CMG member Parc Signs has brought its full creative and technical capability to the fore with the exhibition design behind SURF!, a bold new exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
The St Austell based team handled every aspect of design and fabrication in-house – from initial concept development to final installation – marking their first end-to-end exhibition project design for the Maritime Museum.
The result is a compelling example of Cornish manufacturing in action, showcasing what’s possible when design, craftsmanship and regional pride combine.
Parc’s Technical Designer said: “This was a huge opportunity to show what our team is capable of. We had to solve some complex challenges, like how to securely display 100+ surfboards of all shapes and sizes. What we created wasn’t just functional, but beautiful too. This was a pivotal part of the whole exhibition, it was so important for us to get this right.”
Working closely with curator Dr. Sam Bleakley and the NMMC team, Parc Signs designed the exhibition layout across five themed zones: Cultural, Craft, Activism, Participation and Arts. Key highlights include a bespoke modular mounting system to safely display over 100 surfboards, including a dramatic 37ft board suspended in the main gallery, along with detailed recreations of local surfing landmarks and a fully restored VW camper van at the heart of the exhibition.
With more than 60 years of experience designing and manufacturing signage, displays and public installations, Parc Signs is known for its technical problem-solving and craft-led approach.
As a member of Cornwall Manufacturing Group, the team continues to champion local talent and capability demonstrating the region’s strength in delivering high-quality, complex projects with national reach.
SURF! is now open at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and runs until January 2027
*Image courtesy of National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Ian Cross Photography