Musing

Musing

Our 2013 Fundraiser has kicked off!

WALLTHERAPY 2013 Fundraiser

Earlier today we launched a 33 day Indiegogo campaign with a goal of $30,000.

For the past two years, we’ve self-funded the event, pouring our heart and soul into creating the best event we possibly could. Looking back on those events, we are so incredibly proud of what we have accomplished so far.

This year, though, we realized we wanted and needed to reach out for your assistance. We wanted to bring people even deeper into the project and offer a way for anyone to be a part and show their support.

Ian and I hope you’ll join us in making this year’s WALLTHERAPY even greater than last year!

Thank you so much for your time and your support and we cannot wait to see you in July!

Erich Lehman
Co-curator, WALLTHERAPY

Below, I’ve included a bit about our fundraiser, including the perks we are currently offering. As some of the more limited perks get taken, we’ll be adding other great perks – ESL.

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http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wall-therapy-2013-fundraiser/

It is often said that the key to a healthy, rewarding life is to continually strive to improve upon yourself and the world around you. Just as with any therapy, no matter how beneficial a first treatment may have been, the benefits from continued treatment can be measured exponentially. In 2012 WALLTHERAPY was born, during the week long event, 11 street artists from across the globe created stunning mural art here in Rochester. The reaction from the community was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. That is why we are asking for your donations for a continuation of this endeavor, for WALLTHERAPY 2013.

It’s time for our talented ‘wall therapists’ to make their journey back to Rochester and to offer their special brand of medicine to walls throughout our city.  Last year’s budget was $40,000. What began in 2011 as “Visual Intervention” with four artists from Cape Town, South Africa and seven local artists has now become WALLTHERAPY, featuring 15 artists, and over 16 walls throughout the Rochester area! The funds we receive here will go directly to bringing together artists, both local and global, to offer their treatments to the generously donated walls and surfaces of Rochester.  Help us continue to give back to our community; to help create, to inspire and to revitalize the city that we love.

We ask for your donation and assistance to helping us reach our goal of $30,000 for WALLTHERAPY 2013. Your donations and spreading the word of this campaign will help make this year’s event that much greater than before, and in turn have a greater impact on our community. Please consider donating as generously as possible to a cause which serves to beautify our urban landscape. Let’s continue to inspire each other by breathing new life and energy to this city!

Thank you,

Ian, Erich, and the WALLTHERAPY Crew

To learn more about WALLTHERAPY, please visit our sites:
http://www.wall-therapy.com
http://www.facebook.com/walltherapyny
http://www.youtube.com/walltherapyny

THE PERKS
$10 – WALLTHERAPY DieCut Sticker
For your $10 donation, we’ll send you a 5″ die-cut WALLTHERAPY logo sticker so you can show your support!

$35 – WALLTHERAPY T-SHIRT
To those who donate $35, they will receive wear a premium cotton, two color print (white and blue) WALLTHERAPY shirt. It’s okay to be a bit cavalier as you wear this shirt around Rochester, letting everyone know that you are part of such a worthy and artistic cause.

WT2013_fundraisershirts.jpg

$50  – Mr. Prvrt Owl Print
A custom edition of 20 spray paint and stencil original artwork prints based off the owl designs Mr. Prvrt used during WALLTHERAPY 2012, created specifically for this fundraiser and only available here.

The print measures 14″x18″, on archival Stonehenge paper with one deckled edge. It will be signed and numbered on the back of the print. *Due to the handmade nature of this product, each print will differ very slightly, making each one unique

(20 available)

Mr. Prvrt - OWL print

$75 – EXPOSED: WALLTHERAPY 2012 event catalog
This is a rare opportunity to get a copy of the extremely limited edition event catalog created by Partners & Napier for us to commemorate WALLTHERAPY 2012. This omnibus of awesome captures the true spirit of the endeavor, featuring the art and artists that made the event such a success. This beautiful large format book was not publicly released, but this is your chance to get one of fifteen copies made available through this fundraiser.

