10 November 2008
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
YMCA Supports Community Art
An unattractive car park wall frequently targeted by taggers and vandals is to receive a vibrant new look thanks to
street artist Gareth Steiner and a group of local artists.
The team of artists will paint the wall, on the exterior of the YMCA office building over the weekend of 15 & 16 November, changing it from an eyesore to a work of art.
Mr Steiner approached the YMCA with the suggestion of painting a street art mural on the wall as a solution to the
ongoing vandalism.
YMCA CEO, Amy Thaler, said that Mr Steiner’s suggestion was a great opportunity to do something to something positive
about the unsightly tagging on the wall.
“Every time we remove the tagging, it gets put back. It’s annoying and disrespectful of what we do for the community. We
hope that by having an exciting mural on the wall taggers will think twice before marking it.”
Mr Steiner has successfully completed two similar projects for the YMCA.
About Garreth Steiner
Garreth promotes community art and leads by example. Now 27 years old, Garreth paints the majority of the legal
community-art walls in Tauranga including the Te Munga wall on State Highway 2 which he manages.
Garreth has applied his talent to kids’ rooms, scenic backdrops, the Bin Inn and the Arataki Community Centre. He is
part of a hip hop crew called OBVIOUS ADICTION (OA) which is made up of street artists, writers, rappers and MCs. OA
strives to create a more positive image for the genre.
For more information about Garreth or OA email GarrethSteiner@gmail.com
About the YMCA
The YMCA is the largest provider of afterschool care and holiday programmes in the Western Bay of Plenty. The YMCA
Tauranga provides great opportunities for people of all ages to participate in education and recreational activities in
the Western Bay of Plenty.
The YMCA Tauranga embraces the National YMCA vision to build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.
It is an affiliate of The National Council of YMCA's of New Zealand, and the World Alliance of YMCAs.
More information is available at http://www.ymcatauranga.org.nz
ENDS