The third “Welcome to Easton” sign will be unveiled on Saturday, June 8 on the back patio of the Easton Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A certificate and goody bags will be awarded to the students whose artwork was chosen for the sign.
Those who attend the unveiling can try some gelato, courtesy of Shaggy Coos Farm. But the biggest draw will be the sign, which is set to be installed at the end of Stepney Road on the Monroe border.
Unlike the two previous “Welcome to Easton” signs exhibited around town, the latest sign includes art work by Joel Barlow High School students, under the guidance of art teacher Andy Pohlen. Barlow students submitted digital artwork, and Samuel Staples Elementary School and Helen Keller Middle School students contributed colorfully hand-drawn pieces.
The theme of the new sign is Easton holidays and horse farms, depicting the seasons of spring and fall. The first sign, at the intersection of Black Rock Turnpike and Route 136, and the second sign, at the bottom of Sport Hill Road, near the Fairfield town line, were created with the theme “What Easton Means to Me.”
Sheila Weaver, Easton Arts Council member, collected all the artwork and sent it to Samantha Olschen, an assistant professor of motion design and animation at the University of Connecticut, who took inspiration and incorporated elements from the students’ artwork to bring them to life in the final product.
“To me, the sign reflects the grassroots of the community, and I think it’s important to be able to see our community through the eyes of the children who are the future,” said Weaver.
The Easton Planning and Zoning Commission in collaboration with the Easton Arts Council sponsored the sign project. The idea originated from P&Z’s realization that Easton lacked welcome signs. Alison Sternberg, a P&Z member, came up with the idea to hold a student art contest.
“No other town has anything like this, and it’s suitable for us because we are so unique and close-knit as a community,” said Sternberg. “It’s a warm, welcoming feeling when you enter the town. It depicts who we are — farmers, growers, a Christmas tree capital — with corn mazes, pumpkins and amazing animals.”
Justin Giorlando, Easton’s land use consultant, said those involved in the first sign project knew they wanted to do something to welcome people to Easton and let them know what Easton is about.
“We kicked around the idea of having an art contest, and we felt like we could get pure reaction and vision of what the kids think about the town they live in because for some of these kids, it’s all they have ever known, so you can’t get much purer than that,” said Giorlando.
A fourth and final installment of “Welcome to Easton” signs will be unveiled later in the year and will be winter themed.
“I can’t wait to see the signs up, and I think they will be well received,” said Sternberg. “I’m also excited to see the artwork for the next one.”
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