Art in public space has existed for centuries, both sanctioned and unsanctioned. Monuments, murals and statuaries are perhaps the oldest examples and have been used to brighten cities and celebrate important historical figures, but also help to bring art to the masses. These works are often commissioned by the government or corporation responsible for the public space or property where the work will exist. Large walls and spaces afford artists the opportunity to create works that would be too large to be displayed indoors in traditional gallery and museum settings.

A growing movement in the public art world is street art, or what some consider neo-graffiti. Sometimes sanctioned, but more often put up quickly and without permission, street art encompasses traditional aerosol works, stencil art, stickers, wheat pasting, LED lights, sculptural installation and even knitting. Street art often brings clever and subversive messages to the public; attempting to illicit a smile or poignant thought. Artists work to reclaim public space from the glut of advertising by repurposing or completely covering billboards, or other advertising spaces with images that can simply be appreciated as art.

As with most art genres, what is at first rebuked is eventually embraced. Previously thought by many to be simple vandalism, street art has found a place in galleries and museums throughout the world. Advertisers, once the target of graffiti artists, are now commissioning works by these same artists to sell products.

One of the great benefits of working directly in the streets, often on abandoned or dilapidated structures, is the opportunity for everyone to interact with works of art in their daily routine. This personal interaction differs from in the traditional gallery setting, where one can feel separated from the work by walls, glass or guards. In that same "art for everyone" vein, many organizations and artists are working with local communities to turn neighborhood eyesores and empty lots into spaces for beautiful murals, sculptural works and community gardens.

Read about Albus Cavus, an organization working to promote public art on both coasts (and abroad) by clicking here.

See a tutorial on cutting and spraying stencils here.