Teen caught graffitiing finds unexpected support from Sioux Falls mayor

Jaden Brunz, an 18-year-old artist from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has always had a simple goal: To make people smile through his art. His passion for graffiti led him to take a risky step by painting a bike path tunnel in his hometown. Jaden’s parents, Micah and Becky Brunz, were aware and warned him about the legal repercussions.  “He told us he was doing graffiti art around town, and we let him know that’s illegal,” Becky said. “If you get caught, you’re gonna have to pay for this.” Jaden Brunz’s love for graffiti recently led him to take a bold risk by painting a bike path tunnel in his hometown. Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken Facing the challenge of supporting his artistic talent without endorsing vandalism, they got a helping hand from an unlikely ally: Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, who is also a graphic artist. TenHaken received a video of Jaden’s graffiti from a city worker.  “As an art guy who appreciates art, I was like, ‘Dude, this is really good graffiti,’ and as a mayor, I’m probably supposed to be mad about that. But I was just impressed,” TenHaken said. Mayor Paul TenHaken is working to designate a...