MEET SARA JOY
Positivity is contagious, and our world needs more of it.
Hi! I’m Sara Annapolen, Artist and founder of Sara Joy. I’m a mixed media artist and muralist; and my creative journey has always been driven by this core belief: our world needs more positivity.
I’ve always been a glass half full type. I spent more than a decade working in the garment center of Manhattan in the fashion industry, building an intimate understanding of color, pattern, and loving every minute of it, until I got laid off from my corporate career in May of 2019.
It was then I made the bold decision to bet on myself; I had my LLC by August, and my first order placed with my namesake clothing line by December. Sara Joy was a resort wear collection created with my own original prints that grew to include an embellished vintage denim line, all built to spread infectious joy. Through a tight-knit community and high-profile partnerships with Bloomingdales, Faena Hotel, and Terez, I grew the brand for 5 years into something truly special… until I realized my dream no longer served me.
My pivot came from two directions at once. October 7th happened — and like so many in the Jewish community, I found my anxiety quickly rising and the need to do something about it. Painting became my therapy. I made the difficult decision to give up my clothing line and paint full time, while struggling and feeling lost in my career path. And about 6 months later, a local mom posted on Facebook looking for an artist to paint a mural in her workout studio. So many people in the local community tagged me, I went for it – and everything changed.
Today, I create vibrant murals (aka your new selfie wall!) and custom Judaica paintings for women who want to fill their homes with joy and color. My work carries the fingerprints of my past: the repeat patterns and my love of prints, the bold palette of being color obsessed. In a world that needs more Jewish joy, I create pieces that don’t just decorate spaces – they tell your stories and honor traditions. It leaves you feeling ecstatic, proud to share your space, and with that pep in your step all day.
Fashion was never just fashion for me. It was always art.
Now, I get to make it for your walls!
