LOOK: Billings’ Awesome Graffiti Alleys Are Free Urban Fun
I'll start by saying in no way do I condone illegal tagging or vandalism. Graffiti to unsuspecting houses and businesses is a very real problem in just about every neighborhood in Billings. Waking up to see your fence or wall tagged with ugly, wanna' be gang banger writing can be infuriating.
The City of Billings defines graffiti as,
Graffiti means any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, painting, or other defacement on any surface of public or private property that was not authorized in advance by the owner. Authorized graffiti may also be deemed a nuisance by the City Council.
Ace Hardware, Billings Hardware, Columbia Paint, and Home Depot all carry products that are effective at removing spray paint and the city can help you with discounts of up to 15% off the paint remover products. Details HERE.
Awesome photo backdrops downtown.
Illegal graffiti is considered blight by most people, but there are a handful of "authorized" graffiti alleys in downtown Billings, where artists are permitted to be as creative as they'd like and I love them. We recently had to get senior pics for my kid, and one of our stops was at the alley behind the former Pug Mahon's restaurant off 1st Ave N. Here are some of the cool images we found.
The All-Seeing Eye.
Skulls and Faces.
Goofy Ghost.
Window Pain.
Knockoff, or Bansky?
Angry Kitty.
Professional Alley Art.
There are a number of newly commissioned, large murals downtown, including the mighty bison face on the side of Jake's Downtown. You can't miss it if you're heading south on 27th St. We recently caught up with the artist, Rillie Tame. Read the story HERE.