Rotterdam opens first legal practice wall for streetart

On the side of Padelclub Feijenoord, on the site of the Rotterdam Tij area development in Stadionpark, the city's first legal art practice wall has now been officially opened. The Open Art Wall is a wall of 150 linear metres, where artists, students and lovers of street art can work on their art freely and legally. A unique facility for the city, this wall provides space for creativity, talent development and community spirit.

Within the marked zone, anyone may work between sunrise and sunset, respecting each other's work, the neighbourhood and the surroundings. The wall will be available until the start of construction in the area and, in the meantime, provide a colourful stage for talent.

The Open Art Wall is an initiative of Rotterdam municipality, Rotterdams Tij and ALL CAPS, the Rotterdam organisation promoting street art as a fully-fledged art form. Maureen Mollis, head of the Culture Department at Rotterdam municipality: ''The Open Art Wall offers both up-and-coming talents and established artists the chance to develop and show their art form - in all openness, and not in hidden or illegal places."

As manager, ALL CAPS will organise workshops, community projects and events connecting artists and residents on and around the wall. In this way, the wall should grow into more than just a physical place: a living symbol of the creative energy of Rotterdam-South. ''There are several places in the Netherlands where graffiti is allowed, but with the Open Art Wall we are focusing on all art forms in the outdoor space,'' says Katherina Doxiadis of ALL CAPS. ''Street art is more than graffiti. Having a large, open space means that artists can practice art on a large scale. We are also very proud of the role we will fill as an advisor for CBK Rotterdam. From now on, questions concerning street art in the city will be coordinated with us. That way we can mean even more for street art in Rotterdam."