~Superhero Kids chosen as beneficiary of mural design proceeds~
~Design marks Daniel Johnston’s first mural in 20 years~
AUSTIN, TX—December 1, 2014—A new Daniel Johnston mural was unveiled today at Austin institution Nau’s Enfield Drug on West Lynn. The design, featuring a superhero and the inspirational message “Love is the question; Love is the answer,” is Daniel’s first mural in 20 years and a holiday gift to the City of Austin from GSD&M. And because of Daniel Johnston’s love of superheroes, GSD&M chose the Superhero Kids organization, a longtime community partner whose tireless work goes to fight childhood cancer, to benefit from the sale of T-shirts featuring the mural and a social campaign running through December 31.
“GSD&M, Daniel Johnston, Superhero Kids, and Nau’s came together to create something beautiful and lasting for our city,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell. “This mural represents the spirit of our community, and I’m proud to accept it on behalf of Austin.
Daniel Johnston, a local Austin artist and musician, was profiled in a feature-length documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston, which was released in 2005. He is best known locally for his “Hi, How Are You?” mural on Guadalupe St. and a quirky musical style that embodies Austin’s ethos.
The mural is an original Daniel Johnston design that was selected specifically for this project by Johnston’s family; Johnston’s managers, Tom Gimbel and Dick Johnston; and GSD&M. It was painted on November 19 and 20 and unveiled December 1. “Daniel has always had a heart for Austin and for helping others—especially kids,” said Gimbel. “When he and his family heard about this opportunity to dedicate a new mural to Superhero Kids, they were all in.”
Superhero Kids, founded in December 2009, provides financial support for the families of children with cancer and blood disorders at the Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center. “When children undergo treatment for these illnesses, one parent typically has to stop working,” said Samia Joseph, founding partner of the organization. “We provide financial support to families so they can focus on caring for their children. When GSD&M came to us and told us the project would benefit Superhero Kids, we were thrilled.”
The mural is on the north side of Nau’s Enfield Drug and will remain indefinitely as a new cultural landmark for the city of Austin. Beginning December 1 through the end of 2014, GSD&M will make a donation to Superhero Kids for every photo taken in front of the mural and posted to social channels with hashtag #SuperheroKids. Limited-edition T-shirts will also be on sale at Nau’s and online at GSDM.com (holiday.gsdm.com), with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Superhero Kids.
About Superhero Kids
Superhero Kids was founded in December 2009 to specifically address quality-of-life issues for children and their families battling cancer and blood disorders at the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center of Central Texas (CBCC).
Superhero Kids provides financial assistance to the CBCC to enhance special nonmedical programming such as the Hungry Bunch Teen Program, nonmedical expenses incurred by families that are not reimbursed by insurance, transportation, basic living expenses and special educational needs for families who are unable to address these extraordinary and often unanticipated additional costs of battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders.
About GSD&M
GSD&M is an advertising agency headquartered in Austin and focused on ideas that make a difference. With a restless culture and purpose as a guiding force, GSD&M builds brands with an integrated creative and media approach. GSD&M is part of Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMC). For more information, go to GSDM.com.
Contact:
Melanie Mahaffey
GSD&M
(512) 242-4594
Sarah Settele
GSD&M
(512) 242-4635
