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American Sign Museum Opening

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

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Tod Swormstedt
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:32 am
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American Sign Museum Opening

Post by Tod Swormstedt »

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Rick Glawson Rawson & Evans pieces, acquired from his estate with donations primarily from individual Letterheads, has finally arrived in Cincinnati. We will be carefully (and temporarily) unpacking the pieces to check condition.
Secondly, the Museum will be open to the Public beginning October 1 . . . although anyone traveling through Cincinnati is certainly welcome to give me a call (night or day) for a personal preview tour. It will not be finished by October 1, but there will be plenty to see. The official press release follows:

Museum to Open for Public Tours October 1
Globes will be spinning, lights will be flashing, neon will be humming, and the Big Boy will be smiling when the American Sign Museum opens its doors to the public October 1-2, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Essex Studios Fall Open House. Essex Studios is home to the American Sign Museum Workshop, as the Museum has officially designated its facility, and more than 50 artists working in a variety of media who will also be opening their doors during the Fall Open House.
The opening will be highlighted by the unveiling of “Signs on Main Street,â€￾ a prototype exhibit sponsored by the International Sign Association, and a timeline history of the sign industry, as told through the evolution of three-dimensional letters, sponsored by Gemini, Inc. of Cannon Falls, MN. The Museum Workshop will also include two sign gallery areas where you can view both restored signs and signs waiting to be restored. American Sign Museum President, Tod Swormstedt, will be on hand to give public tours during the two-day open house.
The Museum Workshop encompasses a 3800 sq. ft. area staging area, an 800 sq. ft. open lobby display space and an adjacent room of 1100 sq. ft. where Bill Dundas—resident sign restorer— works his magic restoring many of the signs that comprise the Museum’s growing collection. The overflow of restored signs are being stored in a third room.
The Museum’s “paper archives,â€￾ including its library of books and vintage catalogs, artwork, blueprints and photos, will continue to be housed at nearby ST Media Group offices until all the pieces can be brought together in a suitable setting for the Museum proper. ST Media Group, publisher of the sign industry bible, Signs of the Times magazine since 1906, has been a strong advocate of the American Sign Museum since its inception.
Current discussions with Cincinnati’s planning and zoning departments will hopefully soon allow an outdoor gallery in the Essex Studios parking lot where some of the Museum’s larger signs can be displayed. Also in the works is a display area honoring the contributions of Rick Glawson, former Museum board member and beloved friend and mentor to many fledgling and veteran signpainters. The area will honor the art of gilding and signpainting that Glawson was so instrumental in preserving. Letterheads and friends of the late Glawson’s donated more than $14,000 so that a collection of select Rawson and Evans glass pieces could be purchased from the Glawson estate.
A formal Grand Opening gala has been announced for April 28, 2005. For more information about the American Sign Museum and the Workshop opening, or to arrange a private tour, call
513-421-2050, ext. 336 or 513-258-4020. You can also visit the website: www.signmuseum.org

The Museum will continually evolve and I'm already concerned about having outgrown our existing space of approximately 6000 sq. ft. Thanks to all of you for your support over the past several years!
Tod Swormstedt
American Sign Museum
Kent Smith

Sign Museum

Post by Kent Smith »

Just had a preview today and it is going to be great by Oct. Kudos to Tod for his vision and dedicaiton.
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