It may not have the reputation of New York City or Philadelphia, but the State College art scene is fairly extensive.

The problem is, only a small number of people appreciate all the Valley has to offer in terms of artistic expression.

That's why the newly proposed idea to allow a legal graffiti space suggested by local graffiti artist and business owner Simon Hawk has a lot of merit behind it.

Hawk, who was recently arrested for eight misdemeanor charges of graffiti, told the State College Borough Council that a legal space would allow artists to display art without defacing private or public property.

Hawk's proposal has received mixed reactions from the council, which has been discussing a new graffiti ordinance that would require property owners to remove graffiti within 14 days of being reported to the borough or face a fine.

The idea of a legal space for graffiti is long overdue, and it is important to advocate an artistically friendly environment. Many students attend Penn State for the art program and the town should encourage the free expression of alternative art. While there are many locations in other cities that provide avenues for expression, State College has relatively few sites.

A legal space could help decrease the number of illegal graffiti incidents that have risen in the past few months. Though many of these acts are likely done by taggers who have no interest in art and more of an interest in defacing public property, Hawk said he is interested in the artistic aspect of graffiti.

Having a space downtown would be the ideal solution, and Penn State could also offer an area on campus for students and local artists to use. For a school that advocates the importance of art, it would be an expression of good faith to open a site that could be fully accessed by student artists. Opponents of the plan may say it would be difficult to regulate the space because anyone could have access and add whatever he or she chooses to the wall. However, unlike other art, graffiti could easily be whitewashed over to do away with tasteless art.

The borough should grant a trial period for the site. If the space is not used properly or is abused, it takes few resources to paint over the site and do away with the space. In addition, a legal space costs no money to the borough. A business or property owner simply has to approve the use of their property and the artists use their own supplies. Give art a chance to be showcased year-round in State College, not just for one humid week in July.