First Thursday in Olde Worthington Sign

This photograph shows a sign designed and created by William (bc) (Bill) Collins for the Olde Worthington Business Association's First Thursday events in downtown Worthington. The sign has a celebratory streamer design across the top, and reads: "First Thursday in Olde Worthington this Thursday; Shops and Restaurants Open 5-9."

Olde Worthington Business Association is the former name of a group of merchants in downtown Worthington. In 2015, the group changed its name to the Old Worthington Partnership, and in 2020, became the Worthington Partnership.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, artist and signmaker William (bc) (Bill) Collins attended Columbus College of Art and Design when it was still a small art school, majoring in Fine Art. After serving in the Army in Europe, he became a sign artist for businesses throughout the Columbus area, starting his sole ownership sign business in 1978. Over nearly three decades, he created some of the most iconic advertising art in central Ohio.

Before the advent of computers and the use of vinyl, bc designed, created and sold his signs marketing his work through word of mouth. He cut letters with a router, made and pounced patterns, projected designs on a variety of objects then finished the job by painting and installing the sign.

bc created signs for numerous Worthington-area businesses, including Angels on High, Scottie MacBean, Pig Iron BBQ (now Iron Grill Barbeque and Brew), P.K. O'Ryan's, The Old Bag of Nails Pub, Celtic Corner, Magic Cruises & Tours and M.S. Abbott Jewelers.

In addition to his sign art, bc was an accomplished muralist, sculptor and painter of portraits, landscapes and other work, which were exhibited in galleries throughout central Ohio. In April 2022, bc’s 1992, 25-foot mural of the Columbus skyline became part of the permanent collection at The Ohio Arts Council.

bc and his family lived in Worthington for 22 years.