By MARY ELLEN KALUZA
The May Day Cafe sign design has changed a few times over the years. The story of the first sign that covered up the former Powderhorn Community Co-op sign is lost to memory. Two highly skilled and creative sign painters are behind the subsequent charming variations: Phil Vandervaart created the first with the sunflower in the coffee cup, and collaborated with Forrest Wozniak (http://www.forrestwozniak.com/#info) on the current sign.
Phil, an iconic artist, has been sign painting since the 1970’s. His work is EVERYWHERE in Minneapolis and beyond. You can’t leave the house without passing one of his signs, like the original Welna Hardware Store on Bloomington Avenue, the Cedar Cultural Center, the Hard Times Cafe on the West Bank, and so many more. His work has appeared on government buildings, churches, bars, the American Swedish Institute…the list is endless. See his portfolio at http://www.signpainterphil.wordpress.com.
Forrest began apprenticing with Phil in the early 2000’s. He soon made sign painting his career and now has his own impressive portfolio of signs around town. It warmed my heart to see Uncle Hugo’s and Uncle Edgar’s Bookstores’ sign from the old burned Chicago Avenue location in Forrest’s portfolio. Browse his portfolio at forrestwozniak.com/#info.
The two painters continue to collaborate on projects and are featured in Sign Painters, a documentary film released in 2013. Available to watch online at http://www.signpaintersfilm.com/#watch.
And be sure to watch the TPT MN Original about Phil at http://www.tpt.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/mn-original-vandervaart/mn-original-sign-painter-phil-vandervaart/. You’ll be a forever fan of our local sign painters.
Mary Ellen Kaluza lives, works, and gardens in Phillips.
