WALL THERAPY

10/16/2026

“Blossom” by Justin Suarez aka Justin Suarez in is our final mural of this cycle. This mural celebrates local plants and pollinators, featuring a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Swallowtail Butterfly, and Bumblebee, along with zinnia, purple coneflower, dahlia, and sunflowers. This mural is steps away from the Erie Canalway Trail, and visible from Main Street in Albion, NY, located at THE LOCKSTONE, an events space which draws in hundreds of visitors each week from the surrounding region.

We would like to give thanks to Natasha, the owner of THE LOCKSTONE, for welcoming us and providing such a phenomenal canvas.

This mural is made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative, with support from the Office of the Governor.

📍The Lockstone
160 N Main St, Albion, NY 14411

📸 Quajay

10/16/2026

It’s one of four new murals installed across the Rochester area with funding from a New York State Council on the Arts grant.

The Rochester Public Library’s Lyell Branch hosted local artists on Wednesday for the unveiling of a mural on the building’s western wall.

10/15/2026

The recently completed “Sanctuary” by artist Sarah C. Rutherford, located at DUTCH Creatives’ Collaborative in Rochester, NY.

Surrounded by electric pulses emanating from the figure, the mural portrays a person listening and getting lost in music. The visuals of monarch butterflies and a snake shedding its skin, speak to transformation and life cycles, while the hands on top of the headphones and the person’s gaze cast above and beyond the viewer speak to transcendence.

This mural is made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative, with support from the Office of the Governor.

📍 DUTCH Creatives’ Collaborative
769 E Main St Rochester, NY 14605

📸 Quajay

10/15/2026

We’re proud to be one of the partners bringing new art to communities across the state.

10/14/2026

As part of join us today, Wednesday, October 14th from 4-6pm at the Lyell Branch Library, 956 Lyell Avenue for a mural celebration, meet the artists and see this completed mural up close.

Designed by Francheska Diaz, alumni and lead staff for , alongside Roc Paint’s Youth Educator Callisto Daly with installation assistance from Roc Paint youth and alumni Sodaba Khalil, Myles Petsche, Marcus Austin, Lily Ni, McKensie Cutt, Fatima Rezaie, and Gennie Giles

This mural is made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative, with support from the Office of the Governor.

📸 Quajay Donnell

10/14/2026

Join us Wednesday, October 14th from 4-6pm at the Lyell Branch Library, 956 Lyell Avenue for a mural celebration, meet the artists and see this completed mural up close.

“Take Care” features five vignettes, two designed by Callisto Daly and three by Francheska Diaz at Lyell Branch Library. Callisto’s bookended vignettes feature two closeup images of children engaging with nature, shown through splashing in a puddle and catching ladybugs. Francheska’s three central vignettes feature snapshots of different familial and intergenerational relationships. 

The design is meant to be a reflection and celebration of the spirit that is exhibited by the Lyell-Otis community and library staff. Roc Paint Division youth and alumni artists assisted with the installation, making this not only a learning experience, but also more fun to paint as a team!

This mural is made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative, with support from the Office of the Governor.

📍Lyell Branch Library
956 Lyell Avenue
Rochester, NY 14606

📸 Quajay



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If you think this looks fun, Roc Paint Division is now hiring for Season 12! ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 16-19 years old, City of Rochester resident, Enrolled in high school and available to work Tuesdays + Thursdays 4-7:30pm (January - May 2027). For more details, link + info at Roc Paint Division. Apply by October 23rd.

10/12/2026

Happy New York State Mural Week!

“Starbright” a collaboration between Pamela Carvalho 𝕻𝖆𝖒𝖊𝖑𝖆 𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖑 𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖍𝖔 and Justin Suarez Justin Suarez at Rio Tomatlan in Canandaigua, NY

The calm gaze of the figure in the midst of the vibrant swirling stars around her is meant to evoke a feeling of mindfulness, serving as a reminder to find ways to care for ourselves despite the chaos of the world around us. The colors and feel of this piece are meant to speak universally to both community members and visitors alike, and specially designed to engage young people growing up in Canandaigua.

This mural is made possible by the NYSCA CHARM initiative with support from the Office of the Governor.

📍Rio Tomatlan
106 Bemis St, Canandaigua, NY 14424

📸: Quajay

02/17/2026

For Black History Month, we proudly honor Ian Wilson, the visionary founder of WALL\THERAPY, whose creativity and leadership have transformed the city of Rochester.

Dr. Wilson, a physician and community leader, launched WALL\THERAPY in 2011 with a bold idea: to use public art as a tool for healing, inspiration, and connection. What began as a grassroots mural project has grown into an internationally recognized public art movement, bringing world-class artists to Rochester while uplifting local talent and beautifying neighborhoods across our city.

Through vibrant murals that spark conversation and pride, Dr. Wilson has shown how art can serve as therapy for a community. His work continues to inspire residents and visitors alike, reminding us that creativity can build bridges and strengthen communities.

This Black History Month, we celebrate Ian Wilson’s vision, leadership, and lasting impact on Rochester. His legacy is painted on our walls and reflected in the pride of our people.

02/17/2026

ARTs + Change Featured Presenter: 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗦. 𝗟𝗲𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻
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Erich will be presenting "𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟\𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗬 - 𝗔 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺” on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟭 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟱𝗽𝗺
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Erich S. Lehman is a curator/creative/tech geek/workaholic who simply finds the world far too interesting to sit still for long. He has been an arts activist in Rochester, NY for over 17 years, primarily as curator/owner of 1975 Gallery (est. 2008) as well as serving as co-curator and lead organizer of the WALL\THERAPY mural intervention project since 2012, helping kickstart a resurgence and newfound appreciation of muralism in Rochester. Join Erich (Co-curator and Lead Organizer) as he discusses the story and lessons of WALL\THERAPY, an art and community-intervention project based in Rochester, NY that uses public murals as a means to transform the urban landscape, inspire, and build community. Learn about how a scrappy team of like-minded individuals banded together around a vision to give back to the community through art and muralism.
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Read more and see Erich and others at the ARTs (Activate. Reimagine. Transform.) + Change Virtual Conference, February 18 - 22, 2026!
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𝗧𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: tinyurl.com/2026-AC
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University of Rochester | University of Rochester Humanities Center | UR Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion | Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center