On Tuesday, the town of Silverton Public Works crew and local iron artist Ken Webb installed the new metal entryway sign and removed the old Silverton billboard that was installed in the 1990s.
The project has been decades old, being passed from one Town Board of Trustees to the next as an issue to address. San Juan Development Association took on the challenge, and the signs were designed, made and installed all by locals.
“It has been truly inspiring to see the collaboration between SJDA, the town of Silverton, San Juan County and our local artists, Ken Webb of Quiet Bear Art and graphic designer Kat Ochabova, bring this vision to life,” said Sarah Moore, executive director of SJDA. “Over the past year, Ken has worked tirelessly on this project alongside Kat, whose design was chosen for the final look of the signs.”
She added that the installation would not have been possible without the hard work of town of Silverton Public Works Director John Zarkis and his team, working alongside Quiet Bear Art.
“By repurposing refurbished ski lift towers from Kendall Ski Area for the infrastructure, the project was able to incorporate durable and efficient materials that will serve the community far better than the aging poles previously in place,” she said. “Improved wayfinding and entryway signage play an important role in increasing visitation by creating a more welcoming entrance into Silverton and encouraging travelers to stop and explore our community, which we hope will help bring more vehicular traffic into town.”
On Tuesday morning, curious locals who were driving by stopped to witness the installation of the new entryway sign, commenting that they liked the design and the repurposing of the old Kendall Mountain chairlift towers.
Calling it “just the right vibe” for our new Silverton sign, said Kat Ochabova, the graphic designer on the entryway sign project.
“I’m excited to see this project come together,” she said. “I love our community and am so happy to help design something that represents our town and welcomes visitors.”
“Public Works has been great to work with; they exceeded the help that I thought I was going to get,” Ken Webb of Quiet Bear Art said. “I am glad that the community is finally getting some new signs. We have been working toward this for over a decade.”
Sarah Moore said Tuesday morning: “We are incredibly excited to have this project completed before the summer season officially kicks off so we can welcome both new and returning visitors to our community. While there is still work to be done, including lighting, landscaping and donor recognition, this is a huge step forward for Silverton.”
A second sign coming in from Durango will be installed this week, and then SJDA will start focusing on phase II of the sign project, which will include beautification of the area around them, lighting and a sponsor’s sign.
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