MARK THE MOON (PIN, CLIQSKIN + PRINTS), CURALEAF
CHICAGO, IL | 2023

JY Originals was was invited to join the Artist Collective with Curaleaf's Select Brand, designing a Black History Month enamel pin + Cliqskin titled "Mark the Moon." The artwork depicts a Black woman's hand putting her red, green + black flag on an unnamed planet in outer space. Young wanted to focus the imagery on joy, connection + wellness in the cannabis space that has been riddled with a complicated history + obstacles for Black people. This was a chance to share a different narrative + to be a reflection of what the artist hopes the conversation becomes: a space where we can celebrate the positive impacts of cannabis without passing judgment.

The pin’s artwork celebrates the act of achieving + embracing your most free, creative state, leaving your mark as you do it.

In addition to the pin, Janel also created limited art prints of the Mark the Moon design, with an added augmented reality element, which quickly became a fan favorite! Through the Artivive mobile app, anyone with the print + a smartphone can scan the artwork with their phone’s camera to animate the art — the planets begin orbiting, the clouds begin shifting + the hand rocks from side to side (see video below). Curaleaf hosted a print signing at their retail space on Weed Street during Black History Month.

As another extension of the pin’s artwork, Young executed a four-wall mural at the cannabis dispensary to enhance the customer experience.

Photos by Vince Dalton + Sarah Joyce