Almost a year ago there was quite a controversy about a mural that had been painted by the creative arts youth group, United Future. The mural, done in a graffiti style on the back of the building housing the Schooner and the Shanty, was ok'd by the owner but not by the all-powerful Design Review Committee. I believe that this mural, as with others in Eureka, would have gone practically unnoticed were it not for the loud complaints of a certain business person selling small bowls of soup for $4 from a box bought at the Co-op for $2.99.
This is what the alley behind the Shanty looked like then:
And this is what it looks like today:
I think the mismatched paint, urine-soaked furniture and piles of garbage are REALLY an improvement!
As an aside, I also find it interesting that two people were quoted in the Eureka Reporter at that time stating that they felt graffiti art was not appropriate for Old Town. This is what the alley directly across the street next to the Accident Gallery looks like today:
