In 2020, Luke Haynes partnered with mental health activist, public artist, and writer Nicole Leth—who is also his wife—to merge her anonymous acts of compassion with his handmade quilts. Together, they created the Affirmation Quilts project, a collaborative public art initiative in which one-of-a-kind quilts featuring hand-painted affirmations are left anonymously in public spaces across the country.

Each quilt is entirely handmade by Luke and features a hand-lettered original phrase written by Nicole. Sewn into the bottom corner of every piece is a small note explaining that whoever finds the quilt is welcome to take it, keep it, or pass it along. The project is intentionally anonymous, with no names or identifying information attached, and every quilt is offered freely as a gesture of unconditional care.

The project quickly gained international attention and sparked the global #AffirmationQuilt and #QuiltsForHumans movements, inspiring artists and communities around the world to create and leave their own handmade affirmation quilts in public spaces.

Luke and Nicole continue to create and distribute Affirmation Quilts across the globe, using their art to offer moments of comfort, hope, and human connection.