Paint CHQ

ABOUT PAINT CHQ

In partnership with local community members, Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development (CCDPD) will bring large-scale murals to several of our communities! Each town will have a unique project in a location that aligns with the strategy and goals of the festival. The goals and purpose of this type of artwork implementation include highlighting community assets, embracing the value of public art investment, bringing visitors to your community, encouraging economic growth, building a foundation for more public art investment, and improving quality of place. This new public art will foster community pride and encourage economic revitalization. The project will focus on the creation of up to five murals in the downtown corridor of each town, accompanied by a community festival.

Mural festivals involve the implementation of a group of murals in a condensed time frame. All of the PAINT CHQ murals will be located in different towns within Chautauqua County, and the murals will be installed simultaneously. The festival atmosphere draws media attention and outside visitors while inviting residents to be part of the public art creation. The mural festival will culminate on the final day of the event, September 13, 2025, when all the murals are complete and celebrated with fanfare!

LOCALS CAN GET INVOLVED!

Do you want to get more involved?  CREDC and the CCDPD are evaluating the community’s interest in public art, and we are encouraging Chautauqua County residents to participate in this short anonymous survey. See the survey link below.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS!

We are also hosting local in-person workshops. At these meetings you will learn more about the program, and you will help develop the theme of the mural going in your community! Four workshops were held in March in Sherman, Dunkirk, Westfield, and Falconer. There will be another workshop held later in the year.

• Additional Workshops Coming Soon!
  

  (check back here for future times and locations)

OPEN ARTIST CALL!

CREDC, the CCDPD, and local steering committees  are seeking qualified artists for five large-scale mural projects. The PAINT CHQ mural festival will be held in Chautauqua County, NY  from September 7 – September 13, 2025 . Local and regional artists are strongly encouraged to apply for this project. The deadline for artists to apply is March 16, 2025. Please click the link below to apply and learn more. 

PAINT CHQ APPRENTICE OPPORTUNITY!

Local artists who are interested in learning more about how to install a mural may apply to participate in the Paint CHQ Mural Apprentice Program. Artists may apply for both the RFQ and the apprentice program.  The  Paint CHQ Mural Apprentice Program will offer aspiring artists an opportunity to garner valuable experience installing large-scale murals. This is an excellent resume builder for an aspiring muralist! Apprentices will be paired with experienced muralists and asked to help assist in the mural installation during the mural festival. Apprentices may learn how to scale a design to fit a building, learn about different mediums, and expand their artist-network!  The deadline for apprentices to apply is JUNE 1, 2025.  Please click the link below to apply and learn more. 

Eligibility:

1. Applicant must be 18 or older, or have parental permission
2. Applicant must reside in Chautauqua County, NY
3. Applicant MUST be able to volunteer some hours to this apprentice program during Paint CHQ mural festival: September 7 – September 13, 2025