The MuralsDC program was developed in 2007 as a city-wide effort to combat illegal tagging graffiti; since then, 27 murals have been painted across Washington. This morning, Councilmember Jim Graham, who commissioned the program, along with representatives from the Department of Public Works and the Commission on Arts and Humanities gathered at the former Bruce Monroe School to dedicate seven new works of public art created over the summer.

Graham began by noting that even in the “worst of budget times,” a program like MuralsDC requires relatively little funding to create an impact. DPW recieves money through the Committee on Public Works, chaired by Graham, who confirmed that funding for the program is secure for this fiscal year. MuralsDC is intended to “bring art to the people” while “eliminating graffiti.” Sites are chosen based on where graffiti has been a problem in the past (DPW cleans over 1500 instances of illegal graffiti each year) and very few of them have been retagged since the mural was installed.

Today’s dedication included seven new murals (their locations are listed below), created with the assistance of DCCAH and The Midnight Forum, an after school arts program. Local artists are selected for each site, who lead a group of kids in learning art techniques, designing the mural, and finally working together to create it. We were standing next to Cultivating the Rebirth by the Latin American Youth Center’s summer program with lead artist Joel Bergner, who told us the kids decided on a theme of youth working hard in the community to be a positive influence. And in a bit of self-fulfilling prophecy, Bergner said lots of other local kids would stop by during the painting asking if they could help, too. Other participating groups included Words Beats & Life and Albus Cavus, and each mural is inspired by the neighborhood in which it is located.