KarunaNews Story

AfterJaden Brunz, an 18-year-old artist from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, painted a bike path tunnel in his hometown, a city worker sent a video of his graffiti to Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken. The mayor, who is also a graphic artist, was impressed. When Jaden was ordered to pay about $700 in restitution, TenHaken offered him $800 for a commissioned artwork, which now hangs behind the mayor's desk. Jaden's talent "shouldn't be wasted under the cover of night in a dark bridge somewhere, or on the side of a train," the mayor said. He is now working to designate a public space in town where artists like Brunz can legally create graffiti art.