Directory

Josh is Best Dressed Signs’ designer and head painter. After working at New Bohemia Signs in San Francisco, Josh brought his unique design and sign painting skills to Boston in 2010. Josh has designed and produced signs for many local Boston businesses in addition to exhibiting his art in galleries around the world. His original designs often explore the dimensional qualities of letterform and the ability to visually conceive of space through painting.

Industry Experience

• 2010 – Present – Owner/Designer /Painter, Best Dressed Signs, Boston, MA
• 2005–2010 – Sign Painter, New Bohemia Signs, San Francisco, CA
• 2007–2009 – Painter, Martinelli Environmental Graphics, San Francisco, CA

Teaching Experience

• 2016 – Gold Leaf on Glass Workshop 2016 Letterheads, Amsterdam, NL
• 2015 – Sign Painting Demo, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
• 2015 – Sign Painting Workshop, Boston University, Boston, MA
• 2013 – Sign Painting Demo, SPACE Gallery, Portland, ME
• 2013 – Art of Lettering: Sign Painting Workshop, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA

Exhibitions

• 2019 – Tactile Mk.3 Exhibition, London, UK
• 2019 – Opposition Show, Studio Two Three, Richmond, VA
• 2018 – The Grand Exhibition of the Pre-Vinylite Society, London Letterheads, London, UK
• 2016 – Go to the Light, Casablanc Gallery, Boston, MA
• 2016 – Vestiges: Scott Listfield & Friends, Gauntlet Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Publications

• 2019 – Freidenrich, Emily. Almost Lost Arts: Traditional Crafts and the Artisans Keeping them Alive, Chronicle Books
• 2014 – Fowkes, Alex. Drawing Type: An Introduction to Illustrating Letterforms, Rockport Publishers
• 2012 – Gregory, Emily. The Little Book of Lettering, Chronicle Books
• 2012 – Levine, Faythe and Sam Macon. Sign Painters, Princeton Architectural Press

Awards, Recognitions, and Honors

• 2015 – Syracuse: Sign Here, Syracuse University Connective Corridor Public Art Commission
• 2015 – First Place, Signs of the Times Magazine Murals/Exhibit Graphics/Banners Contest
• 2013 – Shortlisted for Dudley Sq. Municipal Wall Project, Boston Art Commission
• 2013 – “50 on Fire Award,” Design Category, BostInno.com
• 2002 – Susan Benteen and William Hyde Award, University of California at Santa Cruz
• 2000 – Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award Scholarship, University of California at Santa Cruz
• 1999 – Painting Award, De Anza College, Cupertino, CA

Professional Affiliations

• Pre-Vinylite Society
• Walldogs

Connect

• bestdressedsigns.com
• joshluke.com
• Instagram: @bestdressedsigns
• Twitter: @bestdressedsigns