Walked the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall today–the so-called East Side Gallery that runs along the Spree River–and was amazed to see how the city has allowed an urban eyesore to be transformed into a 1,300-metre edgy art walk.

As I mentioned last week, my hometown of Bowen Island, BC is wrestling with the question of whether and how it should tart itself up for the tourists. I think our tatty little Snug Cove is well past due for a makeover: it’s gone way past funky to straight-out ugly.

A little community-based house-pride makes the locals stand a little taller whether or not there are any tourists around. But since there are lots of tourists around anyway, let’s give them an eyeful of something other than tagged concrete when they walk off the ferry–something that reflects our own unique island history, perhaps.

From what I can glean from the Germans, it’s as simple as if you build it they will come: put out the concrete canvas, invite artists to share their best work, stand back and marvel. Then cover it all over with paint every few years and start all over again. Don’t try to over-manage it. Don’t try to control every aspect. Don’t make it expensive. Trust your artists and get out of the way.

C’mon Bowen: just do it.

Do you know of other Canadian communities that have successful grassroots-level street-art projects? Please let me know about them!