WALL THERAPY

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
•
Erich will be presenting "𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟\𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗬 - 𝗔 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺” on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟭 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟱𝗽𝗺
•
•
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.
•
Read more and see Erich and others at the ARTs (Activate. Reimagine. Transform.) + Change Virtual Conference, February 18 - 22, 2026!
•
𝗧𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: tinyurl.com/2026-AC
•

University of Rochester | University of Rochester Humanities Center | UR Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion | Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center

12/17/2025

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.

12/16/2025

12/12/2025

Taking a look back at the three mural projects we created this fall with Francheska Diaz, Sarah C. Rutherford, and Justin Suarez as we celebrate

We are proud to partner with the CHARM initiative and contribute to this statewide effort to enrich community spaces through mural art. It was an honor to create alongside so many artists across New York State.

Carter Street R-Center
500 Carter Street, Rochester NY
“Fly Away Home”
Artists: Sarah C. Rutherford & Justin Suarez aka Aerosol Kingdom ( + )
Assisted by 4 Roc Paint Division Alumni

Sully Branch Library
530 Webster Ave, Rochester NY
Artist: Francheska Diaz ()
Titled: “Sprouts”
Assisted by 9 Roc Paint Division Alumni

These murals were made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with support from the Office of the Governor, and are part of the Cultivating Havens for the Arts through Regional Murals (CHARM) program, through which Roc Paint Division in partnership with WALL\THERAPY were selected as 1 of 11 organizations across New York State to create large-scale murals.

12/10/2025

WEDNESDAY NIGHT!! Do not miss this rare opportunity to see this documentary and join our conversation with Know Hope Addam Yekutieli in person!

Screening starts at 6:30pm, and the talk will begin immediately after.

KNOW HOPE (The Abstract and the Very Real) - Screening + Artist Talk

RSVP here:

12/04/2025

Join for the Rochester premiere of KNOW HOPE (The Abstract and the Very Real) followed by a Q&A with the artist Addam Yekutieli () in attendance on Wednesday December 10, 2025 at 6pm at

Know Hope (Addam) joined WALL\THERAPY in the Fall of 2013 for a series of his interventions throughout the city. We are thrilled and honored to have him join us once again for the Rochester premiere of this documentary.

The event is free and open to the public, but due to limited seating, RSVPing for the free registration/tickets is highly recommended. (link also in bio)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/know-hope-the-abstract-and-the-very-real-screening-artist-talk-tickets-1975257469263

Visual Studies Workshop
36 King St
Rochester, NY 14608

- Doors open at 6pm.
- Screening starts promptly at 6:30pm.
- The Q&A will begin immediately after the screening.

+++

KNOW HOPE (The Abstract and the Very Real) is a film by Omer Shamir about art and resistance in a time when Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza.

The film follows Addam Yekutieli (aka Know Hope), a street artist known for his anonymous interventions, who is dealing with chronic illness. The anonymity of the hit-and-run street artist is replaced with intensive and intimate social interactions, exploring how personal and collective trauma can be transformed through art.
In this critical moment in history, this film shows the sickness of the land through personal stories of injuries and trauma caused by a century of colonization.

+++

Free parking is available on the side of VSW, and there is ample free street parking available on and around King St. We ask that all attendees be respectful of the neighborhood when arriving and departing the screening.

11/25/2025