By Jim Berg

On June 18th, I received an invitation from the planners of the NoHo Arts Festival to allow young people connected with the Street Artist’s Workshop to Paint on the plywood wall facing Lankershim Blvd. at the Academy. Given no advance notice (less than an hour) I was able to assemble about 15 people for this project. I simply made two phone calls which mobilized this underground culture. The interesting thing about it is that I called a Chicano youth (Eberardo featured in the June issue) in Sun Valley and a White youth in Granada Hills. They in turn contacted their friends in North Hollywood, and we all met at Eagles Coffee Pub.

I was concerned that there would be two different groups and that they might not get along. My concerns were unfounded (as is usually the case). All of these kids either knew each other, or knew of each other. Boundaries of race and class were nonexistent within this group.

We then proceeded to paint the wall and didn’t stop until we ran out of paint (thirty cans of Krylon at $2.99 each – I hope the check doesn’t bounce – hint hint sponsorship hint hint). It was a lot of fun, and even L.A.P.D. got in on the act when an officer doing excellent community relations painted “Code 7 LAPD” with lots of friendly chiding from the kids (his can control was a little lacking).

It should be noted that I do not advocate vandalism. It is a very serious problem,, and it is my aim to affect this problem through the Workshop. I believe that vandalism is only a symptom of the real problem, which is the alienation of our youth. Their inheritance is a racially polarized city, a bankrupt state, a huge national debt and a polluted planet. The only solution society can offer is threats, coercion and violence in the form of tougher Mayors, higher taxes and bigger prisons. I would be alienated too.

On June 18th fifteen youths spent a Friday night creating a sanctioned, supervised work of art. They were having a good time without committing a crime, without violence, and had a very positive interaction with the police in the process. This city would be a much better place if every Friday night were like June 18th.

Special thanks to David Cox at the American Renegade Theatre, Jim Mahfet of the Chamber of Commerce, and Bill Wiley of the Academy.