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I was invited to a function here in my town where they are trying to preserve old historical sites.
They have recently restored one old home to it's Civil War time glory. VERY impressive, btw...
The person who invited me (a client) introduced me to everyone as a 'muralist who has experience in doing historical murals in the US and Canada' (well, some experience)
They are VERY excited about the idea of starting a historical mural project here in Benicia...this town (pop 35,000) is steeped in History (first state capitol of CA, hangout for John Steinbeck and Jack London, fortress guarding gold traveling down river from Sacramento to San Francisco, etc...)
Now they want to introduce me to local congressmen, dignitaries, the Queen ...forpetesake....
Gee! I only worked on a mural or two!!!
So......seeing as I haven't got a CLUE as to what this will entail......
Any insight from you walldoggers on what it would take to get you to come to California to do a meet next year?
They say they will find sponsorship, perks, accommodations, etc. So it would be worth your while.
They will do all the legwork and deal with the red tape...me? I have no idea what I'm supposed to do...oh, maybe find the walldogs?
Weather here is milder than most parts of the Bay Area....we are 15 minutes from the Napa Wine country....35 minutes from San Francisco....
A (This post was edited for the attentionally challenged) ------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs "Wherever you go...there you are!" www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'on chat
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Adrienne, the broad approach to your task is to ask the question "Who are your natural allies" and "What's in it for them". You have started in that direction by asking Letterheads who we all know love to go out and paint just because they love to paint.
Go back and look at Steve's post on Kiwanis and think about that in the context of your community. You have Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptimists, and other groups who exist primary to improve their community while having fun at it. Sounds sort of like Letterheads, doesn't it? Also, every town has staff planners who tend to be very organized people who are good about laying out schedules and putting together lists of everything that has to be done and when.
There are other natural allies locally if you think about it a little bit.
There is nothing at all wrong with you telling them you do not have the organizational skill to pull it off by yourself, but that you would be pleased to be a member of the committee that does the planning.
As you know, I am not an artist by any definition, but I will offer some of my time in a planning an organizing capacity after October of this year.
I think you have started the bobsled down the hill, and you are in for an exciting ride! Have fun! Vic G
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Thanks Victor...the client who is getting this going is very experienced with this community, knows all the right people and how to put an event like this on....whew, thank goodness! I couldn't lead a party to the grocery store for a loaf of bread if my life depended on it....but I could paint ya a picture of a loaf of bread!
Juz put de brush in my hand and tell me what wall ta paint....... A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs "Wherever you go...there you are!" www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'on chat
posted
Hi Adrienne. Remember that workshop in Cornwall you attended..."Community Involvement"? Any of those folks on the panel, or the eminent moderator, I'm sure would be able & willing to supply you with a wealth of information about setting up a walldog meet. They've ALL had past experience.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
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Hi Adrienne... It's a big deal to host a full fledged walldog or letterhead meet. It's also very expensive. You will definitely need a close knit team of volunteers to help you...like your tourism or chamber people. Financing is another consideration. Our meet cost almost $200,000 to put on...much of which we received as donations in materials and time from our citizens and suppliers. If you're half crazy, and have a yearly prescription of prozac, then I say go for it. Build it and they will come. You could also do one or two murals a year rather than nine to start with...
------------------ Walldog Jam June 7-10/01 Sign It Signs Nancy Beaudette Cornwall, Ontario nancy@signit-signs.com
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The girls from Cornwall, Jay Allen and Steve Estes are all veterans of wall dog organizing. They can be a great help. I had the time of my life in Cornwall, Belvedere and Kentucky. This is a great community service that they can have that will not cost them any labor.
------------------ Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. Little Ferry, NJ billsr@riedelsignco.com
Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Pat...that would be chicken soup here!! hehe!
Honestly, I had no idea this was going to happen.....I just mentioned what we did in Cornwall, showed her a few pics and now everyone's getting excited!
I know it will be extreamly time consuming, expensive and hard work...I'm lazy, disorganized and broke ...so I can't say I will be doing much more than trying to stay outta the way.....
Actually, i think it would be a blast....these people seem like they know what they are doing, and already know they need sponsorship as well as community involvement.
If they will get it together, I will do what I can to get the walldogs out here. I plan on asking a lot of questions. Thanks, heads! A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs "Wherever you go...there you are!" www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'on chat
posted
Hi Adrienne! Our esteemed Mayor, Mr. Shortreed alerted me to this post, and gave me the opportunity to be of service. You have a unique opportunity offered to you, and the excitement and community involvement that is present can carry this idea to a finish. There are many steps to take to get a Walldog event prepared, but it is doable. Over the years the letterheads have learned some "tricks" to the Walldog meet. I would be glad to help you in your organizational efforts. My phone is 270-395-7356, and my e-mail is signstudio@hcis.net. Nancy Bennett is the Queen of the Walldogs, and she will help. ( she will also send me a blistering e-mail today ) Jay Allen will also help you. He will also talk your arm off. Take notes. Nancy and Noella have already replied, and I am sure will offer much. Rick Dolphins in Nebraska has done a Walldog Event with a couple of different twists, and I'm sure that he too would be helpful. Good luck. Sounds like a real winner!
