Behind the Sign (Episode 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ม.ค. 2025
- Behind the Sign is a documentary video series created by Cleveland SGS to highlight the unsung heroes of Cleveland’s small business community. The series focuses on people who have forged their own paths to success, contributing to the city’s identity through grit and perseverance. Their achievements aren’t measured in dollars, but in pride and longevity.
SGS is pleased to present episode one of Behind the Sign, featuring Earl Phillips, owner of U-Need-A-Sign Company. Earl has painted thousands of signs for Cleveland area businesses from his shop on East 131 Street since 1960. Even in this world of immediately accessible, full-color digital printing, Earl’s trademark red, black and white hand-lettered signs still dominate Cleveland’s storefronts. Cleveland would look markedly different in his absence. At 80 years old, Earl is one of Cleveland’s last remaining sign painters.
For affordable, one-of-a-kind handmade signage, visit U-Need-A-Sign Company at 3838 East 131st Street. Remember: a business with no sign is a sign of no business.
Cleveland SGS is a homegrown group of street archivists and artists who, since 2006, have investigated the hidden meaning of Cleveland's commercial narrative, one block at a time. From scrapyards to clothiers, hair care to daycare, and back alleys to bar stools, SGS painstakingly chronicles the homemade imagery that makes up so much of Cleveland's landscape. Drawing heavily on the stories, images and visual vernacular they unearth in their travels, SGS produces video, paintings, and installations deeply entwined with the city's pulse.
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Hes awesome...happy for him..what an artist.
This is really great. I grew up seeing his signs everywhere and always figured it was a bunch of people mimicking the same style. Really amazing. Super interesting dude.
Earl is definitely interesting and amazing. If you are still in the Cleveland area, we encourage you visit Earl and buy yourself a sign. You won't be disappointed.
Came back to watch again...so cool.
My favorite part is the phone on the wall. 02:40 ... God bless you my friend.. awesome work.
I can't say thank you enough for sharing this man's work and story. As a designer in the city this film really inspired me. I could watch this guy paint a sign all day.
You are welcome. Pay him a visit it is worth the trip.
I love seeing these interviews with the old timers. I am a sign painter and guys like him have inspired me throughout the years.
thanks for posting this video!
Thanks. He is inspiring in many ways.
I was in the business for decades. My older brother and father (both deceased now) were also in it. You do really great work!
This is not a lost art. He is selling his signs quite well. I love the hand lettering sign painters. Vinyl does not look good on most signs today . Although schools do not teach this anymore the need for hand lettering is still pretty abundant.
This is awesome we need more youngsters to study under these elders so these arts are not only passed on but saved from being lost forever
"Politicians and Ministers expect you to do their work for nothing"... sums up Clevelands problem pretty well.
Thanks for sharing Earl's story. Hopefully it inspires others to take up sign painting or a the very least encourages businesses to seek out real local commercial artist for their projects... so much soul in the hand painted letter.
this is mad dope. i remember ma dukes gettin a sign made by him for her store. always assumed he was born n raised in cleveland
Thanks, Cedrian X. We appreciate your comment. What store did your mom run?
thanks for making this ,,,great to see the old timers in action always inspiring
We agree with you. Thanks for watching.
I lived right around the corner from this shop most of my life and never realized that it was him that did most of the signs I saw everyday... I always wondered...
J.S., thank you for watching.
Great to watch! Thanks for sharing!!
Hopefully l'll have as much clientelle as you one day. I'm from the Detroit Metro area...alot of signs to be painted, but I'm the "newbie" , only 6 years under my belt...and the only woman that I'm aware of.
Your work is awesome, sir. Thank you for sharing.
So true what he says about contrast. Sometimes I do what people want but it's usually wrong, hahaha! I do it anyway and then they pay more for something that is less effective.
I love his shops name... haha you need a sign co
This is a great video! I sure hope you post (Episode 2).
Awesome!
bravo guys great story!
Any fonts that replicate this style? Love it and the sense of home it brings. 216🙏🏽
Millionaire's Barber Shop, very cool
that was awesome.
Great video segment!
I love his laugh..
HISTORY PURE
Legend
Great video
Lovely. Thanks to Kyle Defoor for the lead.
I always wondered who painted these signs.
Searched but could not find Episode 2. Could you put a link here?
th-cam.com/video/kLXqxrMNK_M/w-d-xo.html
Could you please tell me what is the music that comes in at 1:41?
It's music composed by SGS specifically for this episode.
Cleveland SGS It reminds me of Modern Jazz Quartet. Cool stuff and nice job.
Zackary McDowell Thank you
Wish I could apprentice for this guy