The following is from The Gratitude Graffiti Project:
The Gratitude Graffiti Project says, “WRITE ON, MAPLEWOOD!”
“What are you grateful for?”
That is the question of the season as the 5th Annual Gratitude Graffiti Project returns to usher in the fall and Thanksgiving season. This year, visit participating stores throughout the business districts in Maplewood Village, Valley St., Ridgewood Road, Parker Ave. and Springfield Avenue. Clinton School and Jefferson School will be participating again this year as well for students and staff to express what they are grateful for at those locations.
[Read about previous years’ projects in these Village Green articles here, here and here.]
The Gratitude Graffiti Project is a 24-day opportunity to appreciate the good things in one’s life through interactive art. Until November 24, Thanksgiving Day, these stores and schools transform into ‘Gratitude Stops’ where everyone is invited to write or draw one thing they are grateful for. The project ends the day after Thanksgiving and ‘disappears’ until next year. The intent of the project is to give residents a chance to take a moment and reflect on one thing they are grateful for every day and to tap into their creativity by expressing that thankful thought into words or art, declared respectfully on public spaces.
A big thank you to the local businesses who are sponsoring the program this year. Markers are provided through the Maplewood Loves Wellness campaign. Candice Davenport and Lucila McElroy started this project five years ago and it has grown and flourished over the years. “The success of the project is due in part to two things: 1. the enthusiastic participation of our local businesses, libraries, and schools which are our community hubs and touchstones; it is a natural transition to become ‘gratitude stop’.” Say Candice Davenport, who is also the Public Health Nurse/ Health Educator for the Maplewood Health Department. “The other part is this community of diverse residents who embrace the project, year after year. It warms my heart to see what people write/ draw and that they take the time to express it. We give a gift to each other everyday by focusing on the good things in our lives and then artistically writing/ drawing it for other’s to see.”
Stop by any of the participating stores to write or draw one thing you are grateful for:
- Able Baker
- Village Ice Cream
- Way of Life Karate
- Fringe Salon
- Express Yourself Studios
- American Jiu Jitsu
- Transitions
- Cedar Ridge Café
- ProElite Nutrition
- Milk Money
- West Village Consignments
If there are any local stores or locations that would like to participate this month, please contact Candice Davenport, Co-Founder, at thegratitudegraffitiproject@gmail.com
For more information, visit the website, www.thegratitudegraffitiproject.com and post pictures on Instagram #gratitudegraffiti and post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gratitudegraffitiproject
