Sandpoint’s Home for Quality Kitchenware & Zwilling J.A. Henckels Knives! Beth Pederson, outside her sign-painting studio, above; and inset, an old and beloved sign from days gone by. PHOTO BY BILLIE JEAN GERKE
studio on the corner of Ruth and Chestnut, where it remains to this day. Nearly 40 years later, Pederson is still playing music, can boast of being the longest-running sign painter in town, and still hews to the same basic techniques; in an era of digital reproduction – and perfection – hers are one-of-a-kind, hand-lettered creations. “Just the physical motion of lettering with a good brush is what is really enjoyable about it,” she said. “It has a lot more character than any digital graphic does. It just has a more real feel to it, visually.” For proof, look to some of Sandpoint’s most recognizable signs: Ivano’s and Spuds, on First Avenue; the Bonner County EMS logo; The Little Olive Restaurant, on Second Avenue; the Cedar Street Public Market façade; even the routered, wooden Condo del Sol sign – all, and about 1,000 more over the years, were crafted by B. Pederson Signs. “Aesthetically, some people like the style of a hand-lettered sign because it’s fun,” Pederson said. “For me it is just more personal. It has a personal feel; it’s more connected with the business.” It’s also more connected to Sandpoint, which perhaps more so than any other local artist, has been Pederson’s personal palette. –Zach Hagadone
Making Chickens Nervous for over 250 years.
Kitchen art with a smile by Sandpoint artist Jan Welle
FRITZ’S FRYPAN
Corner of 1st & Cedar Street Downtown Sandpoint 208-255-1863 Open 7 days Mon - Sat 9 - 6 p.m. • Sun 10 - 4 p.m.
ARCHER vacation condos On Lake Pend Oreille
(509) 382-2954 10Kvacationrentals.com/sandpoint/ SUMMER 2014
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