti vandals damage a community’ AP News

It costs the UK an estimated £1 billion annually to clean up graffiti. But is graffiti (words or drawings, especially humorous, rude, or political, on walls, doors, etc in public places) art or vandalism?

Think Banksy. His pieces sell in the world’s leading auction houses for £3k- £882k. On a city break you can book a walking tour that showcases graffiti. In cities like London and New York, neighbourhoods with a large street art scene have the fastest rates of gentrification. Graffiti and street art is becoming increasingly acceptable, and even sought after.

This sought-after art form is coming to Aylesbury… Buckinghamshire Council has commissioned AJArts, Aylesbury Community Board & Youth Services and Youth Concern to brighten up the underpass between Vale Park and town.

This project has offered young people the chance to get hands-on with a community-driven artistic initiative. Participants are improving a dark public space while reducing the need for reactive maintenance in the area.

It’s been wonderful to see the young people flourish as they make a lasting impact on our community, taking ownership of and pride in their home town. Come and meet some of the artists who will unveil their work on 4^th November at 3.30pm.