Opinions: From the Editor

I consider myself a good law-abiding citizen, but when a city ordinance exists that puts two East Austin artists in jail for painting flowers on a wall normally covered in graffiti, I have to question the efficaciousness of the law.

For the past three months, Angel Quesada has been working on beautifying the concrete embankment at 2828 Lyons Street in East Austin fifteen minutes at a time. When asked why he created this mural, Quesada said that he was tired of seeing the graffiti and wanted to see something pretty. Although he has painted quite a garden, it was only halfway complete by the time the police arrested him and his friend Lannea Brooks on October 24th.

According to Austin Police Department Detective Kevin Bartles, “The difference between art and graffiti is one word: permission.” So, basically, since Angel Quesada and Lannea Brooks did not have a permit to paint on public property, they are considered criminals.
While I agree that these rogue artists should have gone through the proper channels, I think that some leniency should be shown towards them. The punishment does not fit the crime in this instance. Their intention to make an image that the neighborhood can enjoy was pure, yet they were initially charged with a felony offence and Quesada’s vehicle and Brooks’ bicycle were impounded.

Quesada spent 18 hours in jail, while Brooks had to spend four days before posting the $2,500 bond. With the help of city council member and Mayor ProTem Mike Martinez’s office, the charge has since been reduced to a “Class C” misdemeanor. Brooks and Quesada now face up to six months in jail plus a $2,000 fine.

Angel Quesada, an accomplished artist who has painted murals in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, has served the Austin Hispanic and art communities as an educator for the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Mexican American Cultural Center and a resident artist at the Mexic-Arte Museum. He is currently the house curator for the Eastside Showroom.

Quesada has learned that you never know your audience. While his intent was to have a positive impact on the community, it was actually a neighbor who had called the police on him.

He admitted that he took a risk by creating this feral mural, but it was worth it. Quesada wants to see the permit process changed to make it easier for artists to create public art; therefore making art more accessible to all Austinites.
He is thankful for the amazing community support he has received. He has started an online petition[1] asking the Travis County Attorney Office to drop all charges, which has over 500 signatures.

Quesada has been working with Art in Public Places, a city program focused on enhancing public spaces with works of art, to apply for a permit so that he can finish the mural and donate it to the city of Austin.

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