Union Market and Instagram Join Forces for #KindComments Mural

Designed by renowned artist Dallas Clayton (@DallasClayton), the mural is part of Instagram's global #KindComments initiative intended to promote and foster positive engagement on and offline. Clayton invited KIPP High School students and Union Market District neighbors as well as local artists to paint along the 6th Street mural.

"The process is no process. The process is the less I know when I get somewhere, the better off we are," Clayton said. "You let the building talk to you, you try to engage people in the community so that they have a say. You're not just coming into someone's territory trying to tell them what it should look like. You're letting groups and organizations of kids and adults, people of various ages, shapes, and sizes to help make a 'thing' and if you get enough colors together, enough hands together, than it just becomes about finesse — to keep the things moving."

The mural at Union Market was painted and revealed Wednesday on National Day of the Girl, a youth-led movement for gender justice and youth activism. Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), Instagram Chief Operating Officer Marne Levine, DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, and artist Dallas Clayton spoke to teen entrepreneurs, and businesses owners. Grammy award winning singer Jewel was also in attendance.

Brainfood, a Union Market vendor, and Build Metro DC, two DC organizations that mentor and foster teen entrepreneurship, were also in attendance.

Councilmember McDuffie commented on the importance of sharing kindness in Ward 5, McDuffie said "Union Market is creating food, art and more importantly economic opportunities for so many businesses for inspiring entrepreneurs, and given small businesses are such an important community to Instagram, it's only fitting that we bring everyone together to celebrate kindness right here at Union Market."

Instagram also committed to pairing each young entrepreneur with an established small business in the same field to mentor the teens on their business journeys on and off Instagram:

• Julia, a 17-year-old artist in the D.C. area who goes by Kimchi Juice (@kimchijuicexyz), and is known for her "Cute Animals Flipping the Bird" series as well as Kimchi Juicebox (@kimchijuicebox), which features cute animals on murals, tees, and accessories, will be paired with small business mentor Isa Beniston (@gentlethrills), a Los Angeles-based artist known for wearable drawings and dynamic stationery.
• D.C.-based high school senior Olivia Trice started a custom crochet wear company, Stitched by Liv (@stitchedbyliv) and is also the D.C. ambassador for @girlpowermeetups. She will be paired with small business mentor Shadé Akanbi of @printedpatternpeople, a Brooklyn clothing line.

"Nothing better than a partnership with Instagram, emerging businesses and a Dallas Clayton mural to celebrate community and kindness," Union Market Director of Strategy Jennifer Maguire Isham. "Everybody has to come enjoy it and think about its message… #IRL [in real life]."

Local photographer Gary Williams @MasterWilliams was on hand take portraits of guests in front of the #KindComments mural. Union Market vendors Takorean and B Doughnut offered bites and sips for the afternoon while local high school band Twenty20 provided the soundtrack.

#KindComments murals will also go up in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Mexico City, Jakarta, Ottawa, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, Brasilia and Mumbai.

About Dallas Clayton
Dallas Clayton (@dallasclayton) is a best-selling author, illustrator, muralist, philanthropist, adventure seeker and touring public speaker for both kids and adults. He started his career self releasing "An Awesome Book," a story encouraging kids to DREAM BIG, and was hailed "the new Dr Suess." He transforms simple spaces into interactive opportunities for reflection and sharing positivity. The purpose of these murals is to engage people both physically and digitally in acts of kindness, love, introspection and compassion while bringing color, light, hope and artistic beauty to cityscapes around the world.

About Union Market: The Union Market District, located a short walk from the NoMa/Gallaudet metro, is a 45-acre district that is planned for over 8 MSF of development. EDENS has a clear vision to redevelop the district into one of DC's most vibrant, diverse and thriving neighborhoods—a living laboratory for a sustainable urban community and place for creative minds and businesses to connect, thrive and make DC their own. Since opening in September 2012, The Market at Union Market, the acclaimed food market with over 40 local artisans, now averages 15,000 visitors per weekend and has hosted over 400 events. For more information about Union Market, please visit www.unionmarketdc.com.

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