Real American graffiti

The headline could have read, “Graffiti artists hit Harley-Davidson shop,” but in reality, Black Hills H-D owner Al Rieman invited a group of Rapid City, South Dakota, graffiti artists to tag the lower level of his Rapid City dealership. In March, Rieman approached Pepper Massey, interim director of the Rapid City Arts Council, with the idea of decorating his shop with art. He wanted it to look something like Art Alley, an alley in downtown Rapid City where local graffiti artists tagged building walls, lamp posts, pipes and other elements of the urban landscape.

Mary Maxon, curator of the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, approached the FAW Crew, as the group of graffiti artists is known, to find if they were interested. The artists agreed to work on Rieman’s proposed project because, as FAW Crew spokesman Siamese said in a news interview, “We were pleased to work on a project like this for a company like Harley-Davidson. They are a true icon of the American dream. When forward-thinking businesses provide opportunities like this, they are supporting their local arts community and that’s a very honorable thing.”

When the FAW crew completed the project, they requested that Rieman give their commission check to Working Against Violence Inc., a Rapid City group that assists women and children in crisis situations by providing temporary shelter, food and supportive services, and educates the community on the issues of domestic violence. So Rieman, along with the FAW Crew, presented a check for $2,000 to WAVI. By way of this donation, the FAW Crew hoped to dispel preconceived notions that graffiti artists are vandals or thugs and to inspire people to find ways to use their skills and passions to benefit their communities.

While you’re in Rapid City for the Sturgis rally, or any other time, check out the artwork at Black Hills Harley-Davidson located just off I-90 Exit 55.