Artist takes a sketchy look at San Jose’s vintage signs

When Suhita Shirodkar started making sketches of vintage signs in San Jose about five years ago, she was driven by a sense of discovery for her new hometown. Every sign had a story behind it, and together they told an interesting history of San Jose.

“It’s really fascinating because I only knew it as Silicon Valley, and it’s nice to dig back and find pre-Silicon Valley stories,” she told me Sunday at the opening reception for “Sign of the Times,” an exhibition of her sketches at History Park in San Jose.

Shirodkar’s collection includes some familiar favorites: the Ste-

phen’s Meat “Dancing Pig” sign, the huge Western Appliance sign on San Carlos Street, Wing’s Chinese Restaurant, and the Cambrian Park Plaza carousel sign. She was also able to capture a few we’ve lost like the old Bold Knight sign on Monterey Road, the Mel Cotton’s sign on San Carlos and the Elite Cleaners sign on Lincoln Avenue (which still exists but has been remodeled as a sign for The Table and Willow Glen).

I was glad to see some iconic, non-traditional signage had made it into her sketchbook, like Babe the Muffler Man on The Alameda and the giant orange of Mark’s Hot Dogs. Two things struck me while browsing through the exhibition: San Jose still has a lot of historic signs (and we should really be making sure we preserve what’s left) and Shirodkar manages to both create an “in the moment” scene for each sign while also capturing their timeless quality.

Her sketchbook isn’t done, and there are signs she hasn’t gotten to yet, like the Hotel De Anza’s historic neon sign. (You can see her work at VintageSignSanJose.com.) And there are still more stories to find out about the signs she’s already sketched, like Sputnik’s Donuts (now Supreme Donuts) on Foxworthy Avenue. “Why would a sign in San Jose made during the Cold War be named after a Soviet satellite?” she wonders. “There has to be a story there!”

The exhibition is open weekends from noon to 5 p.m. at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House through the summer. While you’re there, you can try your hand at your own urban sketching of History Park buildings with the artmaking activity at the gallery. Get more information at historysanjose.org.

FOR BETTER OR VERSE >> What a missed opportunity for the Legacy of Poetry Slam finals, taking place at San Jose State on Thursday — a day after World Poetry Day. Oh well. No doubt Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Mighty Mike McGee, who is hosting the competition featuring eight young finalists, would remind me that every day can be World Poetry Day.

The finals, which are free to attend, start at 6 p.m. at the Student Union Theater. The three top finishers will receive cash prizes and an invitation to perform at the Legacy of Poetry Day Festival at the Hammer Theatre on April 12.

HAKONE IN BLOOM >> The magnificent Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga is positively blooming with cherry blossoms right now, and the Japanese garden is opening its doors so the public can enjoy rare evening viewings. Hakone will be open 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the viewings, with the last admissions at 9 p.m., for as long as the blooms last, possibly through the end of March. Of course, all this is weather permitting so check the forecast before you head out.

Admission for Hamani at Hakone is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Get more information at www.hakone.com.

LAST CHANCE >> Time is running short for the popular Habana Cuba restaurant on Race Street. It’s closing its doors after dinner Sunday, and I’m told that the best bet for getting a table is lunch Thursday or Friday. Of course, fans won’t be left without their favorite Cuban food for too long, as owner Jennifer Echeverri will be opening a slimmed-down version at the SoFA Market in downtown San Jose.