The Action Upscale Cultural Community Thrift Store: Philanthropic Design Fail

This past semester I was really digging on my lettering course, but also feeling compelled to connect more directly with my community, and maybe even help somebody with my work. So, for my final, I decided to try and unite my aesthetic, passionate interest in lettering with philanthropy and community focused design. I set out to create an old-fashioned hand painted sign, for one of the many well meaning organizations in Baltimore with less than wonderful signage. After some research, I decided on “The Action Upscale Cultural Community Thrift Store,” a secondhand store nearby my apartment, run by volunteers, that puts on programs for “women, youth, young adults, and the elderly”.

I spoke with the proprietors, asked them what they would want from a sign, and let them know I intended to donate one to them. A month of sketching, lettering and painting later, I had this four foot tall A-frame sign, gilded with gold leaf no less! (My first attempt at the laborious process)

The sign is certainly not perfect, as it was my first shot at gilding and sign painting, but it’s a long shot better than what the AUCCTS already had, and with its solid wood construction, enamel lettering, and polyurethane finish, should have lasted them a very long time. However, a day or two after my final review in class, just before I could deliver the sign, the thrift store was tragically destroyed by a fire. According to their website, they are trying to get it up and running soon.

I have contacted the organization to let them know that I still intend to donate the sign. Hopefully they can get the store reopened soon, and it would be really cool if my sign could help draw in some business on opening day. I will post updates on the situation as it progresses.