Augsburg Exhibit Honors MN’s Iconic Hand-Painted Signs
“Greetings From,” a vibrant signage exhibit at Augsburg University, celebrates Minnesota’s cultural memory through hand-painted signs and photographs. Curated by designer Kelsi Sharp, the show features nostalgic tributes to state landmarks and explores the artistry behind local visual identity.
From Betty’s Pies to Nye’s Polonaise Room, a new exhibit at Augsburg University offers a nostalgic and artistic tribute to the signage that has defined Minnesota’s visual identity.
“Greetings From,” curated by Minneapolis-based designer and sign painter Kelsi Sharp, is on view through June 30 at the Gage and Christensen Galleries on Augsburg’s campus. The show features a dynamic collection of photographs and hand-painted signage from across the state—capturing everything from Stillwater alleyways to the neon lights of Dinkytown.
The exhibit explores how signs reflect regional identity, signal urban and rural change, and preserve the stories of everyday places. Sharp, whose work can be seen throughout Minneapolis—including the signage for Marty’s Deli—not only curated the photo collection but also painted several iconic signs directly onto the gallery walls.
“There’s this thing that painters used to do in the Renaissance—you would emulate the masters,” said Sharp. “I feel like I’m just moving around, understanding the legacy of all these folk artists who have been in this trade before me, and it’s romantic and super fun and just life-affirming.”
Notable signage featured in the show includes:
- Grain Belt Beer
- Park & Lake Car Wash
- Stardust Hotel
- Hard Times Café (painted by Phil Vandervaart)
- Stub and Herbs (featuring Cooper Black–inspired lettering)
- Big Wood Timber Frames on East 7th Street in St. Paul
- Annie’s Parlour in Dinkytown, known for its layered, pedestrian- and car-facing signs
Sharp also highlights Minneapolis as a longtime national hub for hand-painted signs. One story in the show recounts how seeing BNSF train cars reminds her of her Santa Fe roots. “When I’m sitting at a bar in Northeast and I see the BNSF train cars go by, I think about it like the moon, where it’s like, my family’s looking up at that same moon.”
Sharp’s own shop on East Lake Street, with its powder pink storefront, wasn’t painted by her—but by fellow artist Forrest Wozniak. “People are always like, ‘Oh, you didn’t get to paint your own shop?’” she joked. “If you’re a dressmaker, does that mean you don’t want to wear Gucci to your own wedding?”
The exhibit is a vibrant tribute to folk artistry, cultural memory, and the Minnesota landscape—told one letterform at a time.
Find out more about Kelsi Sharp, by visiting her website: https://sharpsigns.com/
Galleries & Hours
- Gage Gallery: 610 22nd Ave. S., Minneapolis
- Christensen Center Gallery: 720 22nd Ave. S., Minneapolis
- Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed holidays)
- Tuesday evenings by appointment
- On view through June 30
Original reporting by Alex V. Cipolle, MPR News