How a shop in Boyle Heights embraced graffiti and created a haven for street artists

Before Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring’s artwork sold for millions, it was illegally spray-painted on city surfaces.  The transition from graffiti to gallery is a controversial one but three young men from Boyle Heights argue the fine line between the two is just spray can away.  “Three little kids that grew up here ended up making something pretty special for all of us,” said Turcios. Right in the heart of Southern California’s Latino community lies a one-of-a-kind store that’s embracing the art of graffiti.  “There was never really something like that in Boyle Heights, there was I think one going to South Central or downtown,” said Aliado. The business has earned quite a following, becoming a haven of sorts for the street art community.  “We sell, basically, anything you could do with art,” said Danny Diaz. “We have spray cans for canvases, murals … our sketchbooks, our black books, our markers.” For Andrew Salcedo, Diaz and Turcios, “Calle Sucia” is more than just an art shop. For the artists, it’s their crowning achievement.  The idea came to these friends while working on a memorial mural in honor of Turcio’s brother who lost his life in a tragic accident. The...