ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Giant sunflowers are blooming on a building in the shadows of St. Petersburg High School.
“We’re very joyful people,” says Alyssa Marie, one of the local artists responsible for the mural. “We love to spread happiness everywhere we go.”
Alyssa and husband Braden Everly launched their ambitious Happy Mural Project at a very interesting time.
They want their murals to foster happiness and togetherness. They are currently searching for more big blank canvasses to brighten up, and they’re hoping businesses reach out.
The married couple was going to launch the project — and their inaugural sunflower mural on the side of the future home of Lolita’s Catering and Events — by handing out flowers to people.
That idea was six weeks ago. Then the world changed.
“People are seeing so much negative out there,” says Alyssa, putting the finishing touches on the sunflower mural, a certain Instagram smash.
So out of respect to social distancing, Alyssa and Braden are hoping to bond with the community another way: car honks.
If they can’t meet you, they want to hear from you if you’re driving by.
They even put out a sign near the mural: “Honk If You’re Happy.”
And they’re getting a LOT of honks.
“We need joy now more than ever,” says a smiling Alyssa.
You can check out the beautiful painted flowers at the corner of 5th Ave N and 28th Street in St. Petersburg. For more on the Happy Mural Project, visit instagram.com/thehappymuralproject.
