Fairfax, Virginia -- September 11, 2007 -- Brilliant graphic panels now cover several damaged storefronts in New Orleans thanks to an entirely volunteer effort created by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA).
The SGIA Canal Street Initiative recently completed its first phase of an ambitious plan to produce and install approximately 80 large graphic panels — measuring on average 1.2 meters by 2.4 meters (4 feet by 8 feet) — along segments of Canal Street, a main downtown artery.
Volunteer installers covered boarded-up storefront windows along the street's 800 block with the 20 panels, which featured digitally printed images of the city's heritage and culture.
"The SGIA Canal Street Initiative is off to a fantastic start," said SGIA President/CEO Michael Robertson. "The installed panels provide a startling difference to the urban environment."
The first waves of panels, installed in time for the September 8 Canal Street Opening Festival, helped visitors and residents visualize the street's redevelopment progress, said Kurt Weigle, Executive Director of the city's Downtown Development District.
"We can have hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments, but until it's complete it doesn't have the impact a few beautifully designed graphic panels can have," Weigle said.
With donations of labor and materials from more than 20 member companies and business partners, the SGIA Canal Street Initiative will help revitalize New Orleans while showing the the benefits using large-format graphics in construction and renovation areas.
Learn more about the SGIA Canal Street Initiative and view photos at SGIA.org, Keyword: NOLA.