Turning vintage signs into art and art into a city's legacy

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     Commercial signage is far from “merely” commercial. Signs reflect the tastes and fashions, the technologies, and often the humor of their times. They are records not only of the enterprises they are created to identify and promote, but also of the individuals who create them—the artists and artisans who conceive, craft, engineer, paint, electrify, and install them: specialists in type design, the graphic and decorative arts, metalwork and stonework and neon. Above all, they are mirrors of human culture—of our communal aspirations, the growth and changes in our society. 

     Such signatures of Boise’s past include the Hotel Boise’s illuminated extravaganza—as much a monument to its era’s fascination with the possibilities of electric light as to the sumptuous Deco building it identified; and Royal Optical’s giant eyeglasses, which may well have instilled in many a child a sense of being watched for good (or bad) behavior; and the original signage from the original Bouquet in its original location, invoking times when the bar’s Basque proprietor and boxing champ regularly provided free lunch for those down on their luck. These signs and many others constitute not only public art in its most fundamental sense, but also function symbolically, their preservation an important means to restore a sense of its history to the city. 

     Signs of Our Times is an ongoing project that will showcase Boise history, art, and culture in a way that will attract the attention of all who visit downtown Boise. People with long-time ties to the city will reflect on its past, and perhaps their own; others will learn about businesses and landmarks that helped define an earlier Boise, and Boise as it is today. All will enjoy the dazzling color, light, and design that will liven the heart of the city.

     A team comprised of community members, visual artists, sign specialists, architects, historians, city planners and developers will determine the artistic and historic relevance of each sign, and collaborate to select installation sites best suited to the various pieces in this growing collection. Primary objectives are to:

• Create public art installations utilizing historic signs, and architectural elements;
• Return vintage signs to operating businesses (e.g., The Cub Tavern) and original signage to historic register buildings (e.g., Idanha);
• Restore significant signs which are in their original location (e.g., Olympic Hotel and Sav on Cafe); 

     In addition to restoration of the signs a preservation endowment covering long-term maintenance and insurance, will be established.