(Fifteen Available)
EXPOSED - WALLTHERAPY 2012

$150 – TICKET TO THE WALLTHERAPY 2013 WRAP DINNER
Should you wish to donate $150, you’ll need to clear your social calendar on July 28, 2013 as you will be our very special guest at the event’s wrap-up dinner. Join us at The Yards as we raise our glasses to the artwork created in 2013. To make sure you will always remember the festive occasion, you will be going home with a souvenir as well, a signed spray can used by one of the 2013 WALLTHERAPISTs

(Five available)

Dinner at The Yards

$300 – SIGNED PORTRAIT OF WALLTHERAPY 2012 ARTIST
When you donate $300 to this campaign, you will receive the opportunity to choose a stunning photographic print featuring one of the artists from WALLTHERAPY 2012. These artist portraits, captured brilliantly by photographer Jonathan Rutherford, are truly art themselves. Each print will by 11×17″ archival photographic print signed and printed by the photographer. This perk is limited to only 12 total portraits printed (in any combination). Number 70 of 175.

Please note the photograph you wish to receive during the donation process.

(Only 12 total prints will be produced)

WALLTHERAPY 2012 Artist Portraits
Aritst Portraits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
How & Nosm
DALeast, Faith47*, ROA
Siloette, Cern, CASE
St. Monci, Mr. Prvrt, Thievin’ Stephen
Liqen

*Please note, the portrait of the artist Faith47 does not actually depict the artist herself. Faith47 instead chose to pose and style local Rochester artist Lea Rizzo to represent her for the project. Faith47 was 100% involved with the look and feel for her portrait.

$350 – FRAMED BEN EINE PRINT
When you donate $350 to this campaign you will be offered a signed print by world-renowned artist Ben Eine as a thank you from us. Ben Eine’s typographical art spans the globe and touches upon various genres, from the piece of Eine’s artwork hanging in the white house, to his work in Snow Patrol’s video for “Take Back the City”.
(One Available)
Donated from the private collection of a member of the WALLTHERAPY Team

Signed and Framed Ben Eine Print

Ben Eine – Moniker 2010 print (shown framed as it will be delivered at right)

$1000 – HOWNOSM “Storm Predictions” print
Created in an edition of only 50 prints, this stunning print by 2012 WALLTHERAPISTs HOW & NOSM, was released by Paper Monster in the second half of 2012. Each 7 color screenprint is individually embellished by the artists using airbrush, India ink, collage, and hand-cut stencils, making each one truly unique. The print measures 24″x24″. How & Nosm have donated one print to this fundraiser, and we have a second print donated from the private collection of a member of the WALLTHERAPY Team.

(Two available)

HOWNOSM - Storm Predictions
HOWNOSM Storm Predictions

$1000 SPONSOR LEVEL
Would you like to be an official sponsor of WALLTHERAPY 2013? A donation of $1000 will be all that it takes to have your name alongside this project on our website. As sponsor, you are also showered with wondrous thank you gifts like a copy of the WALLTHERAPY 2013 book (to be completed after the event finishes), die-cut logo stickers, a t-shirt featuring the logo, and tickets for two to join us at our wrap-up dinner in July.

(Ten Available)

$5000 PRODUCER LEVEL
For the donor that wants to go all the way and ensure this campaign is a success, $5000 donations will earn them Producer level credit on WALLTHERAPY. Our Producers will receive a copy of the WALLTHERAPY 2013 book, one of our t-shirts emblazoned with the event’s logo, and tickets for two to the wrap-up dinner in July. Also, those that generously donate this amount to the campaign will have their name listed on the website in our sponsors and donors section. The logo for your company (or name if preferred) will be added to our website and a Producer credit will be given in the 2013 book and documentary.

(Two available)

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wall-therapy-2013-fundraiser/

 

A Note from Ian . . .

A Note from Ian . . .
Dr. Ian J. WIlson during WALLTHERAPY 2012, Photo by Martha Cooper

As the year’s end draws nigh, many tend to wax retrospective, almost as if guided by instinct or reflex. As a card-carrying member of the human race, I beg your pardon as I follow suit. 2012 was a year of many “firsts” and “seconds,” which seemed like a first to most. I’m specifically referring to “WALLTHERAPY . . . the second movement of Visual Intervention”, or simply WALLTHERAPY as it is more widely known. I often refer to WALLTHERAPY as a brainchild with many aunts, uncles, and guardian angels who care for it as much as I do. And what a precocious child it is.

