Most Unique Political Sign
This Year Is David Atkinson's

Two years ago, the political signs that drew attention for their unique design were the handsome horse-head signs erected by Rozo McLaughlin in Royalton and Tunbridge, a symbol of her horse farm.

So unique and well-made were those signs that a lot of them never made it through the political season.

This year's winner in the "most unique" category are the lawn signs of David Atkinson of Braintree, candidate for state representative from Orange-Addison-1. Atkinson has turned to art to stand out from the crowd.

"I wanted my signs to be different and to convey to voters something more than a name," explained Atkinson this week through his campaign publicist Scott Berkey.

"There's only room on a yard sign for a sound bite's worth of words, but with art you can say so much more and look good too."

To get the right art Atkinson turned to nationally-known artist Bunny Harvey, who has been a part time resident since 1949 when her parents first came to Vermont. A Rome Prize winner, Harvey has exhibited both nationally and internationally, with works in public and private collections. She has taught painting at Wellesley College for 30 years.

A Harvey watercolor scene of Vermont has become Atkinson's campaign signature. It is on his yard signs, post cards, buttons and palm cards.

Harvey also was present at Atkinson's cocktail party fundraiser at the Three Stallion Inn on Oct. 18, where she signed a matted and framed print as a door prize.

"I've gotten many compliments on how Bunny's art is dressing up yards and my campaign," declared Atkinson.