Max Gonzales (right) demonstrates aerosol techniques to students interested in the art of graffiti writing. // Photo by Patrick Fisher
A year before I moved to Pittsburgh to lead the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, I met Max Gonzales. At the time, Pittsburgh wasn’t even on my radar as my next place to live and work. Max and I bonded quickly over our shared love of street art and our roots in the punk and hardcore music scenes, both of which had profoundly shaped our lives.
Max exemplifies the transformative power of community investment. They are the kind of person every neighborhood needs: someone who pours their energy into uplifting others. In just a decade, Max has gone from being one of Pittsburgh’s "Most Wanted" to one of its most beloved figures, thanks to their commitment to lead community projects, mentoring others, and advocating for artists.
In a recent article for PublicSource, Max sheds light on the often misunderstood world of graffiti and the financial burdens criminalized artists face. They detail how legal fees, restitution costs, and fines can trap graffiti artists in cycles of debt. For gig workers and artists earning less than a living wage, these penalties can mean years—even decades—of repayment. Many are forced to abandon their creative pursuits altogether or seek work that doesn’t align with their artistic aspirations.
Restitution for graffiti charges can escalate into a mountain of debt. Repeat offenses can lead to incarceration, higher fines, and cleanup costs. When combined with legal fees, this debt can easily reach five or six figures. But what if communities viewed graffiti as a form of cultural expression rather than criminal activity?
Dr. Caitlin Frances Bruce, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, is a leading voice on this topic. In her 2019 book, Painting Publics: Transnational Legal Graffiti Scenes as Spaces for Encounter, Dr. Bruce explores how legal graffiti scenes provide opportunities for artists to engage with public spaces, institutions, and commercial entities. Her research highlights graffiti’s potential to foster democratic urban spaces built on personal relationships, underused areas, and community resources. Her 2024 book, Voices in Aerosol: Youth Culture, Institutional Attunement, and Graffiti in Urban Mexico, examines how the city of León, Mexico evolved from stigmatizing graffiti as a nuisance to sponsoring artistic graffiti through municipal programs.
Dr. Caitlin Frances Bruce, associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh // Photo by @aslyfilm, 2024
Pittsburgh has made significant strides in dismantling negative perceptions about graffiti and street art by creating platforms and spaces that celebrate these art forms. Advancements can be attributed to groups like Hemispheric Conversations: Urban Art Project (HCUAP), which fosters conversation and education about urban art production, including graffiti, street art, and muralism. In collaboration with other community partners, HCUAP presents graffiti-centered projects, programming, and education. Max and Dr. Bruce, both members of HCUAP, exemplify the organization’s commitment to advocating for graffiti as a legitimate and celebrated cultural expression.
One practical step toward decriminalizing and supporting graffiti in Pittsburgh is the creation of designated legal spaces. For instance, Clement Way Graffiti Alley, a free legal wall in Bloomfield founded in 2020 by Pittsburgh Artist Autonomy Collective (PAAC) in partnership with Trace Brewing, provides a venue where graffiti artists can paint without fear of prosecution. Initiatives like this support third spaces in becoming hubs of creativity and community engagement. Similarly, the Spirit Walls project showcases work from diverse intersections of Pittsburgh’s street art community. This platform emphasizes skill and knowledge sharing, encouraging collaboration and mentorship among artists while enhancing public appreciation of graffiti as an art form.
We are committed to advocating for artists of all disciplines, including those in graffiti and street art. When communities invest in their artists, those artists invest back into their communities.
Globally, cities have embraced graffiti as part of their cultural identities, transforming it from vandalism to celebrated art. In Berlin, the East Side Gallery—a preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall adorned with graffiti art—attracts over 3 million visitors annually, generating significant revenue for local businesses. Melbourne’s Hosier Lane and Bogotá’s graffiti tours similarly highlight how integrating graffiti into cultural tourism can benefit artists and communities alike.
Pittsburgh has the opportunity to follow suit. By decriminalizing graffiti, creating legal spaces for its expression, and supporting artists with resources, the city could become a hub for creative innovation while addressing systemic inequities that artists like Max have worked to overcome.
At the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, we are committed to advocating for artists of all disciplines, including those in graffiti and street art. Max’s story reminds us of the importance of championing these artists—not only for their contributions to our cultural fabric but also for their economic potential. When communities invest in their artists, those artists invest back into their communities.
Here are 10 actionable ways to support graffiti artists and other creatives who are often unsung heroes within their neighborhoods. For many of these recommendations, HCUAP can be a valuable partner or co-presenter:
Promote Public Education on Graffiti as Art Host community events, exhibitions, and lectures to challenge stereotypes, honor pioneering graffiti writers, highlight the cultural significance of graffiti, and equitably preserve the artform’s history.
Engage Youth Through Graffiti Workshops Partner with schools and community organizations to introduce young people to the artistic and cultural elements of graffiti, fostering creativity and reducing stigmatization.
Support Professional Development Provide workshops on topics like managing public art projects, curating exhibitions, and finding commissions. Facilitate networking opportunities to connect artists with businesses and institutions.
Fund Graffiti and Street Art Projects Offer grants for murals, installations, and community events. Prioritize underserved areas to foster local pride and strengthen connections through public art.
Create Legal Graffiti Spaces Designate public areas where artists can legally create graffiti. These spaces can reduce unauthorized tagging, attract tourism, and serve as cultural landmarks.
Develop Artist-in-Residence Programs Launch residencies for graffiti artists to create large-scale projects, collaborate with peers, and gain exposure, integrating their work into broader cultural discourse.
Incorporate Graffiti into Cultural Tourism Develop tours and events focused on graffiti and street art. Highlight murals and legal graffiti sites as integral parts of the city’s creative identity.
Recognize Graffiti Artists as Cultural Ambassadors Partner with graffiti artists for workshops, community projects, or international exchanges, showcasing their role in bridging cultural divides.
Advocate for Sentencing Reform Support legislative changes to address disproportionate penalties for graffiti artists. Advocate for restorative solutions that prioritize community engagement.
Establish Restitution Support Funds Create community funds to help artists manage restitution costs while offering mentorship and service opportunities to rebuild careers and community ties.
By reimagining how we view and support graffiti artists, Pittsburgh can unlock untapped cultural and economic opportunities. These artists are not just creators; they are visionaries who see potential where others see decay, and they bring life and vibrancy to our shared spaces. Supporting them is not just an investment in art—it’s an investment in the future of our communities, our city, and our collective identity.
Demystifying the Arts is an arts & culture column from Patrick Fisher, CEO at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. If you have a question or topic you'd like to see addressed in a future column, we'd love to hear from you! Email feedback and ideas to pfisher@pittsburghartscouncil.org.
