Who writes the future? Here at 826, the answer is always our students. That’s why we’re thrilled to share “Write the Future,” our collaboration with temporary tattoo design company Tattly! The colorful wearable art, designed by fine artist, author, and illustrator Lisa Congdon is part of the Brooklyn-based company’s Tattly Does Good initiative. Since 2014, Tattly Does Good has partnered Tattly artists with meaningful nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and raise funds. “Write the Future” is Tattly’s seventh Tattly Does Good design, and Tattly will donate 80% of the profits from each sale to 826 National.
Tattly’s social media and marketing manager Elisabeth Morgan says the company first learned about 826 by spending time at 826NYC, which is also located in Brooklyn.
“We immediately fell in love with the mission of your organization,” Morgan says. “As a small business filled with entrepreneurial, creative employees, we understand the importance of developing writing skills for all future endeavors,”
Tattly created a custom design for 826NYC’s storefront, the Superhero Supply Co., which led to the connection with 826 National.
Morgan says when Tattly began thinking about who they wanted to create a design for 826 National, Lisa Congdon “immediately came to mind as an artist who isn’t afraid of color or joyful expression. We’re so happy with how this design turned out!”
Congdon, who lives in Portland, Oregon, has deep connections with both Tattly and 826. “I have worked with 826 Valencia twice in the past six years and I’ve worked with Tattly since the year they launched,” she says. “So I was thrilled when Tattly Does Good and 826 reached out to me to design this tattoo to benefit 826 National.”
Congdon’s vibrant 3-inch by 3-inch design features the phrase “Write the Future” — a bold call to action that’s set between two pencils and several bolts of lightning. It’s inspired by 826’s goal to “encourage the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing.”
“The work 826 does with kids to write about and share their humanity is some of the most important work in the world,” Congdon says. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how artists and activists of all ages are re-writing history at this very moment. Empowering adults and kids alike to be part of that movement was the inspiration for this Tattly.”
Click here to buy your own piece of Tattly’s 826-related temporary wearable art — and be sure to rock your “Write the Future” tattoos on social media. Tag us @826National!
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