Behind every sign is a story. That’s especially true in Cleveland, where the handmade signs of Earl Phillips, owner of U-Need-A-Sign Company, proliferate the inner city.
Cleveland SGS, which describes itself as a homegrown group of street archivists and artists, aims to spotlight small businesses and unsung heroes like Phillips in its new Behind the Sign video installment.
“Our goal is to bring life to things that people view as being devoid of meaning,” says a representative from the 5-person group Cleveland SGS. “Our efforts are a spiritual exercise; it keeps us sane and betters our chance of getting into paradise. People can support our efforts by engaging a stranger a day in a meaningful conversation.”
The first video, which you can watch here, offers a glimpse into the studio and daily life of Earl Phillips. Since 1960, Phillips has painted thousands of signs for local businesses from his shop on East 131st St. He’s one of the city’s last remaining sign painters and, at age 80, is still going strong thanks to good business ethics and affordable prices. The short video shows him at work doing what he does best — painting signs (take a look at him forming a perfect “S”!) and giving insight on successfully maintaining a business.
The idea for the video series all started with some photographs.
Says Cleveland SGS, “In 2006 we began photographing signs of businesses in Cleveland, primarily because we admired them from a design perspective. We used the visual material that we encountered as inspiration for our installation pieces, writing, and digital artwork.
“We began to meet many of the people who owned the businesses that we were photographing and overtime established relationships with them. All of the owners who had a proven track record of success shared common traits: they were fiercely independent, extraordinarily self-reliant, charming, and willing to flex if need be. These are all traits that we (an organization) admire and think hearing their stories may inspire others to follow the same path.”
Cleveland SGS found Phillips through his storefront, which, painted in contrasting black and yellow, is impossible to miss on E. 131st.
“It is the opinion of Cleveland SGS that East 131 is one of Cleveland’s most underrated thoroughfares; there is ample street-side parking, respectable building stock, and character to boot.
“Earl’s black and yellow frontage is the visual anchor of 131 and inspired us to create our ‘St. Clair’s Finest’ installation at St. Clair Ave. and East 72 Street; we simply had to meet him. He is without a doubt the most prolific sign painter in Cleveland, and without him our city would not look the same. After buying signs from him a couple of times he revealed himself to be very generous man. He was intrigued by our project and agreed to help us out by sitting for an interview.”
Cleveland SGS aims to offer one installment every two months. The next one is in the works, though Cleveland SGS wouldn’t say who will be profiled, only hinting that “if you have not been there, something you own will make it there eventually.
“We are very excited about our next installment.”
Whoever it is, rest assured they have “a proven track record of commercial success, a quality product, and the spirit of determinedness” — all necessary criteria to be profiled in Behind the Sign.
Watch the video and keep an eye out for the next one. Cleveland SGS has an eye for uncovering our city’s true characters and old-school style. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to delve deeper into the pulse of Cleveland.
http://cobras.clevelandsgs.com
Cool Cleveland editor Sarah Valek studied art and writing at Ithaca College. After graduation, she came back to Cle and served two years as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Find her on all sides of the city. Contact her at CoolEditor@CoolCleveland.com or via Twitter.