Bethel Arts Presents 'Sign Painters' and Silent Auction

From Bethel Arts:

All The Signs Point To A Great Evening Of Art, Film, Food and Discussion to Benefit Art in Bethel

Bethel Arts, FilmFest52 and Some Things Fishy Catering present "Sign Painters" on Wednesday, April 13th starting at 6:00 p.m. at Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT. The evening will begin with a VIP greenroom reception and silent auction followed by a screening of "Sign Painters", a premiere after party, and Q&A with sign painters from our region. Tickets Are $25.00 and includes: Catered receptions with beer, wine and non-alcholoic beverages, silent auction, film screening and Q&A.

See the trailer here.

We see them almost every day without a second thought. Weathered by time, distinct characteristics shining through, hand-painted signs are a product of a fascinating 150 year-old American history. What was once a common job has now become a highly specialized trade, a unique craft struggling with technological advances. Sign Painters, directed by Faythe Levine & Sam Macon, stylistically explores this unacknowledged art form through anecdotal accounts from artists across the country including Ira Coyne, Bob Dewhurst, Keith Knecht, Norma Jeane Maloney and Stephen Powers. These vanguards of unseen originality are leading a renaissance with a keen creative purpose and exemplify the working class American success story. Sign Painters celebrates those keeping the tradition intact with a bespoke approach and appreciation for a balance between art and commerce.

Faythe Levine works as a independent researcher, artist, photographer, filmmaker and curator. Her work focuses on themes of community, creativity, awareness, process, empowerment and documentation. Levine’s first film and book, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design was published by Princeton Architectural Press. She is currently working on her third book about a pioneer show-woman, Mimi Garneau.

Sign Painters was one of the most successfully screened art films in 2014 with over 80 exclusive events across the globe. The film found incredible support from prominent art organizations, museums and community programs interested in furthering the craft of sign painting, promoting local artists, fundraising, or simply setting up a film night for their community.

Here is a selection of top art organizations who screened
the film:

• AIGA: hosted over 20 screenings to date in Oklahoma, Boston, Detroit, Chattanooga, Kansas City, South Dakota, Tampa Bay and Colorado. Also affiliate chapters from Austin to Arizona, and Nashville to Nebraska, screened the film.

• SEGD: the Industrial Designers at the SEGD showed global support in Toronto, Vancouver, Wellington (NZ) Cincinnati, Kansas City, Washington D.C. and Atlanta.

• GDC: the Canadian design community also championed the film, arranging intimate events in Vancouver, Regina, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

“Sign Painter, which has been put together with equal parts affection and skill by directors Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, is fresh and passionate and unexpected."
– Mark Feeney, Boston Globe

"A cautionary tale about the head-long rush into a technology-driven time and a meditation on what's lost along the way. It is a reminder to look around and recognize the physical history in our presence every day."
– Mary Louise Schumacher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel