‘Neighborhood News’ Archives
Behind the Signs
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 [...]
