Blog

If you’ve ever been to the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, you know that the real magic happens on stage. But just like in any performance, what happens behind the scenes is also important to making the experience seamless and memorable. Since the center opened its doors in 2015, Port City Signs & Graphics has been its behind-the-scenes signage partner, helping with everything from practical wayfinding signs to bold exterior graphics that catch the eye of anyone passing by.

From the lobby to the loading dock, and everywhere in between, our work with the Wilson Center shows just how many different roles signage can play in helping to create a world-class performing arts experience.

Interior Signage: From Wayfinding to Donor Recognition

Inside the center, signage does much more than label spaces. It helps guests feel comfortable, guides performers behind the curtain, and highlights the supporters who make the arts possible. From the very beginning, our team has been tasked with balancing practical needs like wayfinding with design elements that fit the Center’s modern, welcoming feel.

• Dedication and donor recognition. We produced acrylic dedication plaques, including a series honoring the Wilson family, and positioned them where they would be seen and appreciated. Over the years, we’ve also added naming rights signage as new opportunities and recognitions have been introduced.
• Dimensional identification. We fabricated aluminum letter signage to label key areas, including the second-story balcony that now bears the Ruth and Bucky Stein name. That installation took careful coordination and patience because everyone wanted to be absolutely certain before a single hole was drilled in the sheetrock.
• Concessions and box office. Early on, we created vinyl snack bar menus that we updated regularly before the center eventually transitioned to digital screens. We also supported the box office build-out with letters and acrylic accents, as well as temporary box office graphics when needed.

• Backstage wayfinding. Since performers and touring crews often “move in” for a week, we created practical, easy-to-follow signage for loading areas, dressing rooms, and hallways. This allows visiting artists and staff to find what they need and get where they’re going quickly.
• General interior wayfinding. When the Wilson Center first opened, we produced the majority of its wayfinding signage, from directional graphics to aluminum letters labeling different parts of the building. This year, we also completed an update of that original system. Both efforts focused on guiding guests clearly and intuitively, so they could move through the building with ease.

Exterior Signage: Low Profile to High Impact 

The Wilson Center staff have always been mindful of the building’s architecture, as they should be. When the building opened, exterior signage stayed minimal and understated. We started with clean vinyl lettering on windows and the glass for the entrance and ticket office, which fit the original vision. As programming expanded and the need for visibility grew, the Center leaned into bolder options, and we introduced prominent graphics that could be swapped out regularly to promote upcoming shows.

Vinyl Door Graphics 

One of the most visible additions has been the vibrant vinyl graphics on the front doors. With steady foot and vehicle traffic around the building, those doors are a prime space for show announcements. The graphics create buzz and give people a reason to pause and look ahead to what is coming next. We update these door graphics about every six to eight weeks, depending on the schedule. The center’s marketing team manages creative and approvals, and we handle print and installation. One of the things we have to be most careful of is making sure that mullions (those vertical bars between the panes of glass in a window) don’t cut through important text or imagery.

Large-Format Window Graphics

We also install large-format vinyls on the north and south upper windows. These typically highlight major productions, often from the off-Broadway series, and are changed roughly twice a year. There is something especially satisfying about watching those large graphics come together. They change the feel of the building and give that part of downtown Wilmington a big-city sense of energy and scale. They also signal to anyone passing by that something special is going to be happening inside.

Garage Door Graphics 

The large pull-down glass garage doors on the center’s service side face a public street, and are where production trucks and equipment come in. We first applied frosted vinyl to control light and glare, but then the staff realized they were missing a prime advertising opportunity and could use the doors for promoting upcoming shows. Now, instead of blending into the background, they capture attention from passersby and serve as an unexpected extension of the center’s exterior marketing.

Creative Problem-Solving

Working in a high-profile venue means every detail counts, from aesthetics to safety and durability. Over the years, we’ve encountered challenges that required careful planning and creative solutions:

• Measure, then measure again. Architectural plans often call for windows to be the same size, but in practice, small variations can occur from one side of a building to the other. To avoid surprises, we measured every window at the Wilson Center before producing graphics, making sure seams would line up and the artwork would look clean. Because we now have those exact measurements on file, future projects are far more efficient.
• Account for materials and environment. Rubber gaskets around glass can sometimes release a slight oily substance that causes graphics to fail over time. We had to figure out how to navigate that so the installations would hold up.
• Reach matters. The building’s high ceilings and narrow interior access points required specialized lifts that could fit through doors and still reach second-story installs.
• Wayfinding balance. Multiple entrances, pathways, and double doors made the seating layout complex. We worked with staff at the center to identify where signs would be most helpful without overwhelming visitors. The original system served the center well, and when it came time for a refresh, the update built on that foundation.
• Backstage logistics. Performers and crews move quickly in unfamiliar spaces, so signage had to be clear without becoming visual clutter. High ceilings and unusual sightlines also meant we had to get creative with placement to keep signs visible exactly where they were needed.

Each challenge refined our process. Today, when a new request comes up or a layout changes, the path from idea to installation is smoother because those fundamentals are built in.

What’s Next: Supporting a Space That Keeps Evolving

The Wilson Center continues to invest in the guest experience, and signage plays a quiet but important role in that process. As programming expands and audiences diversify, the need for thoughtful, flexible signage grows too. From welcoming younger audiences to making spaces more navigable and camera-friendly, we’re proud to keep supporting those efforts and to adapt our solutions as the center evolves.

Proud to Support a Wilmington Landmark

Located in the heart of downtown, the center is one of Wilmington’s true gathering places. People come from across the region to see shows, meet up with friends, and discover something new. We are grateful to support a place that brings so much energy and creativity to the community, and our team considers it a point of pride to contribute to a landmark that draws in locals and visitors alike.

Ready to Talk About Your Project?

If you are looking for a signage partner who can handle everything from functional wayfinding to large-scale graphics, we would love to help. Contact us at 910-294-9402 or request a quote, and let’s set up an initial meeting.