Creative Sarah Schreck chosen to adorn the beloved “MTK” sign welcoming residents and visitors alike .
Montauk, NY – In time for the summer season, Visit Montauk and the Montauk Chamber of Commerce have unveiled the 2024 design of its iconic “MTK” sign, which was completed by creative Sarah Schreck. Featuring a beach-inspired mosaic in white and blues, the winning concept was chosen from the many submissions the executive team at the Chamber received and reviewed.
Schreck’s painting depicts everything from fishing to the wildlife and flora (Montauk daisy, seaside goldenrod, and other native plants) of the area to the skyscape meeting the sea, while also drawing upon the number of outdoor activities that make the destination hum, from surfing, hiking, and biking. This is all tied together through her use of familiar hues and colors: the color scheme is not only nautical and summery, but also pays some homage to the wampum beads, made from quahog shells, used in the payment system by the indigenous Montauk people.
“I have been spending summers in Montauk for the past number of years through my partner Jack and his family, and my love for the community has only continued to grow,” said Schreck. “I try to pack as much as I can into my schedule while I’m here, much like I tried to pack as much as I could onto the sign, to show the many dimensions of Montauk. I can’t express my gratitude enough to Jack, his family, and the friends I’ve made out here who make this place so special – and for exposing the magic of the place to me in the first place.”
“Each season, we get very excited to put out the call to the community to invite them to share with us concepts and creative ideas for our welcome sign,” said Mariah Miltier, Executive Director for the Chamber and Visit Montauk. “From the many proposals we received, Sarah’s stood out as not only visually striking but, the more you look at it, the more the motifs and elements that make Montauk so special pop-out to viewers. It is full of little Easter eggs to charm visitors.”
“Montauk is such a vibrant community and destination, and we get incredibly energized to show off the talents of both our locals and steadfast visitors each season,” continued Miltier.
In a way, the letters serve as a billboard for the hamlet, and, over the years, they have established themselves as a popular backdrop for scores of selfies to ultimately be shared across social media. And with Montauk’s beaches looking bigger and better than ever, 2024 promises to be one of the busiest seasons yet.
About Sarah Schreck
Sarah Schreck is a full-time graphic designer, regular yoga teacher, and occasional playwright. She tries to keep up her art practice in the midst of many, ever-evolving side passions. When she’s not in Montauk, she lives in New Haven with her partner, Jack. She’s originally from Orlando, Florida, and would love to pet your dog this summer.