American Sign Museum

American Sign Museum
2515 Essex Place
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
(800) 925-1110
(513) 258-4020, ext. 336
Fax: (513) 421-5144
E-mail: tod@signmuseum.org

Grand Opening
The American Sign Museum officially opened its doors on April 28.
Signs of the Times magazine, June 2005
By Tod Swormstedt

An estimated 400 visitors celebrated the Grand Opening of the American Sign Museum at the Essex Studio facility (Cincinnati) on April 28. Sign-industry representatives and the general public were treated to a mid-afternoon reception of food, drink and live bluegrass music before the official ribbon cutting.

Honored museum partners who helped open the museum included Lori Anderson, president/CEO of the International Sign Assn. (ISA); Ebbie Phillips, Tyson Sign Systems Inc. (Myrtle Beach, SC) and ISA chairman; Jim Weinel, Gemini Inc. (Cannon Falls, MN); and Dave and Jerry Swormstedt, ST Media Group Intl. Reception co-sponsors included Reece Supply Co. (Dallas), Roland DGA Corporation (Irvine, CA), and Wagner Zip-Change Inc. (Melrose Park, IL).

Tod Swormstedt cuts the ribbon as Building Partner Awardees look on. From left: (front row) Ebbie Phillips, chairman of ISA; Jerry Swormstedt, retired CEO of ST Media Group Intl.; Lori Anderson, president/CEO of ISA; Jim Weinel, president, Gemini, Inc. (Cannon Falls, MN); and Dave Swormstedt, retired, ST Media Group. The museum's Board watches from the back.

Although visitors to last October's "soft opening" had toured the Essex Studios site, Grand Opening guests saw the completed displays. Newly unveiled areas included the "Sign Garden" lobby, where the reception convened; "The Art of Gilding," a memorial to former trustee Rick Glawson, Fine Gold Sign and Esoteric Sign Supply; and the Gemini-sponsored, sign-industry timeline history, told through the evolution of 3-D letters. A temporary display featured the showcards of Bob Harper, a 60-year sign veteran known for his Reno and Las Vegas work, who presently resides in Kansas City, MO.

Susan and John Lamb (center), retired president of Cincinnati Sign Supplies, pose with the Lifetime Membership Award John received in honor of his sign-industry service. Win Swormstedt (far left), Tod Swormstedt (top) and Wade Swormstedt (far right) look on.

The program opened with Master of Ceremonies Wade Swormstedt, ST's editor and publisher, expounding on the museum's mission and educational potential for creating awareness about signs' craftsmanship, design and value. He and I acknowledged the significant support of the museum's three major benefactors.

ST Media Group received the Industry Pioneer and Founding Partner award for providing the museum's seed money in 1999, and its continuing support over the last six years. The gilded glass piece (designed and fabricated by Suze and David Butler, Butler Design Agency, North Syracuse, IN) was presented to ST Media Group's major stockholders Win Ahrens, Dave Swormstedt and Jerry Swormstedt.

An estimated 400 celebrated the Grand Opening.

Gemini's Jim and Sharon Weinel were honored with the Founding Partner Award for their sponsorship of the 3-D-letter timeline display, and for their major financial support, which enabled the design and construction of the exhibits and displays at the museum's current Essex Studios site.

ISA representatives Lori Anderson and Ebbie Phillips accepted the Building Partner Award for the association's sponsorship of the "Signs on Main Street" display and its pledge of continuing support of the museum's Building Fund.

Bob Harper, retired showcard artist currently living in Kansas City, MO, was honored with an exhibit of his work and a Lifetime Membership Award.

Special Lifetime Membership Awards were presented to: Kozell Boren, SigntroniX Inc. (Torrance, CA); Lola Grey (Wilmington, CA); Bob Harper; John Johnson, Johnson & Associates (Alexandria, VA) and museum trustee; John Lamb, retired former owner of Cincinnati Sign Supplies Inc. (Cincinnati); Tony Maier, United-Maier Signs Inc. (Cincinnati); Mike Marston, Randall Marston & Assoc. (Mason, OH); Dave Souder, (Melbourne, FL); and Win and Dave Swormstedt.

The evening's festivities closed with a sold-out dinner cruise on the Ohio River.

ISA's Ebbie Phillips and Lori Anderson (center, flanked by Wade and Tod) presented a $100,000 check to the museum's Building Fund. The contribution is part of a three-year pledge.

Thanks to coordinator Lenny Diaspro, Cincinnati Sign Supplies, the First Annual American Sign Museum Open scramble went off the next morning at Sharon Woods Golf Course. More than 50 participants braved the overcast, misty weather to take part in the fundraiser. The event was sponsored by Tubelite Co. (Apopka, FL); Gerber Scientific Products (South Windsor, CT); and Federal Heath Sign LLC (Oceanside, CA). Forty-four sign companies, product manufacturers and distributors stepped up to sponsor golf holes.

The Grand Opening was dedicated to the memory of Founding Trustees Rick Glawson and Steve Izenour, Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates (Philadelphia).

A featured exhibit sponsored by founding partner Gemini, the timeline of the sign industry is told through 3-D letters. The explanatory graphic was designed by ST's Senior Art Director Jeff Russ.