Summer Lovin'

This was the second year that the Wall Therapy Festival happened here in Rochester NY, and the organizers raised over $30,000. through an Indiegogo campaign to help cover expenses. Beyond that cost, volunteers and individual donors of time, energy and money made this happen. All the Wall Therapy artists have gone to their respective homes in Belgium, Africa, Brazil and a myriad of other places. The good thing is, you can still take a tour and enjoy it today!The idea was the brain child of Dr. Ian Wilson, formerly from Brooklyn, now working as a medical doctor at the University of Rochester. Talk is cheap, so let me plunk down a few photos. Feel free to click to enlarge them to get details.

All of the pictures above are located just off of East Ridge Road on the edge of Irondequoit. If you have  a car, or even better a bike, or feet, use them to take you through El Camino Trail, near Hollenbeck Street and see them for yourself! There are more murals in the South Wedge, and near the public market among other places all over town. Again, these artists aren't just from Rochester.  Many of the artists traveled from different countries  to be here and many are internationally known in both graffitti and gallery circles. The whole point of  doing this is to once again make it known to the community that art is for all of us! It changes perspectives and demonstrates care and concern for the local community. It reaches into our history and into our past. It is personal, as well as for public consumption. It has meaning and worth.

These artists have taken time to beautify some of the little known and well known areas of our city. It was incredible to see little kids surrounding the artists, staring upward at their work, and asking questions about why they were doing it, and if they really had permission! The image just below is on Joseph Avenue. Now, I don't generally go over to that neighborhood to take tourist photos, but when I did I was greeted by smiles of kids, business owners and the artist himself. Meanwhile, cars slowed down and I heard the word "Awesome!" enthusiastically coming from a passing car. Others beeped their horns to demonstrate approval of the mural work. This kind of energy is electric. Our little city was highlighted in Juxtapoz Magazine and Huffington Post. The Democrat and Chronicle also did some great step by step process photos throughout the week on this website that are pretty amazing to see. For more details about each artist and links to their websites check out this Wall Therapy link.  Happy hunting!