Street up on the Walls

For the most part, graffiti goes unappreciated. Full-color murals and elaborate, multi-artist pieces receive little or no attention from the public, with the notable exception of the police. Graffiti artists are downgraded to vandals, and their works are scrubbed or sandblasted away. But not at the Regional Arts Commission (6128 Delmar Boulevard; 314-863-5811 or www.art-stl.com): Screwed In, a group show curated by Justin Tolentino and Bryan Walsh (the latter's work is pictured), celebrates controversial street art by exhibiting the individual work of seven graffiti artists (Stan Chisholm, Chris Burch, David Langley, Chris Sabatino and Peat Wolleager, in addition to Walsh and Tolentino themselves), along with a piece created jointly by all the participants. The show allows viewers to appreciate seven different approaches to graffiti without having to climb an abandoned building or stop on the highway to admire an overpass mural. Screwed In opens with a free public reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 11, and remains up through Sunday, August 17.
July 11-Aug. 17, 2008