Room for Public Art in Louisville?

"Two years ago, graphic designer Jeral Tidwell was elated with the city's decision to establish a wall where graffiti art could be practiced legally. After traveling across Europe - where legal walls are widespread - he was a voluble cheerleader who helped convince the Mayor's Committee on Public Art that if Louisville was going to talk the talk about being a city open to new ideas, it should also walk the walk."

"Located on Market Street at the I-65 underpass between Hancock and Jackson streets, the Experimental Urban Art Project had a premium locale next to the burgeoning hub of art galleries that make up the bulk of the East Market Street arts district. The rules were rather simple: No racial epithets. No curse words. Respect your fellow artists' work and leave it up for a decent amount of time."

"Eventually, the beautiful and intricate urban murals were infected with obscenities."

"The city eventually decommissioned the wall in April 2007, quietly dispatching workers to paint it a solid off-white one afternoon."

"The likelihood of the city sponsoring another legal wall is slim."