Over break an interesting thing happened to the world of graffiti art here in Milwaukee. Aldermen Jim Witkowiak and Tony Zielinski of Districts 12 and 14 respectively proposed an ordinance to make it illegal to put up a mural without a permit. The goal was to regulate the size, location and content of any mural painted in public. The new ordinance would also entail a $100 fee and permit, and an annual fee of $75 for inspection.
Witkowiak and Zielinski, along with Alderman Robert G. Donovan of District 8, are part of the Common Council’s Anti-Graffiti Policy Committee, a taskforce whose credo is that “the most effective weapon against graffiti is the quick removal of it,” a phrase reiterated on each of the aldermen’s Web pages.
Alderman Zielinski claims that with this ordinance there would be a way to check these murals in order to be sure they are properly maintained. On the surface this seems legitimate. The fee is not terribly high, and, understandably, a business would have to get permission to put something up in public view. A closer look, however, reveals a ridiculous political agenda consisting of matter usually found at the ankles of bulls.
Some think supporters of the ordinance are trying to homogenize Milwaukee’s diverse Southside. “He (Ald. Zielinski) basically wants Bay View to be the next Shorewood,” says Sarah Dolhausen, executive director of True Skool. Founded on Milwaukee’s diverse Southside, True Skool is a nonprofit youth arts program set up to encourage young artists to convey their talents in a positive way. Some individuals included in the program have engaged in illegal graffiti, however Dolhausen says the mission is “redirection, not punishment.” “We work with property owners to create positive murals in common spaces formally open for any other public art.” While graffiti and other tagging remains illegal, a mural placed in these common spaces discourages such activity, says Dolhausen.
The ordinance, initially discussed Jan. 8 at the Zoning Code Technical Committee meeting, was met with strong opposition on many fronts. 18 concerned community members, including Susan Bietila, the artist who contributed to the Woodland Pattern Bookstore mural, and several members of the Riverwest Arts in the Alleys project, have voiced disagreement with the ordinance. The matter has even earned a write-up on local independent radio station 88.9’s community blog and has a home on Facebook. “This ordinance is illegal!” says the Facebook group. “Say NO to the Mural Ordinance…Stand up for Art in Milwaukee!”
It seems as though there are some sour grapes being had over this brilliant idea as well. At a zoning committee meeting, when questioned about the ordinance’s constitutionality, rather than stand for and discuss this ordinance he cares so much about, Alderman Zielinski stormed out of the meeting.
The ordinance, which has been tabled for now, is more like a tax on public art. While I agree that random tag sticking is scribbly and annoying, it seems that some political forces will try to spin a buck any way they can, including taxation of public art and even stooping to pick on nonprofit programs for kids. We must remain vigilant against these vultures elbowing their way in on a good thing, lest our beautiful and colorful city be reduced to carrion.
