Joining the Circus- 2025

You know how people talk about running off and joining the circus? Throwing off the routines of everyday life and getting away from it all? Once a year I have the opportunity to join an incredible circus called Burning Man. I started going in 2017 and I have increased my involvement each year. In 2023 I started going early to volunteer for the Department of Public Works (DPW) as part of the Sign Shop.

The Sign Shop makes all of the signs needed for the event. This is over 1,000 signs every year! Some of the signs are hand painted wooden signs and others are reflective metal signs that are like the kinds you see in cities and parking lots.

This year I took on a new role as Assistant Production Manager of the Sign Shop. This meant that I did a lot more design work, which I loved. I was able to use my love of signs, my Adobe Illustrator knowledge, and my creativity to help my team members come up with designs for their signs. We each get to design a street every year- this year my street was Herbert, named for Frank Herbert, author of Dune.

I made this summary illustration as a broad overview of what the sign shop work season is like. It is hard to put into words how amazing it is to be out there. The scenery is stunning. The people are incredible. The work is a challenging and rewarding mix of intellectual work and physical labor. It is such a departure from my everyday life that it really does feel like joining the circus!

This season was an especially great one- I am still so amazed by our crew and the work we were able to do together. The memories from this summer will carry me through until it is time to head to the desert and join the circus again. Until then, I am re-energized and inspired to keep working with all of of my amazing clients!