The exhibition graphics for American Storybook at the Speed Art Museum combined custom typography and sign painting with elaborate patterns to pay homage to the artist’s other job as a sign painter, and the decorating style of the time.
- Client Speed Art Museum
- Design Carrie Scrufari
- Painting Kirby Stafford
The title wall was hand painted by Kirby Stafford, since the artist featured in the exhibition, Thomas Chambers, was himself a sign painter as well as a fine artist.
The pencil lines were intentionally left visible to speak to the process of sign painting.
The interior of the exhibition was designed in the style of “American Fancy,” an over-the-top décor style popular in the period of Thomas Chambers. The space included a custom wallpaper pattern as well as photographs of rugs reproduced in vinyl on the floor.
Most museums use vinyl, or stencils and paint to apply title walls, so having the entire wall custom painted by hand was a special nod to the focus of this exhibition.