In a world where we are absolutely surrounded by digital prints and AI, so many of us crave and really appreciate things that are still handmade. Providenceartist Jayson Salvi is keeping what many see as a dying art alive with his hand painted signs. “I’ve been painting here in the city 26 years now. Started out part-time while I worked a full-time retail job. Then the pandemic hit and I just took it full-time, and I have not looked back,” Salvi said.
Reviving a Dying Art in the Digital Age
From florists to coffee shops and even a bit of nostalgia (i.e. Benny’s), Jayson Salvi’s Hand Painted Signs can be seen in various locations. “Right now, I have a bunch of signs displayed over at Track 15 and a lot of them are Rhode Island nostalgia,” he said. “Current brands, old brands, like Rocky Point. I mean, everybody has a story about Rocky Point. A sign just evokes a memory for so many people.”
What are some of his most popular creations? “Definitely the Narragansett signs are some of the most popular, Del’s, the Wienerama one,” Salvi said.
“Don’t risk a felony and steal a sign, I’ll just make it for you,” he joked. “It’s cheaper than bail money.”…