WALL THERAPY

WALL THERAPY WALL\THERAPY is a public community-level intervention using mural art as a vehicle to address our col

WALL\THERAPY is the name for this year’s mural project and beyond. This will also be the name for the mural projects that will accompany our philanthropic diagnostic imaging sites in the developing world. Essentially, what we are doing is a community-level intervention in the form of mural art in the public space. The walls are our vehicle for inspiring and rehabilitating our community. We are int

ervening visually to address a fundamental collective need of our citizenry, the need for inspiration. In addition and quite literally, the walls on which our “therapists” will paint are being resurfaced and rehabilitated…given new life and energy. Our inaugural project which took place during July 2011 was entitled “Visual Intervention.” Therefore, this year’s project will officially be known as “WALL\THERAPY…the second movement of Visual Intervention”

05/26/2026
03/12/2026

Deadline Approaching! 📌🗓️‼️

Submission deadline = March 15 at 5pm

We welcome visual artists of all genres, whose work connects visitors to the location, engages the community or history of the neighborhood, challenges viewers and passersby, or addresses important social and political issues.

For more information about the program, eligibility, timeline, and dimensions/file types pls visit: rochestercontemporary.org/read

03/12/2026

We’re really proud of the work WALL THERAPY did with New York State Council on the Arts last Fall in partnership with the City of Rochester and our talented alum / artist Sarah C. Rutherford, Justin Suarez and Fran Diaz with support from Roc Paint Division.

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

12/17/2025

It's the end

12/17/2025
12/16/2025

CHARM, aimed at bringing art to underutilized public spaces, supported local murals in Albany, Gloversville and more.

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36 King Street
Rochester, NY
14608

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5852378258

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