The Clayworks at Disability Supports
The Clayworks at Disability Supports, based in Hutchinson, KS, is a non-profit organization that has been providing a full range of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for almost 30 years.
After renovating a former medical center to create a modern, multi-use space to support its members and serve as a gathering place for the community, Rick Staab, president and CEO of Disability Supports of the Great Plains, tapped Lumineo Signs, a Kansas-based sign company, to elevate The Clayworks’ brand, amplify its purpose, and promote its amenities.
Lumineo recommended a 6mm 4’5″ x 8’3″ digital Watchfire display. Situated in the heart of Hutchinson, in a high-traffic area, the location is ideal for a high-resolution display to showcase the beautiful facilities, which include a retail coffee shop, a culinary arts demonstration kitchen, collaborative meeting spaces, an outdoor garden, and a basketball court.
More importantly, the display perfectly showcases the artwork created at The Clayworks. Disability Supports members have access to a state-of-the-art studio and lessons that help them hone their artistic skills. They can choose to sell their creations nationally through The Clayworks’ gift shop, helping to boost students’ self-confidence and supporting self-sufficiency.
“The Clayworks originally had a 10mm Watchfire display that worked well for Disability Supports messaging, but when Rick decided to shift focus to the art, I knew it was important for them to upgrade to a 6mm display,” explained Andy Sellers, Account Manager for Lumineo. “It’s impossible to drive by without taking notice of the high-resolution imagery. Since the display was installed, community awareness and engagement have dramatically increased. Meeting spaces are now full, the coffee shop is always buzzing, and the artists are benefiting from increased art sales.”
When it came to telling stories about the artists, Staab knew the technology had to be top-quality. At the same time, it needed to be easy to use so messages could be modified, in real-time, to support The Clayworks’ happenings and other community-sponsored events.
“The quality of the sign and the service from Watchfire and Lumineo have been peerless,” said Staab. “The Watchfire display has enabled us to honor the art and the artists and their contribution to commerce in the community, and the feedback has been enthusiastic. The quality is so good and the resolution so photorealistic that we hear that people in the community are eager to see what we display next.”