Historical sign-painting workshop set Feb. 15-16
The Lewes Historical Society has partnered with artist Brandyn Charlton to conduct a class on designing and rendering an 18th century-style trade sign. Charlton, no stranger to Lewes, has produced several signs for the society’s historic buildings, including the Sussex Tavern, Lewistown Coffee House and the Ryves Holt House. An expert on 18th century trade signs and folk art, Charlton will be instructing the workshop on two separate days at LHS. Classes are open to the public and will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, and Friday, Feb. 16, at 100 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes.
The day-long workshop will include the creation and painting of a 16-by-24-inch sign on a flat wooden board for each attendee. All necessary materials will be available at the class and included in the fee of $140 for nonmembers or $115 for LHS members. Participants are encouraged to choose from one of three historical designs on which to base their own custom sign. Registrants will be contacted by email to provide their design choice before the class.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Each participant should bring their own lunch. To register, go to historiclewes.org/events or call 302-645-7670.
Sign painting is an ancient trade that dates to the third century B.C.E. Early trade signs were a way to communicate to the public what each establishment was selling, using a simple image and a few words, in a world of people with little education. The personality and talent of the sign painter, and the culture of the location often dictated what the sign ultimately looked like.
Today, modern sign painting includes billboards, painted sides of buildings, storefronts, windows and doors. It is also common for private homeowners to have a custom sign to welcome visitors to their property.
