New Paltz Graffiti Artists Strike Again Over American Flag Sculpture

Patrons of the Water Street Market in New Paltz were greeted with some passionate graffiti this morning as they arrived for shopping and coffee. This is just the latest to show up around town on various buildings and businesses.

Water Street Market is located in the Village of New Paltz near the Wallkill River. It is not the first time someone has used the market as their canvas for this type of expression. but it is the first time someone felt the need to paint over the American Flag sculpture that has hung on the property for close to 20 years.

Graffiti Art a Problem in New Paltz, New York

Graffiti is not new to New Paltz and its businesses. As you roll down through town you can often see what is called a "tag" or other forms of graffiti art on the side of a building or even a street corner. I am referring to the famous S.Butt Corners Sign.

I haven't seen it but is my understanding that the New Paltz police department actually has a file of local graffiti photos. Obviously, they take them to track taggers but they also keep the photos because it is a record of the damage the graffiti may have caused as in the case of this sculpture.

America Flag Sculpture Defaced with Graffiti in New Paltz, New York

There is no doubt that what is unfolding in the Middle East right now is horrifying. New Paltz is known for being a town where people can feel free to speak their minds on just about anything. Unfortunately, this is an example of a poor way to express yourself that will just add unneeded costs to a local business owner and destroy a piece of art.

I am not sure how putting blue paint all over this piece of art is going to result in anything good. I seriously doubt that it is water-soluble paint therefore removing it will most likely result in further damage to the sculpture causing the artist to either try to fix it or remove it.

According to what I have found online the cost of graffiti repair costs millions each year in the United States and SmallBusinees.Chron.com says repairing damage from graffiti averages around $3300 per incident.

Graffiti has been a form of expression and street art dating back to ancient times according to the research I found.  Even the World Famous Banksy has been called into question at times and most businesses would never dream of removing his works in this day and age.

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