10Best: Cities to see street art

Featured on usatoday.com

Once dismissed as vandalism, street art is finding new legitimacy, with pieces attracting huge prices at auction. Many cities have designated areas for murals, and offer tours. “It’s real art, majestic colorful works that require a lot of technique,” saysSebastien Laboureau, a Miami-based street art consultant (moonstar.fr). He shares some top places to see the art with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Miami

The Wynwood Art District has become one of the world’s hot spots for murals and wall paintings, featuring works by prominent artists, many who visit during the Miami’s annual Art Basel festival. “It’s an intense concentration. I go to Wynwood every week, and every week I find something new,” Laboureau says. “There’s not a single person who doesn’t smile when they enter the area.” 305-814-9290; wynwoodartwalk.com

Los Angeles

The Southern California metropolis plays a huge role in the street art world. In 2011, its Museum of Contemporary Art hosted a controversial exhibit on the topic, helping legitimize the genre. The city’s arts district on the edge of downtown is particularly rich with offerings.  “It's got an amazing concentration of open walls and pieces from some of the most famous street artists in the world,” Laboureau says.discoverlosangeles.com

New York

Street art found an audience in New York in the late 1970s and '80s, first in the Bronx and then across the boroughs. Works from pioneers like the late Keith Haring now adorn books, posters and shirts around the globe. “He was the father of street art. Everybody thought he was crazy, but he was a nice guy, very clear that he wanted to share his art with everybody,” Laboureau says. Companies like Grafftours.com now introduce visitors to new prodigies in Brooklyn and Manhattan. NYCgo.com

Philadelphia

Philly began promoting its street art in the 1970s, and now boasts a dynamic Mural Arts Program. The effort, which started as anti-graffiti initiative, now boasts more than 3,000 murals around the city. One series, “A Love Letter for You” by artist Steve Powers includes 50 rooftop paintings. "When you think it’s the city of our founders, I find it spectacular,” Laboureau says. Tours are offered on foot, trolley, train and Segway. 215-685-0750; muralarts.org

Click here to read the full article.