Maybe your sign to vote is seeing just that, a whimsical wooden stake in the ground telling you to do so. It’s Paul Collins’ hope, anyways.
The “100 Days” project was born during the 2020 presidential election, driven by the local artist’s disappointment in voter turnout each year. Four years later, it’s back, and growing.
“I didn’t imagine anybody asking me for signs,” Collins said. “So, that really changed things. I ended up making about 400 signs the last election.”
Drawing on inspiration
Looking at his designs, which are offered to the community free of charge, you’ll see a common theme: animals. As for the reasoning behind the subject matter, the first sign he made (as well as the one he’s created most often) is a cardinal.
“I made a cardinal as a messenger,” he said. “I wanted that to be sort of a call to people to vote, just a little chirp reminder that this is important, and certainly the bird carries that spirit.”
Since then, he’s crafted everything from turtles, sharks, and even a sloth. When we visited on Aug. 8, the focus was foxes, squirrels, and woodpeckers.
He told us, “I try to make them well, so it’s not like I’m dropping off trash somewhere. I feel like a lot of times I’m negotiating with the groundskeeper, or whoever is cutting the grass on that particular corner, to see if they think it’s worth throwing away or keeping out there.”
You might be wondering, well how does he keep track? Collins maps his drops, which will look a lot like 2020 one by the time he’s finished. We can’t paint you a picture because he keeps these to himself, so think of finding signs like a scavenger hunt.
Expanding his palate palette
His mission started on July 28, and there are already a few new things in the works. Collins is collaborating with multiple Nashville artists, so you’ll see some limited edition signs made with their designs. The fox is also a first this year, offering yet another symbolic message: change.
Sign yourself up
Attend a show and giveaway event to snag a sign of your own. The first is already scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 next door to Dozen Bakery on Hagan Street in Wedgewood-Houston.
Beyond that, you can make a sign request through Instagram DMs, host your own giveaway at home, and even contribute to the cause — like this recent lumber donation from Good Wood Nashville.
