Photo:
Butera School of Art, sign department catalog, year and photographer unknown
Over the last couple of years I've been following developments at the
Signpainter Movie project in the USA. It is an independently produced film that will chart the history and work of America's remaining craftsmen (due for release next year). They have been diligently cataloguing their primary research interviews on
their blog as they've journeyed across the country in search of the fascinating stories that often accompany the signpainter and his work. These encounters have included meeting myriad signpainters such as
Keith Knecht, the team at
Colossal Media, a
visit to the American Sign Museum, and time to stop and study some of the articles and books on the subject (including
this one).
News via email today is twofold. First is that they have completed their filming and are now entering the edit for the final film. Second is that there will be
a book to accompany the release of the film.
I think that the project is a fantastic idea and I can't wait to see the end results which will document the collective knowledge and experience of signpainters in the states. They will also hopefully help to raise the profile of this enduring craft, which I hope can continue to survive for years to come.
Look out for news of the film's release some time next year and, in the meantime, you can keep up with the project via
the blog, their
Facebook page and their
Twitter stream. You can also support the film's funding by buying one of
their recently released t-shirts which encourage us all to 'support your local signpainter'.
