Meet Bob Rathbun! Outside of his role managing AVANGRID’s Network Management Center in Rochester, New York, Bob is a strong supporter of the arts as a driver of change and critical conversations through initiatives like Wall\Therapy.

WALL\THERAPY is an art and community intervention project, using public murals to transform the urban landscape, inspire, and build community. With its team of “community therapists,” dedicated volunteers, and co-curator and lead organizer Erich Lehman, WALL\THERAPY works to create a 24/7, open-access art gallery for all to enjoy, reflecting Rochester’s vibrancy and diversity onto its very walls.

WALL\THERAPY’s work embodies the spirit of Rochester – a city sometimes known as the “Image City” – from its deep, historic roots in the fight for equality and civil rights to its rich creative identity, showing how art can heal our cities in times of crisis and need, give public spaces new life and energy, provide a voice to those unheard, and bring the community together into open dialogue.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WALL\THERAPY has reimagined its 2020 curation to promote projects created by female, femme and non-binary artists of all creative disciplines with a set of 10 mini-grants made possible through the #AVANgives award. Designed in celebration of the 19th Amendment centennial, the mini-grant program has helped directly support local artists making a positive impact on Rochester area communities through challenging times. Ranging from murals inspired by current conversations around racial injustice, a live performance honoring women’s suffrage, and populating free libraries with hand-painted books authored by Black/Indigenous/Women of Color, the creative output is a testament to the power of art as a vehicle for social good.