A Visual Refresh for a Local Landmark
Parkleigh, a fixture of Rochester’s Park Avenue business district, is undergoing an exterior update. Artist Jim Kiselica arrived at the location on Monday, August 24, 2026, to begin painting a fresh series of murals on the storefront. This project marks the third time the building has featured his floral designs, continuing a tradition that has become closely associated with the shop’s visual identity over the past three decades.
Kiselica’s work involves a distinct aesthetic. He is focusing on floral patterns, shifting from his previous iterations to feature new bouquet designs. While the specific arrangements of flowers are changing, he intends to maintain the classic black on white awnings that serve as a signature look for the store. This commitment to consistency ensures the building retains the character regulars recognize while providing a new experience for those walking down the street.
The History Behind the Brush
This project carries personal weight for the artist. Kiselica served as the store’s design manager from 1995 until 1999. His connection to the property began early in his career, as he painted the initial set of murals on the exterior in 1999, the same year he moved away from the city. His work has since become a part of the local scenery, serving as a background for resident photos and a recognizable landmark for the community.
He returned once before in 2015 to refresh the murals. Now living in North Carolina after a period in Florida, his presence in Rochester this week is a return to a place he considers home. "It really touches my heart quite a bit because this is my home, and I got to leave a piece of me here," Kiselica said during the first day of painting. The artist views the opportunity to refresh the work as a privilege, noting that he takes pride in knowing his art contributes to the daily lives of people in his former city.
Community Impact and Future Use
Murals often serve as more than simple decoration. In urban centers like Rochester, public art acts as a point of interest for foot traffic and a backdrop for social media engagement. Parkleigh has found that its storefront draws people specifically for the purpose of taking pictures, turning the exterior into a public space that draws residents toward the Park Avenue corridor.
Looking toward the future, the longevity of these works remains a point of interest for the shop and its patrons. By inviting the original artist back to perform a third iteration of the designs, the owners demonstrate a preference for historical continuity over a complete rebrand. This approach preserves the brand recognition built over twenty-five years while allowing the physical space to remain visually fresh. Residents can expect the work to be completed in the coming days, solidifying the store's position as a consistent and evolving piece of the neighborhood’s character.