The TAP (The Alley Project) Gallery led by artist Erik Howard was dedicated on July 4, 2011. TAP includes a garage that houses a studio, gallery space, two lots that provide a common art space for neighbors and artists, bike racks for youth traveling on two wheels, and a walking gallery along an alley that spans one city block with murals on garages and other surfaces. This space was created for youth and community members to create, show, and see street art in a way that is legal, safe and supports learning and relationships.
TAP Gallery’s mission is to be a place to facilitate and support creative expression, positive youth-adult partnerships, structure, and community responsibility. This project is important to the community because art is a powerful youth and community development tool and because a space that is safe and culturally and developmentally appropriate is an invaluable community asset. TAP Gallery, realizing these truths, has built in supports toward engagement, empowerment, and diversity so that each participating resident, youth, and artist is getting something and giving back to the community at the same time. We are excited about TAP Gallery’s beginning, because as artist Erik expressed,
This space supports inter-generational relationships, mentoring, safety, art, partnerships, expression, youth development, art competencies, structure, and most of all it inspires action.
You can find the TAP Gallery in the Southwest community in the alley between Avis and Falcon on the block between Woodmere & Elsmere.
