"Downtown" by Joeski

On March 24, Jeff Olson and the Dead Artists crew at Kulture Lab will debut original works by a group of nearly 20 graffiti artists â€" a term that middle America is still coming to terms with. Graffiti will come inside for this display, if for no other reason than to lend popular legitimacy to a genre that is traditionally defined as crime when it happens anywhere else.

"Most of these cats aren't out bombing walls anymore," says Olson. "But their work is amazing. I want people to come here against it and be totally blown away."

Most of the artists sharing works at Kulture Lab's "Penalty for Removal" show have long since abandoned bombing â€" or what the uninitiated might refer to as "creating art on other people's property without their permission."

But don't expect these artists to makes apologies for the origins of the art or its continuing condemnable manifestations.

"This is not any sort of apology," says Olson. "I just want people to know there is another side."

Graffiti's other side often is hard to see, say proponents, because it is defined in legal terms or spoken of exclusively within the context of property rights.

For the full story and details about Saturday's show, check it here. â€" Paul Schrag

"Mariposa" by Angel 179