Michael Shipley (and his son Landon) and their video of an art wall in Portsmouth
A Chillicothe police officer presented an idea for a “street art” wall at the new skate park, and showed an example in Portsmouth, intended to reduce offensive graffiti. Michael Shipley (and his son Landon) showed Chillicothe Council photos and a video of the alley wall in Portsmouth dedicated to public art by anyone.
Shipley said he has been a police officer for 16 years and knows that people won’t always behave, but the project would be worth providing permission for that kind of creativity.
He suggested building it beside the relocated city skate park. Mayor Luke Feeney explained the preferred location for the $400K budget is the north edge of the volleyball sand courts, with the ACGP renovations of Yoctangee Park.
Shipley had a $9,300 estimate for a concrete block wall eight feet tall and 40 feet long, exposed for art on both sides. He said anyone could paint on it…but knowing that someone else might paint over that at any time. He also said that he would take on the task of keeping it clean and painting over any offensive graffiti.
Learn more from Shipley in his own words in the below video.
Council also heard about another public art project to fight offensive graffiti, on the recreational trail under Adena Road.
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
Shipley explains his idea to council, the Mayor explains planning for the rebuilt skate park, and they finally get Shipley’s video and photos to work.
Shipley at the retirement of his police dog in 2024, from the Chillicothe Police Department Facebook page.