Newark gets Happy Street Signs

On Wednesday, October 15th Newark will get a little happier. A series of 200 Happy Street signs will go up across Newark. This is the work of British NYC-based artist, Killy Kilford and the founder of DeptOfWellBeing.org. Their goal is to enhance well-being by sharing positive messages across the city. Newark is the first city to legally install Happy Street Signs â„¢.

"Love Up Guns Down," and "Follow Dreams Not Crowds" are two of ten messages that will appear on Newark's 200 Happy Street Signsâ„¢. Each of Newark's #HappyStreetSigns have a numbered hologram on the reverse #001-200. The positive messages for Newark's signs and the foundation of Kilford's 2014 collection of paintings were curated during Happy Street Sign workshops that included almost 250 students from Newark's high schools.

Killy Kilford said, "Behind every message on Newark's Happy Street Signs is a story from a young person in Newark. By incorporating these messages into the street sign mechanism, the sign becomes a mirror that shines a light on today's society and directs us towards a brighter tomorrow."

The signs are originally inspired by NYC's defunct "Don't Honk, $350 Penalty" sign. Kilford creates paintings that juxtapose traditional street sign wording with positive messages. The signs were put up with 50 volunteers around Manhattan and Brooklyn.

More info: www.DeptOfWellBeing.org