Ferencz’ ‘Seven Buildings’ Exhibit Documents Missoula’s Historic Ghost Signs

By Courtney Lowery, 4-03-08

The faded logos and signs that scroll across old Missoula buildings—the ones hidden in alleys and side streets—have stories to tell.

Artist Ben Ferencz, with historian Allan Mathews, is helping to tell those stories.

“Seven Buildings,” at the Gallery Saintonge in April, studies Missoula’s so-called ghost signs through seven black and white photographs accompanied by typeset print.

According to the gallery, “Ghost signs, a dying art form - due in large to the proliferation of computer technology - are visual clues to the historic use of the buildings and the products sold therein.”

Ferencz is a graphic designer and artist who founded The Design Cooperative. His clients have included the 515, the Missoula Art Museum, Gucci, MTV and Yves Saint Laurent. Ferencz lives in St. Ignatius. Mathews is the author of A Guide to Historic Missoula and served as the city’s historic preservation officer for 11 years.

“Seven Buildings” opens at the Gallery Saintonge on Higgins Ave. Friday, April 4. Click here for more information from the gallery.