Is Graffiti Always Vandalism or Can it Be Art?

A black and white ballerina made an appearance under the E. Campbell Avenue bridge near Campbell Park, facing east.

Campbell Patch reader and blogger David Steele shared this image with us over the weekend and for us, begged the question: is all graffiti vandalism or are there some forms that are public art?

How does this ballerina, although pretty to look at differ from, say, the various incarnations of Felix the Cat? Or does it? That individual, Robert Saddik, racked up $30,000 in damages for various South Bay cities and was arrested in June by the San Jose Police Department.

On the flip side, museums like this one in Miami, Florida dedicate entire exhibits to showcase graffiti created by, in this case British graffiti artist Banksy.

You tell us, Campbell. Is there ever a time that graffiti is no longer vandalism but public art? Or is vandalism just that?