Antea Amoroso had been racking her brain for weeks trying to find a way to give back to her community especially during these days of uncertainty as the Covid-19 crisis swept her community, the state, the country and the world.
As a local calligrapher and owner of Antea Amoroso Hand Lettered Designs – her wedding and special event signage business, Antea is more than qualified when it comes to creating inspiration via the arts. However, when her events started being cancelled one after the other for the upcoming months of March through June 2020, due to the Coronavirus shut down, Antea began to feel creatively lost.
https://www.facebook.com/anteaamorosodesign/videos/703921700415538/
With her festive events postponed and anticipated income being pushed further and further out into 2020 and even into 2021, Antea was forced to shift her business in ways she’s never done before. “I’m not going to pretend that fear doesn’t exist in my world, but if I let it in it will break me and I can’t let that happen to me or my clients.”
And then it hit her. And Antea got to work launching her “Lettering for Love” initiative. The “Lettering for Love” initiative is an outdoor, community beautification and inspiration project where Antea provides complimentary lettering for local storefronts.
It all started after she lettered a storefront window in downtown Reading for a friend, people absolutely loved her work. That is when Antea realized there was something she could do to give back … something she could create by hand. “All I needed was my paint and labor of love. Done!”. That’s when Antea’s #LetteringforLove initiative was born.
Antea said she was so excited to discover something that would not only bring her happiness personally, but also create the opportunity to do something good for others! “This is my way of trying to make someone’s day brighter & shining light in a dark chapter of life.” Antea says with a sense of pride. “The best way I know how.”
Originally opening up to local businesses in the Reading area where she lives, when Antea had about 10 storefronts on her list. She then opened the invitation up to her Instagram asking friends, followers, friends of friends to tag local businesses that may want to be included in the project. “I went from 10 to 100 plus local businesses in just a few days.”
Antea says she’s been using social media and word of mouth to grow awareness of her project, and each day gets more and more requests from surrounding towns for her to come create. Thanks to this adaptability and positive mindset Antea has been able to take a moment to find hope and conquer her fear.
This is my way of giving back to a community that has supported me and continues to do so. I want to help local business that could use some complimentary love on their window during days they wish they could be open. “I wish there was something I could do for everyone!” said Antea. “But the truth is I’m a small business experiencing this global pandemic along with everyone else. It’s something that I am not financially or emotionally prepared for. But this is my way of giving back to a community that has supported me and continues to do so.”
Antea usually writes on the windows what the local’s business wants, like the business’s favorite saying or something they want their customers to see as they pass by. “Others leave it up me,” says Antea, “allowing me to choose an inspirational message to someone walking by on the street.”
While she’s out creating, Antea also remembers to stay cautious. She practices social distancing while out, wearing protective gloves and facial mask and working only when business hours are closed. For reference, most designs take Antea under 10 minutes to complete from start to finish, so her exposure outside is very limited.
Antea says there is no end date to this project, and she hopes to continue it for as long as she can. Those interested you can message Antea directly on her Instagram @anteaamoroso.