People may be noticing at least 15 giant painted lightbulbs located throughout Aurora.
At least, the artists and Simply Destinee, a suicide awareness and prevention dance team in the city, are hoping people notice.
That’s because the light bulbs are not only street art done by local artists, but message carriers as well — to shine a light on suicide, particularly throughout September, which is Suicide Awareness Month.
“These artists have put a lot of work into this, these kids have put a lot of work into this,” said Marty Luna of Simply Destinee this week, as Mayor Richard Irvin and the City Council recognized the effort, as well as the organization, with a mayoral proclamation.
In reading the proclamation, Irvin pointed out that suicide is the third-largest cause of death among youth. Members of the group at this week’s City Council Committee of the Whole meeting wore shirts that said, “Not all that wander are lost.”
Irvin said the organization, with more than 100 youths, “changes lives.”
“We want to highlight their efforts in September,” he said.
The lightbulbs themselves are located at 15 different locations, mostly downtown or near downtown, and carry different message of awareness and hope. They are done by a variety of artists.
Simply Destinee was formed in memory of Destinee A. Oliva, a teen who took her life, and to help shed light on suicide.
“It’s the end result of an illness,” Luna said. “We’re letting kids know they’re not alone.”
In addition to the street art, Simply Destinee is participating in and promoting events throughout the month.
The group’s events include: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, a Suicide Awareness Street Art Meetup at Millennium Park in downtown Aurora; 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, a candelight vigil at Simply Destinee studio, 416 High St., Aurora; 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10, “Worries of the World Wide Web” workshop by Circuit Court Judge Rey Cruz, Simply Destinee studio; 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 19, “Unimpaired Awareness” event at Santori Library, River and Benton streets, Aurora; 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20, Kane County Sheriff’s Department program about suicide, Santori Library; 4 to 5 p.m., Sept. 24, Stop the Violence Car Show, location to be announced; 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 27, “13 Reasons Why” book and movie discussion, Simply Destinee studio; 4 to 8 p.m., Sept. 28, Thankful Thursday honoring Simply Destinee, Endiro Coffeehouse, New York Street, downtown Aurora; 5 to 7 p.m., Sept. 30, Shine the Light Finale, time and place to be announced.
More information is available at www.simplydestinee.org.
