Gratitude from Gary Anderson
photo by Chris Hack
Master Sign Maker
~ by Julia Pearson
Visitors to Brown County and to the town of Nashville in particular, notice a subtle poetry or visual song as they drive through. Pedestrians, too, see a common style and character as they look down the streets. Much credit for this unique flavor goes to the master sign artist, Gary Anderson, who has spent multiple decades creating the signs along the roads and in front of businesses.
A portfolio of his work can be had by simply looking about. Of the 43 years of his commercial signmaking, 29 years has been in his present studio which is a brief 15 minute drive to Nashville. He credits Brown County for giving him the flexibility and opportunity to express his own sense of design.
Gary grew up in Oolitic, Indiana, the first of three sons born to Dale and Edith Anderson. He graduated from Purdue with a degree in technical illustration. Jobs were few at that time, and Gary slid into the sign making trade because he needed work. With mentors and other influences, Gary also was selfeducated. He often fully developed a style or technique, and would then move on to new and different ones.
Function is“ always the name of the game” when creating signs for
16 Our Brown County • May / June 2014