Final Draft.

                                    Final Draft of: The Graffiti Mural                 Maria Guzman               

           Graffiti is seen everywhere around the school in desks, walls, and bathroom stalls, and it is hardly ever thought of as an art form. Graffiti can be a great way of self expression, and if done in appropriate places with permission it can be a true work of art. It requires skill, hard work, and patience. By making a graffiti themed mural what many people fail to see will be brought out.            

          If one walks around in the school it is very likely that one will notice a piece of graffiti. Of course this type of graffiti is considered vandalism. This is where the idea of a graffiti themed student mural comes in. This mural would combine the school spirit that Miami Beach Senior High has, with the amazing talent the students possess by allowing them to graffiti an encouraging message on the wall, such as “Go Hi-Tides!”             

        “A student mural can be a great thing. You have to be careful because there’s a line between graffiti and vandalism”, said Dr. Sidener,the new principal, “A planned mural that has artwork is not vandalism it can be something that is very good for the school but you have to be careful that you don’t – the kids don’t misunderstand where the line is between a planned mural and individuals going out and putting their tags around the school.”            

            It seemed that the teachers shared this opinion “Graffiti is a form of self expression but to put it on a public building without people’s permission is really not fair. It can be kind of ugly or it can deface a public building or school.” Said Mr. Simon, a History teacher.           

          Even though graffiti is mostly viewed in a negative light some students don’t think its all vandalism. Nina Montoya, a freshman, said,” I consider it more of an art but if its profanity then yeah.” But not all students thought that a graffiti themed mural is good. Ryan Quinones, a freshman, said “It is actually a creative idea but it wouldn’t help support the school’s image”.           

         Graffiti artwork is skill that takes “Forever!” to learn, according to a graffiti artist on campus. The fact that people vandalize with it shouldn’t make it completely a bad thing. A mural would make things seem more beautiful and show that art comes in more than one form. This mural would be a win/win situation.