Deals and Steals on upgrades for the home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Living
  • Good News

'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around Georgia town

VIDEO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around Georgia town
1:00
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around Georgia town
ABCNews.com
ByTommy Brooksbank
March 23, 2020, 4:33 pm

As concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic intensify, residents of one small city in Georgia are spreading a simple message to support their local artists: “Everything Will Be OK.”

Yard signs with the positive message have popped up on lawns and windows all over the city of Dunwoody, hoping to show the community’s solidarity in wake of so much uncertainty.

Editor’s Picks

This nurse was heartbroken by empty supermarket shelves after 'full day of work'

  • Mar 20, 2020

Ways to volunteer from home and how to help food banks during coronavirus

  • Mar 24, 2020

Free little library turns into free food pantry where neighbors leave essentials

  • Mar 23, 2020
PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts
PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts
PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts

Even local law enforcement joined in to get the word out.

“It gives folks that glimmer of hope that we're going to get through this and stay positive,” said Alan Mothner, a Dunwoody resident and CEO of the Spruill Center for the Arts. “It's something we all kind of share in our hearts here and our community wants to spread that positive message.”

Mothner runs a local art’s center and is the brainchild behind the signs. “Everything Will Be OK” was originally coined in a 2009 mural by local artist Jason Kofke. Over a decade later the message is now an ingrained part of the community.

PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts

“People drive by it, take pictures in front of it, everyone's always talking about it around here,” said Mothner. “It's kind of known as the unofficial motto of the city of Dunwoody.”

Mothner realized his neighbors wanted a way to show they’re sticking to the city creed in these trying times. He got together with Heyward Wescott who owns a local graphics design company, and the pair began putting signs up around town.

“The message is just wonderful,” said Wescott. “We’ve had this sign for years in our community and I think now is the perfect time to embrace it.”

PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts

The duo received an outpouring of support and began selling the signs through the Spruill Center for the Arts to support local artists out of a job during the Coronavirus crisis.

“Galleries are shut, they can't sell work, they can't teach,” said Mothner. “Most artists really have no means of income at the moment.”

Each sign is $20 and goes to the artist’s fund. Volunteers are delivering and planting signs in their costumers' yards to avoid any physical contact.

PHOTO: 'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
'Everything Will Be OK' signs pop up to spread cheer around a Georgia town.
Spruill Center for the Arts

(MORE: #AskGMA: 10 common <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/coronavirus" id="_ap_link_coronavirus_Coronavirus_" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> questions answered)

Mothner said they’ve received over 600 orders for signs since Sunday, raising at least $14,500 for local artists in just over 24 hours.

“We're overwhelmed by the support we've seen from the public behind this effort,” said Mothner. “We've now gotten requests from people in Florida, New Hampshire and Minneapolis all asking for signs. I’m glad so many people want to step up and help our artists.”

Mothner said the Spruill Center for the Arts board is meeting this week to determine the best mechanism for allocating funds to artists. If you'd like to order a sign, you can do so on the website.

Related Topics
  • Good News

Editor’s Picks

This nurse was heartbroken by empty supermarket shelves after 'full day of work'

  • Mar 20, 2020

Ways to volunteer from home and how to help food banks during coronavirus

  • Mar 24, 2020

Free little library turns into free food pantry where neighbors leave essentials

  • Mar 23, 2020
Up Next in Living—

Undocumented immigrant turns Ph.D. hopes into reality

September 29, 2023

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

Up Next in Living—

Undocumented immigrant turns Ph.D. hopes into reality

September 29, 2023

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News