Ashland Kentucky has really stepped up the game when it comes to incorporating art in our every day lives. At one point “graffiti” was taboo and looked down upon, but in today’s times, we have embraced it as something beautiful and relatable to many. Over last several years, Ashland’s motto has been “Create With Us!” We have printed that right on the sign as you travel from Ohio to Kentucky over our colorful bridges. There is no better place to experience creative inspiration than Art Alley in downtown Ashland, KY.
There are so many talented people in our area and it’s nice to see their talent displayed in alleyways, on buildings, in malls, where people can interact and appreciate their efforts. In today's world everything is a photo opportunity. To be able to go and interact with a backdrop, drop a hashtag, and location, we are able to spread this art not only with those in our area, but people around the world.
Camp Landing Artsy Fartsy Walk has an entire hallway dedicated to photo opportunities. Teens and young adults especially appreciate this kind of interaction and are the ones who will post and hash tag to bring more people to our area to utilize the efforts of these artists. Within a few feet you are able to create unique photos, with gorgeous backdrops, for free. In bigger cities, to be able to have these kinds of displays to pose in front of, it would cost a pretty penny for limited time, and we are able to provide this experience at no cost.
I think it’s wonderful how art can get people off their couch, out of their home, and in our city to explore the abundance of raw talent we have among us. It’s exciting that we have a new age of people who appreciate the expression this type of graffiti supplies. In another time it was looked at as vandalism, and now it can be appreciated for what it is: Art.
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| Various artistic murals found in Art Alley in downtown Ashland, KY | Various murals located at the Artsy Fartsy walk at Camp Landing |