Historical Museum signs Mortenson for exhibit

Inside Mortenson Signs on the corner of Avon Allen Road and Bennett Road is an explosion of colorful signs and art. This hints at the body of work Bob Mortenson has made since he opened the shop in 1981.

Iconic signs throughout Skagit Valley bear Mortenson's mark: RoozenGaarde, Calico Cupboard, Nasty Jacks and even the La Conner Weekly News.

Now, the impact of his art is receiving special attention. The Skagit County Historical Museum's next exhibit is "Signs, Signs, Everywhere – Signs: The Art of Bob Mortenson." It will be on display from March 29 to Sept. 29.

"I'm pretty humbled by what they're doing up there on the hill," said Mortenson.

Growing up in Sunnyside southeast of Yakima, Mortenson was recognized for his talent early.

"I've just always sketched, drawn, doodled, whatever, on everything and just have a real love for color," said Mortenson. Besides posters for athletic events and signs in Sunnyside, he painted backdrops for school plays, which was how he met his wife, Jenny.

After moving to Mount Vernon, Mortenson worked for a short time making signs for a construction company and then for Seattle's Messenger Signs.

A shop steward there told Mortenson, "'Just learn the craft first and then everything will come out of that.' I always thought that was great advice."

When his son Andy, now a partner in the business, was born, Mortenson stopped commuting to Seattle. He has "been painting the town ever since."

Along the way, Mortenson learned and adapted, figuring out how to paint mailboxes and cars - anything a client asked for.

Then came computers. Mortenson embraced them right away, freeing his artistic side.

"All of a sudden, I could really become flamboyant, because the computer would take care of the basics," said Mortenson.

Jo Wolfe, director of the museum, said the exhibit will show how Mortenson has adapted to modern technology. The exhibit "goes from when he was hand painting signs to now when they have these huge computer-operated things that create wraps for cars and vans," said Wolfe.

Mortenson has "a long, deep history with so many different industries," said Wolfe.

"There's hardly a building that I haven't been on or done something to," said Mortenson, "and that's the wonderful thing."

Preparing for the exhibit has allowed for family reflection. Looking through old work, the Mortensons have been reliving their past. They realize how great their lives have been here.

"What I really love are the people behind" these signs, said Mortenson. "Tell me what you want. We'll go from there."

One longtime client is the history museum. Mortenson designed the current logo and exhibit signs.

During a consultation a couple years ago, Wolfe and Laynie Moran, the museum's collection manager, started looking through a photo album of Mortenson's work sitting on the shop's counter. They recognized the value of Mortenson's art to the community and began planning the exhibit.

"I was pretty shocked," said Mortenson when the museum approached him. He never expected his work to appear in a history museum.

The family has cooperated with the planning. Jenny Mortenson, who worked for years in La Conner schools, has written much of the copy for the exhibit.

The opening reception of the exhibit will allow the first viewing opportunity and a chance to talk with Bob Mortenson.

"This exhibit, once again, epitomizes what we want to do as a museum," Wolfe said. "It is a privilege to be able to tell this story and share it with everyone."

The opening reception is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Skagit County Historical Museum.