"Past Meets Present: Signs from Hand-Painted to Digital" to Be Theme of October 11 Conference at OU

“Past Meets Present: Signs from Hand-Painted to Digital” will be the theme of the National Signage Research & Education Conference (NSREC), scheduled for Oct. 11 at the University of Oklahoma.

“It’s only fitting that such an event should be held here in Oklahoma,” said Charles Graham, dean of the University of Oklahoma, College of Architecture. “Signage is a part of our Oklahoma heritage. We created the yield sign, and many iconic landmarks of Route 66 are based solely in this state. Despite the ups and downs of the country, these have remained a constant on our landscape, evoking nostalgia and intrigue for decades.

“With the continuing development of downtown Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma,” he continued, “we have seen our urban areas become hotspots for revelers; locals and visitors who see our state heritage and feel the same way toward these landmarks as previous generations did. Oklahomans are known for their innovation and ‘Sooner spirit,’ and this conference will certainly highlight the progress and tradition on which we pride ourselves.”

The OU College of Architecture is collaborating on the conference with the Signage Foundation Inc., which was established in 2002 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to documenting, through research and distribution, the educational, economic, societal and philanthropic purposes and benefits of on-premise signage.

“The Signage Foundation is a really engaging organization that seeks to sponsor academic research on topics of mutual interest to the sign industry and local policymakers,” said Dawn Jourdan, director of the Regional and City Planning Division. “It is an important opportunity for all of the divisions within the OU College of Architecture to interface with national and regional leaders on the subject of on-premise commercial signs. This year’s conference will embrace the power of signs as a part of heritage tourism and placemaking, nodding to Oklahoma’s rich history and progressive future.”

“The Signage Foundation is excited about its current collaboration with the University of Oklahoma for the 2015 National Signage Research & Education Conference,” said Duane Laska, chairman of the board for the Signage Foundation. “The integration of the regional, cultural and OU cross-disciplinary leadership offers a unique forum for conference dialogue and research presentation on the theme of ‘Past Meets Present: Signs from Hand-painted to Digital’.”

For more information, an overview of the topical sessions and a listing of the knowledge leaders who will be presenting, visit the Signage Foundation website, www.thesignagefoundation.org.