Painting of the Lazarus Building

This photograph shows a painting of the Lazarus department store building in downtown Columbus, 50 West Town Street. The painting depicts the building as it appeared in the 1920s or '30s. The building was the flagship store for the company from 1909 through 2004. Lazarus ceased operations in 2005.

Artist and signmaker William (bc) (Bill) Collins was commissioned to paint this 6 ft. by 12.5 ft. oil on linen work by Buddy Capuano. This painting as well as one of the Columbus Central Market were displayed at Cappy and Son's Deli on High Street, north of the Lazarus building. When the deli closed in 2004, bc obtained the paintings from Capuano. In 2021, bc's wife, Johneen Griffin, donated both paintings to the Jewish Historical Society in Bexley.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, bc attended Columbus College of Art and Design when it was still a small art school, majoring in Fine Art. After serving in the Army in Europe, he became a sign artist for businesses throughout the Columbus area, starting his sole ownership sign business in 1978. Over nearly three decades, he created some of the most iconic advertising art in central Ohio.

Before the advent of computers and the use of vinyl, bc designed, created and sold his signs marketing his work through word of mouth. He cut letters with a router, made and pounced patterns, projected designs on a variety of objects then finished the job by painting and installing the sign.

bc created signs for numerous Worthington-area businesses, including Angels on High, Scottie MacBean, Pig Iron BBQ (now Iron Grill Barbeque and Brew), P.K. O'Ryan's, The Old Bag of Nails Pub, Celtic Corner, Magic Cruises & Tours and M.S. Abbott Jewelers.

In addition to his sign art, bc was an accomplished muralist, sculptor and painter of portraits, landscapes and other work, which were exhibited in galleries throughout central Ohio. In April 2022, bc’s 1992, 25-foot mural of the Columbus skyline became part of the permanent collection at The Ohio Arts Council.

bc said about his painting: "I love the aesthetics of all styles of art, but using oil, I favor creating atmospheric qualities in my realistic to abstract paintings. I enjoy completing oil pastels from my travels. The mesmerizing full moon is important in my life; I often portray it in my paintings."

bc and his family lived in Worthington for 22 years.