Project History
Our Mission: We are a public art project that inspires artists to create work in their communities, sparking hope, connection, and conversations about mental health.
OUR REACH
2019
3 murals in Brooklyn, NY
Dirty Bandits, Adam Fujita, and Jason Naylor. Combined following of over 200k
Media coverage included: Women’s Health Magazine (2m), Secret NYC (1.4m), amNY, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Bushwick Daily, Run Street
2021
Grew to 32 murals worldwide
New artists included Tierney Milne, Signs of Power & Cris Pagnoncellli Combined following of over 400k.
YANAM began encouraging and sharing submissions created in all mediums. We received & shared 200+ art submissions from 25+ countries.
Call to action: Lauren Hom (@homsweethom 253k) and GoodType (@goodtype 1.2m) shared our project via social media and encouraged artist participation.
Media coverage included: Women’s Health Magazine, Pantone (3.3m), Street Art NYC, Brooklyn Street Art, Portland Press Herald
2022
Grew to over 50 murals worldwide
New artists included Zipeng Zhu, Efdot, Vexta, Katie Merz, and others. Combined following of over 800k.
Activations:
100ft mural at The Seaport NYC
Priority Delivers postcard campaign
Artist installations at NAMIWalks NYC
The William Vale Hotel art installation
and event
Partnerships: NAMI-NYC, The Seaport NYC, Priority Bicycles, Moo, Ronan Paints, Colossal Media, The William Vale Hotel
The award-winning short documentary about our project from Folktale Creative premiered at festivals nationwide and screened in NYC.
Media coverage included: Forbes, GoodType, Secret NYC, Brooklyn Street Art, UpMag, Greenpointers
Blog posts: Moo, The Seaport, Colossal Media, Better Letters Magazine
2023
Grew to over 80 murals worldwide
New artists included Brian Kaspr, Indie184, Marco Santini, #DFTE, Alanna Flowers, and others.
Activations:
160ft mural at The Seaport NYC
Priority Delivers postcard campaign
Artist installations at NAMIWalks NYC
Darien, CT Community Event
Two documentary screenings and Q&As
Our organization Purpose Projects NY, Inc became a 501(c)(3)!
Partnerships: The Corbin District, NAMI-NYC, The Seaport NYC, Priority Bicycles, Moo, Ronan Paints, The William Vale Hotel
Talks: Annica Lydenberg and Samantha Schutz on S13E6 of HI RES Podcast
Media coverage: News12 CT, Vermont WCAX, Street Art NYC
2024
More than 100 murals worldwide
The project grew to 113 murals! New artists included Lauren Hom, David Puck, Yuma.York, Olga Muzician and Juan Carlos Pagan.
Activations:
Third annual Seaport MuralFest - 160ft mural at The Seaport NYC
NAMIWalks NYC Live Mural Painting with Calicho
Collaborations:
Priority Delivers Coast Cruiser collaboration with Priority Bicycles
Boring Friends x You Are Not Alone Murals Exclusive T-Shirt Collection
Talks & Presentations:
"You Are Not Alone Murals: Allowing Vulnerability Into Your Art and Life" with Jay Rivera (@lacedandfound), Annica Lydenberg (@dirtybandits), Samantha Schutz (@sam_schutz), Vanessa Power (@signsofpower) and Lynne Yun ( @lynneyun) for Better Letters
You Are Not Alone Murals presentation at Creative Works East Conference with Annica Lydenberg (@dirtybandits), Samantha Schutz (@sam_schutz) on the power of public art, sharing stories, and vulnerability.
Partnerships: NAMI-NYC, The Seaport, Howard Hughes, Priority Bicycles, Ronan Paints, Montana Colors and Priority Bicycles.
Media coverage: UpMag, Brooklyn Street Art Loves You More Every Day,
ABOUT THE CREATORS
You Are Not Alone Murals was founded by long-time friends Annica Lydenberg (Dirty Bandits), art director, lettering artist, illustrator, and mural painter, and Samantha Schutz, publishing director, mental health advocate, and the author of the critically-acclaimed anxiety disorder memoir, I Don't Want to Be Crazy.
“The artwork remind viewers that no matter what challenges each of us is dealing with, our emotions are universal. No one is immune to anxiety, grief, anger, shame, and sadness. We are fundamentally connected through our humanity and, therefore, never alone.” - Samantha Schutz
“Repetition is an important component of the project. Whether people see the works digitally or in person, the goal is for viewers to feel seen and supported. The more often someone comes in contact with the message, the greater the impact and the more likely they will feel the message applies to them.” - Annica Lydenberg
Photo @just_a_spectator
HOW IT STARTED
After the publication of Samantha’s memoir, she received letters from readers and found one phrase repeated time and time again: “Your book made me feel less alone.” Readers said they never knew anyone else felt the same way they did and that it was like they were reading their own life story. Samantha’s willingness to be vulnerable had led to connection and comfort.
Annica—whose artistic work is fueled by her deep appreciation for type, love of storytelling, and dedication to social good—was so inspired by the connection Samantha had made to readers that she wanted to use public murals to help spread the message “You Are Not Alone” and featured only the colors from Samantha’s book cover: yellow, black, white, and gray. In May 2019, the project launched with three Brooklyn murals painted by Dirty Bandits, Jason Naylor, and Adam Fujita. The project has since expanded globally and remains ongoing.