Graffiti as urban art in Katanning

The Katanning Primary School community embraced graffiti last week.

It is not the kind found scrawled on a desk or on the side of a bus, but rather a colourful mural that displays the top 10 virtues encouraged in students at the school.

Art teacher Angela Ohlsen said it is a positive way to give students ownership over part of the school.

“It might seem odd that we are encouraging this sort of thing, but it is a legitimate art form,” she said.

“If we promote positive outlets for expression in the kids, they are less likely to engage in antisocial behaviour and deface public property.”

The project was guided by Mrs Ohlsen and visiting street artist George Domahidy, who has led community projects like this since 2010.

The Rotary Club of Katanning donated $600 to purchase materials for the project and a spokesperson said Rotary saw parallels between the values being promoted at the school and their four-way test.

The test is a method of thinking of others in actions taken, words spoken and ideas thought with the intention of building a stronger community.

“The kids really enjoyed it and it’s something that the school community can appreciate for years to come,” Mrs Ohlsen said.