MO 2025 Signs of the Times
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Description: MMSC is launching the Signs of the Times photo contest to create a poster featuring vintage, rehabbed, and new signage in Missouri.
Signs have provided people with direction and information about the places they work, shop, and visit for centuries. They influence how we enjoy and explore historic commercial districts consciously and subconsciously with their visual design. We imagine they say “check this out” each time someone passes by. In Missouri, countless unique and memorable signs are displayed just as they have been since their installation, serving the same purpose to enrich guests' experiences with their visual details.
The Signs of the Times photo contest provides an opportunity for community members to share memories they have of a location in their downtown centered around its signage. This signage can be vintage, rehabbed, or new, including: neon, ghost signs, wayfinding or street signs, murals, or business signs.
We are excited to discover and share the stories behind the signage that you submit! If only these signs could talk about the variety of events that happened around them. From the many memories made, the shop owners cutting the ribbon on their first day open for business, the impromptu road trip pit stop that turned into an experience of a lifetime, or a couple's first kiss; Missouri is a special place full of stories to be shared. We can connect to the people, events, and culture that have shaped our Missouri communities through the memories and stories that are in our hearts and in the physical locations that persevere.
We invite you to participate in this photography contest for a chance for your community and photo to be included in our “Signs of the Times” poster and “Memories on Main Street” publication.
Photographic submissions may be Analog/Film: Fine Art; Architecture: Buildings, Historic, and Other.
We are curious about the connections between historic places and the human experience with a specific emphasis on Missouri’s Main Streets role.
For submission guidelines and more details, visit our website.
AI Clause: Missouri Main Street Connection seeks submissions that express the memories and emotions that are unique to each person’s human experience, and therefore only original human creative works will be accepted. The use of AI is strictly prohibited. If your submission is found to violate this policy, any submission by the offender will be disqualified and be denied from inclusion in the gallery, poster, and publication. Spellcheck and grammar tools on your finished description is not AI and is allowed.
Questions: Contact Logan at logan@momainstreet.org