Olympian Namesake Goes For The Gold! Jim Thorpe Signs & Coca-Cola

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony celebrating Native American culture recalled the achievements of Jim Thorpe, "Athlete of the Century". A modern-day Jim Thorpe creates a special sign for Coca-Cola's Olympic headquarters echoing the style of the Games.

February 12th,2002, Binghamton, NY - Jim Thorpe is a name familiar to many as the great Native American athlete of the early Twentieth century. Thorpes story is emblazoned in the annals of American sports; Jim Thorpe represented the United States and the Sac and Fox Nation in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, where he won a gold medal in the pentathlon, became the first American athlete to win a gold medal in the decathlon, in which he set a world record, and became the only athlete in Olympic history to win both the pentathlon and the decathlon during the same year.

The athletic feats of Jim Thorpe resulted in worldwide publicity that helped to ensure the viability of the Olympic Games. This years special recognition of Native American culture certainly evokes the memory of the man that Congress recognized as Americas Athlete of the Century" in 1999.

A modern-day Jim Thorpe is a professional artist who specializes in hand carved, gold leaf signs and wood sculpture. Six months ago Thorpe launched his web site, www.JimThorpeSigns.com and announced his presence to the larger online community.

The day after New Years I received an e-mail from a fellow who said he needed a carved sign made and delivered to Salt Lake City within the month - could I do it?" The answer was a resounding yes. Thorpes new client turned out to be Coca-Cola and the signs destination was the 2002 Winter Olympics.

"The Real Thing on Main" is a beautiful two-sided redwood sign that hangs over the entrance of Coca-Cola's Olympic headquarters. One of its most striking features is the carved Olympic logo highlighted by genuine gold.

The opportunity to contribute to the atmosphere of the Games is an honor", declares Thorpe, Ive always identified with the original Jim Thorpe, all the more so because I grew up the son of a renowned woodsman and totem pole carver".

Thorpes own history seems like an American folk tale. Johnny Thorpe, Jims father, is a nationally known woodsman and treasure hunter who has written extensively for outdoor magazines such as Fur, Fish, & Game". Thorpe's youth, much like his athletic namesake, was spent outdoors playing sports and mastering woodcraft.

Originally a native of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Jim earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1984. After college he worked as a scenic artist building sets, props and sculpture for theaters, opera houses, and eventually Broadway productions. It was during that time that he began to carve expert signs for businesses, churches, homes, and schools.

A look through Thorpes website attests to his command of the craft of fine sign making. Jim creates signs in a variety of styles ranging from traditional to decidedly chic. He finishes the lettering with 23K gold leaf which dramatically brightens the three dimensional carving.

Gold is the secret ingredient in the alchemy of sign making. Gold is the ultimate noble metal: its radiance will never tarnish, so its beauty endures." Thorpe sees a deeper connection between his work and the Olympic ideal. The aim of the games is to reach for your best self while rallying others to do the same. The Olympics are about whats possible when you put your mind on achieveing a goal, to go for the gold."

Thorpes current goal is be a recognized player in the national sign trade and with clients like Coca-Cola displaying his work in the Olympic Village he seems to be well on the way. The most important thing was that my contact at Coke was clearly very pleased with the result - he said the sign was stopping people in the street, which is high praise indeed!"

To see "The Real Thing on Main" and the rest of Jim Thorpes online portfolio visit http://www.JimThorpeSigns.com or call his studio at 1-800-551-9486.