Impact Architectural Signs Produces One-of-a-Kind Memorial Bronze Plaques for Chicago's LGBT Legacy Walk


LA GRANGE, Ill.- Visitors to Chicago's Halsted Street will now have the opportunity to learn about important figures in the LGBT community's history. At the Legacy Walk dedication, organizers will reveal a series of 18 bronze plaques, featuring the likenesses and biographies of important figures such as Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, Harvey Milk, Jane Addams and Dr. Alfred Kinsey. The plaques are the work of Impact Architectural Signs, a Chicago-based company that excels in custom metal plaques and other architectural signage (www.impactsigns.com).

The production of the plaques was truly a team effort. The Northalsted Business Alliance and the Legacy Project worked on the initial designs together. Victor Salvo, executive director of the Legacy Project, collaborated with Impact Architectural Signs to finalize the layout of the plaques. The final products are a stunning combination of durability and subtle attention to detail. "It's rather 'off-the-scale' actually. Beyond my best expectations. You all did a beautiful job," expressed Salvo.

Creation of the custom bronze plaques was an intensive and painstaking process. Every plaque began as a two-dimensional graphic design, which served as the proof for a polymer mold. At the foundry, workers used the polymer mold to create a hollow sand mold. Molten bronze was then carefully poured into the sand molds. A thorough sandblasting removed debris after the bronze hardened and cooled. Painting and sanding of various surfaces on the plaque, as well as a hand-rubbed finish on the photo relief image, gave them their final, lustrous appearance.

The climate of the Windy City is none too friendly to exposed surfaces. Impact Architectural Signs accounted for the effects of blazing summers and freezing winters when finishing the commemorative bronze plaques. A clear coating of polyurethane guarantees protection against the elements.

"As a Chicagoan, it was a pleasure to work on this project. It's a great blend of history, education, and architecture. We're grateful that we were selected to work on this historic project," said Shabbir Moosabhoy, co-owner of Impact Architectural Signs.

Learn more about Impact Architectural Signs and their work with bronze plaques and signs at http://www.impactsigns.com/bronze-plaque.

About
Impact Signs was founded in 1989 by Ammar and Shabbir Moosabhoy, a father and son team. Today, the company is a leading architectural sign company, specializing in the design, production, and installation of high-quality dimensional letters, custom logo signs, and metal plaques - nationwide.

Contact:
Shabbir Moosabhoy
Impact Architectural Signs
26 E. Burlington Ave.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: +1-708-469-7178

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