Murals of Chautauqua
Expiration: 365 days after purchase
Turn Chautauqua County into your open-air art gallery. This virtual pass invites you to explore outdoor murals across the county, transforming free public art into a self-guided adventure. As you visit each mural, take time to explore the surrounding communities, discover local shops, and experience the creativity that brings our neighborhoods to life. Earn points by checking in at each mural. Redeem points for a PAINTCHQ t-shirt. Supplies limited.
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
Title: “In Bloom”
Year Installed: 2022
Artist: Molly Strong
Website: https://www.mollystrongart.com
Social Handle: @mollystrongart
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute commissioned Buffalo-based artist Chuck Tingley to paint a mural that celebrates the legacy of Roger Tory Peterson. Visit the interactive mural webpage: https://rtpi.org/take-flight-interactive-mural/.
Title: “Taking Flight”
Year Installed: 2025
Artist: Chuck Tingley
Website: https://chucktingley.com
Social Handle: @chucktingley
Prominently featured on the West Wall are a White-tailed Deer buck, female Bald Eagle, and a Great Blue Heron, three of New York State’s most iconic animals. Their presence speaks volumes, requiring little explanation. Sitting amongst them are songbirds, including American Robin, Eastern Meadowlark, and Yellow Tanager.
Set against a vivid sunset and arching rainbow, these traditionally masculine symbols of strength are softened with playful, almost feminine energy, adding balance
and nuance to their portrayal. Just around the corner, a massive Black Bear is nestled comfortably among native wildflowers, embodying quiet power and peaceful coexistence. Just to the right,
a Northern Leopard Frog and an American Toad share a whimsical moment over tea. Flowing from land into water, a variety of wildflowers give way to aquatic life, spotlighting species like the Blackchin Shiner and the Rainbow Darter, further emphasizing the interconnected beauty of this thriving habitat.
**This mural was one of three installed in Chautauqua County as part of the 2025 Paint CHQ Mural Festival, an initiative of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development, sponsored by the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, NYS Council for the Arts, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Arts Services Inc., Lake Shore Bank, and United Arts Appeal.
Title: “Over the Rainbow”
Year Installed: 2025
Artist: Aerosol Kingdom
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Website: https://aerosolkingdom.com/
Social Handle: @AEROSOLKINGDOM
Artist: Emily Ding, Sherman “Over the Rainbow”
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Website: https://www.emilyding.art/
Social Handle: @_EmilyDING
On the left side of the wall is a historic drawing of the community of Falconer, a place that is proud of its long history of industry and innovation.
A falcon bursts through a sky of painted clouds, carrying the name of Falconer across the wall like a living emblem. It’s not just a bird; it’s the village in motion: bold, focused, and rising.
On its wings, a dreamlike village sits on the back of the majestic bird, representing community, the community’s future, and imagination. This mural transforms the wall into a moment of lift-off; a reminder that even small villages can fly high when rooted in pride and possibility.
**This mural was one of three installed in Chautauqua County as part of the 2025 Paint CHQ Mural Festival, an initiative of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development, sponsored by the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, NYS Council for the Arts, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Arts Services Inc., Lake Shore Bank, and United Arts Appeal.
Title: “Eyes on the Horizon”
Year Installed: 2025
Artist: Miss Birdy
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Website: https://www.birdyco.com/
Social Handle: @MISS.BIRDY
Lake Shore Center for the Arts sponsored two murals in the Village of Westfield by sisters Shari and Wendy Gollnitz.
Title: “Empowered Women Empower Women”
Year Installed: 2025
Artist: Shari Gollnitz and Wendy Gollnitz Santilli
This mural concept celebrates the unique identity, heritage, and natural beauty of the region, blending vibrant, nature-based imagery with historical and figurative elements to reflect the community’s deep-rooted pride. At each end of the building, prominent hands engaged in harvest symbolize the dedication and labor that have shaped the region across generations, framing the mural like bookends. Native flora—lilies, oak leaves, and wild flowers—intertwine with Concord and vinifera grapevines, reflecting the area's rich agricultural legacy. The mix of budding and fully bloomed flowers evokes themes of growth, transformation, and renewal. Historical references, including a train and carriage, honor the area’s past. Imagery contrasting modern harvesting equipment with hand-picking methods further emphasizes this dialogue between old and new. The layered, collage-like composition evokes a hand-stitched quilt narrative, blending tradition with progress. Intersecting colorful streaks allude to the town’s original name, Crossroads, while adding contemporary energy and movement. Their shades of blue also reflect the significance of local waterways, including Chautauqua Gorge and Chautauqua Creek. Ultimately, the mural is a bold, expressive portrait of a community rooted in history, thriving today, and embracing its future with pride.
**This mural was one of three installed in Chautauqua County as part of the 2025 Paint CHQ Mural Festival, an initiative of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development, sponsored by the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, NYS Council for the Arts, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Arts Services Inc., Lake Shore Bank, and United Arts Appeal.
Title: “Where the Vines Meet”
Year Installed: 2025
Artist: Dom LaPorte of DRIFT Mural Co.
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Website: https://www.driftmurals.com/
Social Handle: @driftmuralco
Title: “Welcome to Forestville”
Year Installed: 2024
Artist: Kim Woodward
Mural also known as Urban Inspirations, 2024
Title: “Greetings from Chautauqua Lake”
Year Installed: 2024
Artist: Vincent AJ Alejandro
Social Handle: @UrbanInspirations
Title: “Findley Lake”
Year Installed: 2019
Artist: Ehren Knapp
Website: https://www.ehrenknapp.com/hom.html
Social Handle: @EhrenKnappMurals
Title: “Past and Present”
Year Installed: 2018
Artist: Ehren Knapp
Website: https://ehrenknapp.com/home.html
Social Handle: @EhrenKnappMurals
Lake Shore Center for the Arts sponsored two murals in the Village of Westfield by sisters Shari and Wendy Gollnitz.
Title: “Westfield”
Year Installed: 2023
Artist: Shari Gollnitz and Wendy Gollnitz Santilli
Small Town Big Minds commissioned this mural by Weidner, representing the major ethnic groups in Dunkirk, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Poland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy, with the girl on the left representing Native American Black Heritage.
Title: “Remember Your Roots”
Year Installed: 2020
Artist: Gretchen Weidner
Website: https://gretchenweidner.com
Social Handle: @gretchen_weidner
The Luci Desi Museum commissioned father and son, Gary Peters, Sr., and Gary Peters, Jr., to paint a series of murals celebrating the first lady of comedy and Jamestown Native, Lucille Ball.
This is the largest Lucille Ball mural in the world. The Lucy Desi Museum commissioned father and son Gary Peters, Sr., and Gary Peters, Jr. to paint a series of murals celebrating the first lady of comedy and Jamestown native, Lucille Ball.
Title: “Welcome to Cassadaga”
Year Installed: 2021
Artist: Gretchen Weidner
Website: https://gretchenweidner.com
Social Handle: @gretchen_weidner
Title: “Cat Lotus”
Year Installed: 2020
Artist: Erin Ruffino
Website: https://www.erinruffino.com
Social Handle: @erinruffino