Behind the Sign (Episode 1)

Рет қаралды 54,829

9 жыл бұрын

Behind the Sign is a documentary video series created by Cleveland SGS to highlight the unsung heroes of Cleveland’s small business community. The series focuses on people who have forged their own paths to success, contributing to the city’s identity through grit and perseverance. Their achievements aren’t measured in dollars, but in pride and longevity.
SGS is pleased to present episode one of Behind the Sign, featuring Earl Phillips, owner of U-Need-A-Sign Company. Earl has painted thousands of signs for Cleveland area businesses from his shop on East 131 Street since 1960. Even in this world of immediately accessible, full-color digital printing, Earl’s trademark red, black and white hand-lettered signs still dominate Cleveland’s storefronts. Cleveland would look markedly different in his absence. At 80 years old, Earl is one of Cleveland’s last remaining sign painters.
For affordable, one-of-a-kind handmade signage, visit U-Need-A-Sign Company at 3838 East 131st Street. Remember: a business with no sign is a sign of no business.
Cleveland SGS is a homegrown group of street archivists and artists who, since 2006, have investigated the hidden meaning of Cleveland's commercial narrative, one block at a time. From scrapyards to clothiers, hair care to daycare, and back alleys to bar stools, SGS painstakingly chronicles the homemade imagery that makes up so much of Cleveland's landscape. Drawing heavily on the stories, images and visual vernacular they unearth in their travels, SGS produces video, paintings, and installations deeply entwined with the city's pulse.
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Пікірлер: 44

@robertdufour2456 Жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@ScotCampbellwindowpainter 5 жыл бұрын

Came back to watch again...so cool.

@coc3000 9 жыл бұрын

This is really great. I grew up seeing his signs everywhere and always figured it was a bunch of people mimicking the same style. Really amazing. Super interesting dude.

@ClevelandSGS 9 жыл бұрын

Earl is definitely interesting and amazing. If you are still in the Cleveland area, we encourage you visit Earl and buy yourself a sign. You won't be disappointed.

@yemarican Жыл бұрын

My favorite part is the phone on the wall. 02:40 ... God bless you my friend.. awesome work.

@ktoth29 8 жыл бұрын

"Politicians and Ministers expect you to do their work for nothing"... sums up Clevelands problem pretty well.

@jinx2162k 9 жыл бұрын

I can't say thank you enough for sharing this man's work and story. As a designer in the city this film really inspired me. I could watch this guy paint a sign all day.

@ClevelandSGS 9 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Pay him a visit it is worth the trip.

@1-shotslinger108 9 жыл бұрын

This is not a lost art. He is selling his signs quite well. I love the hand lettering sign painters. Vinyl does not look good on most signs today . Although schools do not teach this anymore the need for hand lettering is still pretty abundant.

@solucionesgraficasarabl5770 2 жыл бұрын

HISTORY PURE

@nickknight9443 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Earl's story. Hopefully it inspires others to take up sign painting or a the very least encourages businesses to seek out real local commercial artist for their projects... so much soul in the hand painted letter.

@Retrosigns1 7 жыл бұрын

I love seeing these interviews with the old timers. I am a sign painter and guys like him have inspired me throughout the years. thanks for posting this video!

@ClevelandSGS 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. He is inspiring in many ways.

@awakenoner 3 жыл бұрын

Legend

@FadedGroup1 9 жыл бұрын

This is awesome we need more youngsters to study under these elders so these arts are not only passed on but saved from being lost forever

@ShakespeareCafe 4 жыл бұрын

Millionaire's Barber Shop, very cool

@TJ-vl2zl 3 жыл бұрын

I love his laugh..

@ryans2kidz 2 жыл бұрын

I was in the business for decades. My older brother and father (both deceased now) were also in it. You do really great work!

@j.s.spearmon9338 9 жыл бұрын

I lived right around the corner from this shop most of my life and never realized that it was him that did most of the signs I saw everyday... I always wondered...

@ClevelandSGS 9 жыл бұрын

J.S., thank you for watching.

@ScotCampbellwindowpainter 9 жыл бұрын

So true what he says about contrast. Sometimes I do what people want but it's usually wrong, hahaha! I do it anyway and then they pay more for something that is less effective.

@CedrianX 8 жыл бұрын

this is mad dope. i remember ma dukes gettin a sign made by him for her store. always assumed he was born n raised in cleveland

@ClevelandSGS 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Cedrian X. We appreciate your comment. What store did your mom run?

@providencepaintedsigns7015 9 жыл бұрын

thanks for making this ,,,great to see the old timers in action always inspiring

@ClevelandSGS 9 жыл бұрын

We agree with you. Thanks for watching.

@wheelwatcher 9 жыл бұрын

that was awesome.

@joelamore-streetartmuralsi1229 3 жыл бұрын

Great to watch! Thanks for sharing!!

@marykleinstiver1146 8 жыл бұрын

Hopefully l'll have as much clientelle as you one day. I'm from the Detroit Metro area...alot of signs to be painted, but I'm the "newbie" , only 6 years under my belt...and the only woman that I'm aware of. Your work is awesome, sir. Thank you for sharing.