Residents will be able to see dozens of signs saved from Sabadell's former shops when Patrimoni Gràfic Sabadell opens an exhibition at the Museu d'Art de Sabadell on Wednesday 2 September 2026. The collective retrieves signs with owners' permission before they are discarded, preserving a record of businesses that once shaped streets including the Rambla de Sabadell.

The display forms part of I de la ferida sentir que un jardí floreix, an artistic programme supported by SBD Obert, Sabadell's municipal scheme for creative projects, which has operated since 2012. Artist Guillem Celada has made his exhibition space available for the collective's work.

Signs from radio shops, bakeries and a former cinema building

Among the pieces on display are two signs from Ràdio Grau, a business active since the 1930s, the first sign from Frankfurt Permanyer, and signs from the closed haberdashery La Moda, Vidal Papers and the La Bolle pastry shop.

  • Frankfurt Permanyer's sign prompted graphic designer Pol Abran to begin the project during Sabadell's Festa Major in September 2025, after he saw it being prepared for disposal on passeig Manresa.
  • The collection includes the sign from Casa Homedes, a 300-year-old building on carrer de la Rosa that partly collapsed on 15 March.
  • When the Casa Homedes sign fell, the collective found an earlier sign dated 1923 beneath it. Both are exhibited at different levels.
“When this sign fell, another older one dated 1923 appeared underneath, and both are exhibited on two levels to understand these two layers of accumulated graphics.”Guillem Celada, artist and member of Patrimoni Gràfic Sabadell

The illuminated sign of the former Euterpe cinema remains in its original location, but the inner courtyard where it stands has restricted access for the neighbourhood.

Collective seeks permission before each rescue

Patrimoni Gràfic Sabadell says it acts when members learn that a business is about to close or alter its façade. If a premises has already closed, the group speaks to neighbours and local people to identify the owner and request permission.

“We do this work because cities are changing at a very fast pace, with businesses that make them all the same and cause a lack of personality.”Judit Carcolse, designer and member of Patrimoni Gràfic Sabadell

The collective temporarily stores recovered signs at Escola Illa, Sabadell's design school, and has occasional collaboration with the Museu d'Història de Sabadell. Visitors can attend the exhibition at the Museu d'Art de Sabadell from 2 September.

Reported by cope.es.

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