Through the concerted effort of many, that same brainchild was given a voice which echoed around the world! From Newcastle to Nepal, WALLTHERAPY reached an audience far beyond that which we could ever dream. Here at home, the project stirred passions among supporters and (dare I say) a few vocal detractors. The net effect, however, was an elevation of the conversation about where art can live and what it can say. We’ve seen how art can be mirror of ourselves. Our interpretations can reveal a great deal more than we’d care to admit about ourselves and as members of the local-global community of today.

On behalf of the WALLTHERAPY team, its benefactors, volunteers, supporters in both the private, corporate, and municipal sectors, I offer the most profound gratitude. Rochester, NY is becoming the destination for inspired mural art that I dream of because many of you have given selflessly to make it a success! I share any accolades that we received with all of you who are striving to push our scene and city forward. We live in an amazing city because of the people here who have a vision for its future and the will to bring dreams to fruition. Many are transplants who couldn’t love this city more if we born in Highland Hospital (wink). Many are Rochesterians by birth who have partnered with those of us who are naturalized citizens of the Flour City. Let’s continue to share this city with the world and let ’em know where we live!!

May 2013 be your healthiest, most productive and idyllic one yet.

Peace and progress,

Ian J. Wilson, MD
Founder and Curator, WALLTHERAPY
Co-founder, The Synthesis Collaborative

WALLTHERAPY FACTS!

Martha Cooper and one of our many new friends we met during WALLTHERAPY
Martha Cooper and one of our many new friends we met during WALLTHERAPY
Martha Cooper and one of our many new friends we met during WALL\THERAPY

As the dust settles on this year’s WALLTHERAPY event, it’s always good to take a moment and reflect. It’s very easy to miss some really cool details when you are trying to make sure the artists get the right type of cap for their paint or keep everyone hydrated (it was a scorcher that week!)

A few quick stats (we’ll add more here as we find them!)

+ WALLTHERAPY consisted of some of the top street artists working today from countries as internationally diverse as Spain, Germany, South Africa, China, Belgium, and nationally from New York City, San Francisco, and our own beloved Rochester, NY.

+ These 8 internationally-known artists and 3 local artists completed a total of 16 murals throughout the city this year.

+ The artists used several hundred cans of spray paint to complete the murals in addition to several dozen gallons of paint.

+ We lost track of the gallons of water and gatorade we drank during those hot days!

+ Our block party drew over 300 local residents who got to watch the artists paint, ask them questions about their work, and see great DJs like DJ Ease and local bands like ThunderBody and Mikaela Davis for free (featuring some improvised dance routines from local dance troupe One Dance Co. and some visiting breakdancers!)

+ We were incredibly fortunate to have renowned photographer Martha Cooper join us for almost the entire week, documenting our event and the work of the artists. She gave us high marks on the event, and even collaborated with Case on a loving tribute to her beloved Kodak Girl (Did you know she recently released a book showcasing her amazing collection dedicated to Women Photographers?)

+ Almost every local media outlet covered the event, from CITY, to the front page of the Democrat & Chronicle, to a number of local news channels.

+ Our reach was well beyond Rochester, though, with coverage of our event showing up on such renowned art blogs like Juxtapoz Magazine, Arrested Motion, Vandalog, Street Art News, Savage Habbit, Complex Magazine, and even our own dedicated thread on Reddit started by a fan in England.

+ Scores of folks were sharing images via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

+ Speaking of Facebook, we averaged a reach of 30,000 to 50,000 people per week through shared stories and images.

+ This site alone drew unique visitors from from over 85 countries around the world.

+ Thanks to our handy PDF downloadable map, we ran into countless folks, art lovers and curious locals alike, who were visiting all of the murals and discovering new areas of the city they had never been to before. Some traveled by car, while others turned it into reason for a family bike tour. We’ve also been seeing an influx of visitors from outside Rochester who want to see these murals for themselves.

All of our visiting artists (including Martha!) all left incredibly impressed by our city and the people they got to meet and interact with and we look forward to having them come back!

From those of us who worked to put on this event, we want to wholeheartedly thank everyone who came out to see the art, talk with the artists, or just see what all the fuss was about. We have met so many new wonderful people thanks to being out in the streets, interacting with you all, and the positive feedback you gave us made it all worth it.

If you you have any thoughts you’d like to share, we’d love to hear it. Either contact us through the site or email us at walltherapyny@gmail.com