Maplewood Shows Gratitude Through Graffiti

More than 30 local merchants, along with the Maplewood Library, are participating in The Gratitude Graffiti Project, a 40-day practice of purposeful appreciation of one’s life through interactive art, starting October 20th leading up to Thanksgiving, November 28th.

“Through The Gratitude Graffiti Project, participants are no longer ‘spectators’ of art, they are fully engaged in creating the art that expresses their gratitude,” the project states on its website. “Through art, people can contemplate, create, rejuvenate and awaken a whole new perspective on how to look at how great life can be.”

This year, window markers are provided to participants through the Maplewood Health Department. The Maplewood Library will participate as a Gratitude Stop by providing the library version, “Date Due for Gratitude” which encourages library patrons to post expressions of gratitude on specially designed library cards.

Stores are also morphing into Gratitude Stops, where a person walking by can read what others are grateful for, mentally note something they are grateful for or to take it a step further by actively writing or drawing what they are grateful for that day on a on a storefront window or on a “Gratitude Graffiti” wall with post- it note. The gratitude stops become living works of art reflective of individual and community gratefulness for all to see.

The project launched last year in Maplewood, with store owners calling the response “overwhelmingly positive.”

This fall, Maplewood has inspired stores in South Orange and Millburn/ Short Hills to participate. Two New Jersey towns (Teaneck and Highland Park) are also participating in a town wide effort to spread The Gratitude Graffiti through their community. The project also has a West Coast international counterpart in Vancouver, British Columbia, spearheaded by the project’s other co-founder, Lucila McElroy. Finally, the project is partnering with 1LOVE, a global non-profit, started by Bob Marley’s family and will be promoting the Gratitude Graffiti Project to their affiliates in the U.S. and around the world to spread one love through gratitude. 

“We are humbled by how the project has taken off and proud that Maplewood has opened their doors and their hearts to the project for a second year," said Candice Davenport, Co-Founder and Maplewood resident. "The project speaks to the need to spread positivity and appreciate all that we have, every moment. All these locations are helping to build a healthier community and are part of a larger movement to spread the practice of mindfulness and gratitude all while having fun through art.”

• Able Baker
• CKO Gym
• Gigi's Cupcakes
• Hair Chalet
• IncPics
• KnitKnack
• Pro Elite Nutrition
• Salon Noir
• Cha Mai's Salon
• Edo's Quality Cakes
• Express Yourself Studios
• Fringe Hair Salon
• Elite Cutz
• Shakti Yoga Studio
• Lotus Petals Florist
• Maplewood Deli
• Village Ice Cream Parlor
• Matters Magazine
• ML Framing
• Roman Gourmet
• Village Barbers
• Anthony Garubo Salon
• Hopscotch
• The Laurel
• Scrivener's
• American Jujitsu (AJJ)
• Bass Chiropractic
• Seafood Palace
• Cedar Ridge Café
• Milk Money
• Stage One
• The Framing Mill
• West Village Consignment

Stores in South Orange include: 

• Sparkhouse Kids
• D & I Fitness
• JC's Closet.