For the inaugural year, four communities have been selected to host the new murals: Dunkirk, Falconer, Sherman, and Westfield. Coordinating the effort is Alexandra Hall from A H Public Spaces Consulting, LLC, who has assisted with other community mural projects around the country. Official Paint CHQ events are scheduled to occur the week of September 7, with other adjacent community-related events also scheduled during the month.

The commissioned muralists have begun work on their respective projects, and all four murals will be completed by the end of September. The public is encouraged to visit the participating communities during the mural installation process, but the public is also encouraged to maintain a safe distance from heavy equipment and also save any questions for the muralists until their respective Artist Talk and Dedication events.

Locations are:

Dunkirk: The Coburn Block, 123 Central Ave.

Mandi Caskey will be giving a presentation Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Falconer High School cafeteria.

Falconer: State Lanes, 16 E. Main St.

Sherman: The Cornerstone Restaurant, 104 E. Main St.

Westfield: Grace & Abe’s Westfield, 14 N. Portage St.

Each community will also host an artist talk with their respective muralist. The talks will include presentations and discussions on the creation of the artwork, process, creative briefs that informed the artists, and the inspirations, providing insight into their creative choices and fostering a deeper connection with the public. It is an opportunity to get to know more about the artist and their artwork. The full Artist Talk schedule can be found online at ChooseCHQ.com/PaintCHQ.

– Monday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. The Corner Stone Restaurant, Sherman: Emily Ding (Houston) and Justin Suarez, aka “Aerosol Kingdom” (Rochester, N.Y.)

– Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. Eason Hall, Westfield: Dom Laporte of DRIFT Mural Co. (Ottawa, Ontario)

– Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. – Falconer High School (Cafeteria): Mandi Caskey, aka “Miss Birdy” (Columbus, Ohio)

– TBD – Dunkirk: Alain Welter (Luxembourg)

The Paint CHQ mural festival celebrations and mural dedications kicks off on Friday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. in Westfield. On Saturday, Sept. 13, two more dedications will take place at 1:30 p.m. in Sherman and 3 p.m. in Falconer, with other community events continuing all day. Due to changes in Dunkirk’s artist arrival, dates for the dedication and festival will be announced shortly. A full list of locally led events and Paint CHQ festivals and events schedule can be found online at ChooseCHQ.com/PaintCHQ.

Paint CHQ has also created a Mural Passport program. Passports will be available at the Paint CHQ website, and hard copies will be available at the artist talks and dedication events. If you visit at least three of the four murals during the artist talks or dedication events, you will be entered to win a Live CHQ basket and Paint CHQ prize. Stamps will be provided at each site.

Paint CHQ also features an Apprentice Program. Local artists selected to be involved are: Carrie Blitz, Rose Crane, Pamela Corsoro, Jackie Damore, Jackie Doyle, Lily Foster, Sam Gast, Chris Labuskes, Kenneth Labuskes, Jewel Lin, Melissa Meyers, Sara Baker Michalak, Victoria Parker, Joseph Rice, Jenna Robino, Erin Ruffino, and Stacey Seleen.

Funding for this project is allotted through CCPEG’s placemaking initiative, and additional funding has come from grant funding through New York State Council on the Arts, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Arts Services Inc., Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Lake Shore Savings, and the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

For more information about Paint CHQ, visit ChooseCHQ.com/PaintCHQ.