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| 6/30/2009 11:36:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Local artist Shar Ruhnke is designing new signs for Miller. The first of three signs is scheduled to be installed in August. The front, above top, of the first sign will welcome visitors to Miller while the back, above, will welcome visitors to St. Lawrence. |
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Miller will soon sport a new 'Welcome' sign
Ruth A. Moller
After a long period of discussing and planning, the City of Miller will soon boast a new "Welcome to Miller" sign, to be installed east of town on Highway 14. Two more signs are planned for the northwest and south entrances to town, to be erected sometime after the first sign is installed.
The work has been contracted to Stein Sign Display, Inc., of Watertown, S.D., the same company that designed the Miller School sign located in the armory parking lot, and the sign at Miller's Commercial Park.
On Hand Development Corporation's beautification committee is overseeing the project. At the June 1 Miller City Council meeting, the council voted to provide $17,000 a year for a three-year period, to help pay for the three "Welcome to Miller" signs. St. Lawrence will also contribute to the first sign, which has "Welcome to St. Lawrence" on the opposite side.
The committee approached Miller artist Shar Ruhnke to develop the artwork.
For the first sign, Ruhnke has created a painting with a pheasant rising above a cornfield, a dog and hunter, and a barn in the distance. On the opposite side, "Welcome to St. Lawrence" depicts such familiar landmarks as the church steeple, the water tower and Dakota Ag elevators.
Ruhnke explains that the figures in her original designs will be cut and shaped out of foam, creating a 3-D effect. She will then paint the figures.
The foam comes from Signs By Benchmark, Watertown. A composite sign combines expanded polystyrene and a polyurea hard coat to create a seamless surface that is strong and durable, and will not rust or rot. The signs can then be finished with textures such as faux brick or stone, stucco and a variety of other choices.
Ruhnke says the base of the sign will be coated with a stucco-like finish. The top of the sign will feature a molding to encase her artwork. Each painting will be a 5x10 foot rectangle.
The top section of the sign is scheduled to be delivered to Ruhnke by July 20 so she can do the painting. Hopes are that "Sign #1" can be installed sometime in August.
Each sign will be designed to show scenes representative of the area, and to make visitors and residents alike feel "welcome" as they come into town.
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