Registration has opened for this year’s Letterheads NZ - the annual 'brushfest' where signwriters from all over New Zealand are joined by members of Letterheads Australia and ‘one or two’ Americans and Europeans.
The Letterheads movement originated in the USA in the 1970s and has spread to a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The UK, The Netherlands and Norway. Artisans and craftspeople from various disciplines of signmaking come together to share their knowledge with anyone who is prepared to watch, listen, learn or experiment.
“It is in this way that an appreciation for the traditional craft of signmaking is passed on from the elder statesmen to the present practitioners to ensure that these arts and crafts are not lost to the digital age, and to this end all people with an artistic mind, an artistic hope or an artistic skill are welcome to register and attend,” said Letterheads NZ.
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| Letterheads NZ 2018 |
This year’s event will he held for the first time on the shores of Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake, about the size of Singapore. Taupo is arguably the adventure capital of North Island New Zealand, known for its trout fishing, hot springs, winter ski fields, geothermal valleys and the famous Huka Falls near the head of the Waikato River.
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| Letterheads host Bevan Weal of Sign On |
Host Bevan Weal, managing director of Sign On, is a traditionally-trained sign craftsman and well known in the Taupo district not only for his sign work but also his involvement with motocross and the local community, including participation in a charity boxing match (he won).
Weal had hoped to be hosting in his new premises but delays in building approvals means Letterheads attendees will meet in Sign On's Ashwood Avenue premises.
“While Bevan’s workshop is quite large, he will only be accepting 70 registrations for this year’s event, wanting to concentrate on a quality experience for all participants,” say the organisers. “So if you are planning to attend, please don’t leave it until the last minute as you’ll end up being disappointed.”
You can register now at the Letterheads website, where you can also learn more about the Letterheads Credo (republished below).
THE LETTERHEADS CREDO
Purportedly as written by one of the American originators of the Letterheads movement hence authenticity (and intent) cannot be guaranteed.
Tenet 1: Under no circumstances, and at no time, will any Letterhead defame, defile or in any other matter denigrate the reputation, skill, personality or business acumen of any fellow member…provided that he or she is within earshot.
Tenet 2: A Letterhead strives for uncompromising quality. A Letterhead never performs a job in less that the most craftsmanlike fashion, nor will he or she use less that the finest materials…unless:
It was too cold.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
It was too hot.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
The paint didn’t work right.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
The customer was a jerk.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
You were late for a meet.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
Tenet 3: Five letters of the 26 that we use every day are of special significance to the Letterheads. They exemplify the creed. They teach us two important lessons. First, they help keep us humble when we have accomplished a task so well or created an object so beautiful that we’re tempted to consider our efforts superior to those of others or believe that we have reached the pinnacle of our careers.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, we use these letters to help us through the frequent hard times when, despite our best efforts and trying as hard as our abilities allow us, we fail to do a job as well as we’d hoped.
They are: International Order of Artists, Fabricators and Signpainters. Or, unofficially, It’s Only A F**king Sign.
Letterheads sponsors include Sign Supplies, PSP, NZSDA, Total Supply, Computaleta, Resene, Axis, specialized lighting concepts, Decrastrip, Competenz and Aarque Group.
Letterheads Australia 2019 will be held September 13-15 in Macedon Ranges, VIC.
