Categories: DesignNon-Electric Signs

Ghost in the Machine

When The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington (KY) first became aware of their new building’s façade, (revealed during demolition of an adjacent structure) they knew they had uncovered a gem. The 19th-century ghost sign presented a unique opportunity to enhance the center’s core mission of “creative place-making,” leveraging creativity to strengthen a community.

To that end, the façade was integrated fully into the building’s exterior design.

Open since 2016, the former lumber mill serves as an incubator for local “makers.” The building houses offices, artists’ studios and 3,000 sq. ft. of public event space. It is used for everything from gallery openings to tax seminars for low-income local residents.

The stabilized ghost sign integrates the center into the community in an authentic way, and also connects the center’s past to its future.

Jeff Russ

Jeff Russ is a content studio manager for SmartWork Media and was the senior art director of Signs of the Times from 1996-2021. A graphic designer and illustrator with an interest in sign design and sign history, Jeff documents important, interesting and notable design trends in the sign industry as a contributor to Signs of the Times. He has written dozens of features for Signs, and his column, Design Matters, was published for more than a decade.