Muralist of Vandergrift, Alex Chaffins, keeps making positive visions
Share this post:
Alex Chaffins of Vandergrift knows how to charm and disarm.
With art.
Chaffins, the unofficial muralist of Vandergrift, is known for his large colorful artwork depicting positive messages.
The self-taught artist’s most recent mural is an underwater scene featuring a mermaid. It’s painted on his garage at home.
Last year, Chaffins was tasked with figuring out a creative solution to a profanity-laced mural that appeared on the back of The Center on Franklin.
Chaffins, 34, was commissioned by owner Chloe Kruse to paint over the markings, which consisted of more than 20 racist markings.
“I saw the opportunity to combat the hate and use art as my weapon,” Chaffins said. “I painted a ‘See-no-evil, speak-no-evil and hear-no-evil’ theme to cover up what was swastikas and racial slurs.”
On a recent visit to that mural, Chaffins noticed fresh graffiti painted high above his work.
“I’ll cover that up,” he said, noting he doesn’t know who keeps leaving graffiti, which is illegal , in certain locations in the borough.
“I would like to show them how to make money with this — not do illegal stuff, but show them how to do legal murals,” Chaffins said.
Kruse said she’s supportive of Chaffins and his mural mission.
“Alex is a like-minded local artist I like supporting. He has murals all over town,” Kruse said.
Other murals in Vandergrift include a pet-themed mural located inside the local nonprofit Tiny Cause’s building and a beach mural on Jefferson Avenue.
During the pandemic, Chaffins painted a covid-themed mural titled “Wash Your Hands,” encouraging folks to practice good hygiene.
Vandergrift police Chief Joe Caporali said he doesn’t know Chaffins, but has noticed his artwork around the borough.
“His art is covering up existing graffiti, covering up eyesores and beautifying buildings,” Caporali said.
Chaffins’ most recent mural, completed last week, is located indoors at the Redstone Highlands senior living facility in Greensburg.
Chaffins said he’s loved art since he was 5.
“I wanted to be a cartoonist, but I didn’t know how to actually make it a career,” he said. “I’m still a starving artist and I live the term to the fullest.”
His murals are typically priced at $10 per square foot, plus the cost of supplies.
Chaffins said he always provides a discount to nonprofits.
He says he’ll paint any size mural.
“I think large artwork is more powerful,” Chaffins said. “You might stumble on it (art), and that is why I do it.”
Chaffins works out of his childhood home, where he has a music and art studio.
He owns ARTifacts Creations, a visual arts marketing company.
A Kiski Area High School alumnus, Chaffins studied at the former Art Institute of Pittsburgh for a semester. He left town to live and work in Texas, Maryland and Florida, and then returned to Vandergrift.
Chaffins wears a T-shirt emblazoned with “Product of the Grift,” in reference to his hometown of Vandergrift. “I do love the Grift,” he said.
His message to anyone creating illegal graffiti in the borough?
“Love is stronger than hate,” Chaffins said. “Always.”