Regulation can foster creativity

The graffiti marring the walls of Greenlaw and many other buildings on campus can’t really be called art. It does little to improve the buildings’ overall appearance, let alone add to the culture of the University.

But UNC could easily regulate defacement like this by creating a designated area for artists to create street art and higher forms of tagging.

Not only would this mean less vandalism of public places, but it would also add some color to the University itself.

By adding an area for public art, like North Carolina State University’s Free Expression Tunnel, artists would be given an opportunity to create freely.

Those who used to quickly spray paint a symbol or sign would be allowed time to create a higher-quality image that audiences around campus could enjoy.

This would foster a sense of creativity that is lacking in much of the graffiti found on campus.

Even if this area did not create UNC’s own Banksy or Shepard Fairey, it would at least provide regulation.

Instead of being confronted with wanton defacement, students, faculty and visitors would find art.

This is not a novel idea. With its Free Expression Tunnel, N.C. State has proven it’s possible. And there are many other examples.

The Portsmouth Museum of Art in Portsmouth, N.H., started an exhibit that now extends out into the community.

Here in Chapel Hill, the Yates Motor Company building displays art and works to preserve the public murals around town with their Painted Walls initiative.

This investment has clearly improved the culture of our town.

To create its own public art display, the University need not look far.

Carolina Creates is currently preparing The Grand Show, a public exhibit at University Square that will display community and student artists on April 20.

If UNC decided to implement this display permanently at a location on campus, we would have our very own public art’s display.

From Portsmouth, N.H, to N.C. State, to Franklin Street, communities that have embraced public art have seen their cultural communities benefit.

These benefits could easily be seen on this campus. They just need a place to call home.