The You Are Beautiful movement was started in 2002 as a way to make grand gestures in public places. Along with distributing over 3 million small stickers with the message “you are beautiful,” You Are Beautiful also strives to beautify communities with massive and inspiring installations. The organization believes that when the phrase “you are beautiful” is integrated into a city or community, it creates an immediate positive dialogue. Having collaborated with major cities and organizations around the globe on both temporary and permanent installations, and after planning long-term and fast-track projects, You Are Beautiful seeks to leave the world a little better than when they found it.

The Murphy Art Center‘s “You Are Beautiful” has been a signature element of the Fountain Square commercial center since it was first installed, in 2007. Dave and Holly Combs of the nonprofit arts collective Department of Public Words created the text-based mural in plywood as their first public art project.  In 2016, the Department of Public Words redesigned the piece to be made of aluminum and added LED lighting so it could be seen at night.  You Are Beautiful now stands as a beacon for the Fountain Square Cultural District‘s nightlife and entertainment scene.

Since their first project, the Department of Public Words has produced several other positive-message murals and installations in the Indianapolis area and in other cities.