------------------ Steve Estes Sign Studio Calvert City, Ky 42029
Posts: 185 | From: possum trot ky usa | Registered: Apr 1999
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A, what you're possibly entering into is part of a plan that Crazy Jack and I and a few others have been talking about. Call Jack and lets see where it goes?
Also, a meet doesn't need to be of the proportions of two hundred grand. The meets we've hosted took alot more time than money. If this can pan out, there's a lot of help for you. Benicia seems like a perfect location. Lets make it capitol again!
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'll be somewhat brief as Steve Estes has already blown my cover. (But at least I have something worthwhile to say, Steve. At least I thought I did!!)
When Nancy Bennett started all this Walldog stuff back in 1993 I don't think she ever envisioned what would start to take place. It is safe to say, however - after giving life and limb to my hometown - that this needs to be as much about illustrating the value of art, signs, and large format "murals" (though I do think we are creating "large signs" rather than true "murals") more than anything else. It still must be of benefit to the town - but don't forget about the "bully pulpit" you will be afforded. You need to emphasize the importance of the sign business along the way. (It's part of the price they pay for the meet!!)
Over time you will also begin to see the greater good it serves in showing the young people of a community how adults can work together - plus, indoctrinate them about the virtues of our craft (or murals) and perhaps keep that memory alive in their town so they continue the project when they grow into adulthood. It is amazing to me how prevalent murals have become in our area now - all since the Belvidere meet back in '97. Schools, government bodies, businesses - there is no end to people's appreciation for this art form. We are continuing in Belvidere with mostly "antique advertising sign" type murals as they seem to hold the readers interest longer than a purely pictorial mural - which too often offers little or no explanation of the content.
One thing you must take into consideration - any large meet will severely hurt your finances if you are a small shop. If you don't have support staff to assist you, you'll lose your business. I can tell you that I am still smarting from what our meet cost me in time and money - after four years even!! It depletes you - but can be the most exhilarating thing you ever do. But you must be prepared for the financial loss that WILL occur. Even partnering with a Chamber of Commerce or city group will cost you customers when you are off attending meetings - or conducting the actual meet. It needs to be in the hands of many people to make it work - and you must delegate duties.
I am always here to talk to. As are the other past "hosts" of Walldog meets. Each one was unique - but still had the same associated problems. Rely on those offering assistance if you are serious. It's a big deal these days if you do it right. It can also be devastating if you do it wrong.
Jay
------------------ Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius
Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mayor Steve alerted me to this post also and I'm enclosing a list of things that you may have to deal with. How many murals? Size? How many days will it take? Painted on buildings(not recommended if buildings are historic and haven't been painted before) or panels? Painted on site or in enclosed facility? Ground level or at installation level? Installation of murals? Insurance? Who is responsible for long range maintenance of murals? Who will get written permission from building owners? Who is responsible for design in the community? Who determines what subject matter, size, and where they will be installed? Reference materials? Mailings of reference materials to project leaders? Are there sign codes? City council approval? Scaffolding? Ladders? Paint, thinners, brushes, layout markers,hand cleaners, gloves, rags, paper towels, tapes,containers for mixing paint, stir sticks? Tables for supplies? Who will deal with garbage? Cost? Plastic for floors, tables, sidewalks, etc.? Projected art or patterns? Who is responsible for prepping the walls? Will you have seminars, vendors, suppliers and project panels or will this just be a walldog project? Do you want this to be a community festival or walldog meet? Who will be the project leaders? These are key people. If they won't perform, you will be the responsible one (not likely, but possible) Food, housing, toilets, drinks, fees, registrations, t-shirts, promotional items, door prizes, logo art for the event? Fundraising? What is the budget? Will the community cash flow it? Will the community do a walking tour or other promotion of the murals after the event? Who is responsible for promotion and news coverage of the event? Who owns the art? How much time and money (out of pocket and lost revenue from working on this event and not being able to do your own work) are you able and willing to contribute to the project? The rewards for doing an event like this are very great, but the financial and physical toll will be enormous. If your heart is in it, give it a go. You will get a lot of help from your friends and will have made an invaluable contribution for your community, the arts and the walldogs. Good luck, Adrienne.
------------------ Nancy B. Bennett dannco@se-iowa.net Dannco, Inc. 317 N. 13th St. Centerville, Iowa 52544 641-437-1415
Posts: 95 | From: Centerville, IA, USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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how do you call a walldog? that was your question???
here walldog...come here puppy... i got a treat for you!!! come here dammitt... if you don't come here then i will have to cut off your supply of walldog biscuits!
just kidding adrienne, you have gotten the best advice and i can't do nothing but add a little levity.
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WOW!!!! what a wealth of walldog information (I'm printing this one out,just in case) and I thought my little Duck Soup Splatter Jam was a feat.I have to admit that Nancy,Jay,and Steve sure make it look easy. Of course NONE of this would be possible without the willing Walldogs!Looks like you have just struck the tip(easy)of the ice burg Good Luck and keep us brush slingers updated
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Adrienne, this is Dorsi, remember me? Fellow Spasher turned Sign Franchisee? I've never been to a walldog paint fest but I can certainly wield a brush!! Count me in to paint! Dorsi
------------------ Dorsi Diaz Signs Now Fremont, CA
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