“Lettering is everywhere in the city. Can you imagine a mute metropolis, one without messages? Pictograms, ads, shop signs: the language of signage shapes the face of a city, in the same way food or architecture does. But for how much longer?” — Isabelle Pare
(Photos by Michael Lee-Murphy. Layout by Jodie Mozdzer.)
The Intern Project
“Lettering is everywhere in the city. Can you imagine a mute metropolis, one without messages? Pictograms, ads, shop signs: the language of signage shapes the face of a city, in the same way food or architecture does. But for how much longer?” — Isabelle Pare
Michael Lee-Murphy, a student at McGill University in Montreal and a native of Middlefield, Conn., was the Valley Indy’s intern this summer.
After some three months of being told what to cover, Lee-Murphy proposed an idea for what would be his last story — a photo essay showing signs of the Valley, inspired by a story by Isabelle Pare.
He was struck not only by the never-ending array of fonts and designs used on local buildings and businesses, but by the use of the word “Valley” in the different towns.
“The Valley truly has its own identity,” he said. “Everything in the Valley calls itself ‘The Valley this’ or ‘The Valley that.’ That doesn’t go on in a lot of other places.”
Enjoy Michael’s tribute to the Valley. The article continues below the photo gallery.
WHERE ARE THE LETTERS UP TOP FROM?
They look familiar but you can’t quite place some of them, right?
Here’s a cheat sheet.
W Why Lennon graffiti on retaining wall near train tracks in Ansonia
E Simonetti’s Cleaners, 70 Center St. Shelton
L Metro Lounge, Main Street, Ansonia
O Downtown Danny O’s, Howe Ave. Shelton
V Obsidium building, Main Street, Ansonia
E E’s Barber Shop, Main Street Ansonia
THE Chromium Process Co. Canal Street, Shelton
V Shelton Victorian Condominiums
A Salvage Alley, Main Street Ansonia
L Shelton Auto Body
L Shelton Auto Body
E First Street Apizza, First Street, Seymour
Y Seymour Fine Arts, Main Street, Seymour
The shamrock is from Downtown Danny O’s in Shelton.
The red design is from the Kazimir Pulaski Club on Bridge Street in Shelton.
