'Find a different canvas,' judge tells graffiti artist

A man Charlottetown police consider one of the city's most prolific graffiti artists pleaded guilty Monday to 37 charges of damage to property.

Daniel Arsenault, 21, admitted he spray-painted graffiti on properties around Charlottetown. Arsenault used the tag Nova on mailboxes, walls and businesses all over the city from 2006 until his arrest in May 2009.

Provincial court Judge John Douglas gave Arsenault a suspended sentence, one year's probation and ordered him to pay restitution of $2,500. The sentence was the joint recommendation of the defence and the Crown.

"You'll have to find a different canvas for your art work," said Douglas.

The judge made it a condition of Arsenault's probation that he get the word out to the graffiti community about what happened to him, and that there are serious consequences for spray-painting other people's property. He also ordered Arsenault to make reasonable efforts to obtain full-time employment or further his education.

"Mr. Arsenault may have been somewhat naive, overzealous and a little cocky," said Crown attorney John McMillan.

"Once he was arrested and charged, it was a real eye-opening experience for him."

The $2,500 will go to Downtown Charlottetown Inc.'s graffiti removal program. Charlottetown businesses can apply to the fund for help removing graffiti, which can cost up to $700 per incident.