Registration is open for this year’s Letterheads NZ, the annual brushfest where signwriters from all over New Zealand are joined - "when pandemics permit" - by members of Letterheads Australia and one or two Americans and Europeans.
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| Letterheads 2020 in Christchurch (All images courtesy letterheads.co.nz) |
The Letterheads movement originated in the USA in the 1970s and has spread to a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Netherlands and Norway. Artisans and craftspeople from various disciplines of signmaking come together to share their knowledge,
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| "Mayhem and madness tinged with some brilliance": Andy Lowe, president NZSDA |
“What happens when you get 60 signwriters and artistic types in one workshop…. basically, mayhem and madness tinged with some brilliance,” says Andy Lowe, president of the New Zealand Sign & Display Association (NZSDA), in a blog. “Paint flies, stories are shared, passion is discovered by some and shared by others. Egos are sent packing; learning is in abundance and above all, a great deal of fun and frivolity is had by all. This is Letterheads.”
Letterheads 2021 is being hosted by Clinton Potter of Red Star Signs in Hamilton and will run from 9am Friday 15 October until around 3pm on Sunday 17 October.
“New Zealand has taken the letterheads idea and really run with it, our meetings are usually sell-outs and attract many passionate signwriters who have found over the years that their chosen career has also become a chosen hobby,” Lowe says.
“So, what’s it all about? The traditional techniques of sign manufacture may not be in common use in today’s sign shops but many of us have realised they still have their place and are also great fun to do. I can hand letter a brick wall cheaper and quicker than using ACM sheets etc. Large lettering is also easier and cheaper to create by hand than the use of vinyl so these skills can make you money. The old saying “if you don’t use it …. you lose it” is very apt here, these skills must be shared to keep them alive in the future. Computers, cutters, and digital printers are tools just like the brush, a true tradesman is familiar with all his tools and their use and is always learning.
“A walk amongst the bustling signees, their sign kits packed in around their position on the sign wall, shoulder to shoulder, exposes the eyes to a feast of creative artworks, airbrushing, pinstriping, pictorial work, hand carving, and more, all created as you watch using many different techniques and processes many different to what you may know, which is a great way to learn better ways of doing things. This atmosphere of fun and learning seems to grab people, absorbing them into its magic, promoting the sharing of skills, and putting smiles on every dial.
“At first, it can be a bit intimidating coming amongst all that talent and experience, but you will soon find this will ease as you share and talk with the other signees and realise, they are learning too, we all have things to share, teach and learn. JUST GET IN THERE AND DO IT. Once the egos are removed from the equation the real learning and fun begins.”
Letterheads events are run on a non-profit voluntary basis, there is no board, president, secretary, or official organiser. A fee is charged usually including meals and materials for the 3-day meet. Industry suppliers act as sponsors to help with the costs. Accommodation is at your own cost and booking with venues identified by the host near to their workshop.
“Whether you’re an apprentice, a newbie, or a wise old craftsman, make the decision to get along to the next Letterheads Meet,” says Lowe. “It will change your life if you let it, it has mine. This year’s meet is being hosted by Clinton Potter of Red Star Signs in Hamilton. Visit www.letterheads.co.nz for details and registrations. I look forward to seeing you there.”
