May 6, 2004

Heed the “Read to Me” Banners

By Brigid Hubberman
Ithaca Journal Guest Editorial

"Wow! Look at that gorgeous banner!"

"Hey, there’s another reading picture, and another! They’re all over!"

Since late fall and throughout a cold and snowy winter, we have been surrounded by some bright and cheerful magic: a dozen very big, very beautiful reading banners hanging on buildings all around town. Each proclaims, “Read to Me– Any Time, Any Place!”

The banners celebrate the pleasure of reading together, each in a unique, imaginative setting, all created especially for the Family Reading Partnership by 12 Ithaca-area artists.

On one banner, a city bus ride turns into an adventure as a father read to his young daughter. Another fancifully depicts a girl reading to animals in her tree house. And in still another, a family sets sail on the lake with books in tow. All 12 banners promote the joys of reading aloud to someone you love and the variety of opportunities to include reading in family routines.

The impact of the banners goes far beyond the beautiful artwork and the simple, yet powerful message to parents and caregivers. “They are so much about what we value as a community – learning, art, children and families,” educator Sarah Hess said. “I loved watching them appear one by one, all so different, and yet they fit together. Once they were all up, it was breathtaking to feel we were surrounded by the ‘Read to Me’ message!”

And the message is certainly being heard. When Karen Powers, third-grade teachers at Northeast School, help up a picture of the family reading bears (on Wegmans), she asked, “Who has seen the banners? What do they say?” Virtually every hand went up as the group responded in chorus: “Read to Me – Any Time, Any Place!”

How did all this magic happen? It began with a small idea that grew into a big idea. In the same way that all Family Reading Partnership magic happens, the idea became reality only with many enthusiastic partners making it possible.

At the heart of the project are the 12 artists who graciously gave of their time and talents. We are so fortunate that Percy Browning and the Helen Thomas Howland Foundation both thought the idea was great and lent funding support.

We have great appreciation for Park Outdoor Advertising for coordination the enlargement of the 9-by-12 inch artwork onto 9-by-12 foot durable vinyl that would hold up to even the harshest Ithaca winter. This project wouldn’t have been so grand without the 12 beautiful building serving as gallery walls, letting us dress them up for an entire season. Thanks to Pyramid Mall and the Lansing Village for helping out with the frames. So how did they all get up so high? Bouille Electric of Elmira is responsible for graciously hanging most of the banners, with S&S Tree Service, Cayuga sign and Verizon also lending a hand and bucket truck.

As the banners soared in the open air, the original artwork greeted shoppers at Borders Books, where art lovers were invited to place silent bids on their favorite works. Many took home beautiful works of art and the warm feeling of knowing that proceeds supported this worthwhile project.

As for the future life of the ”Read to Me” banners, this summer they will be displayed in clusters in rural Tompkins County. Then this fall they will welcome students and on the buildings of area elementary schools. After that, the sky is the limit!