The You Are Beautiful movement was started in 2002 as a way to make grand gestures in public places. As they distribute over 3 million small stickers with the message, “you are beautiful,” the group 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 planning both long-term and fast-track projects, You Are Beautiful seeks to leave the world a little better than when they found it.

This “You Are Beautiful” mural was created by graffiti artist Sacred317, in collaboration with the Department of Public Words and Street Styles. Designed to send a positive message to children living on the Near Eastside, this mural’s bright colors and encouraging words added to the many efforts to improve the quality of life in the area. The mural was deinstalled in May 2019 when the underlying structure was demolished for renovation; there is a new mural on the renovated building.

Street Styles is a workshop that brings the styles, methods, and spirit of street art into the classroom as a vehicle for teaching Indianapolis youth the principles of creating and thinking about art. Many Indianapolis youth have already engaged with street art in a number of ways. Through an explanation of the basics of art, Street Styles seeks to teach students important social values with an emphasis on respect for themselves, their teachers, and their community.