Cadosia-based Galloping Horse Graphics recently played a large hand in the much anticipated revamp of the Bicentennial Bell Garden in Philadelphia.

Owner John Farnsworth teamed up with Trout Brook Studio Metal Fabricator and Sculptor Vallessa Monk for this project.

The project found its roots when the Project Manager, Michael Delvecchio, of G Force Engineering and Construction, Michael Delvecchio, was personally recommended to them by the Tompkins Bluestone company in Hancock. 

As a graphics company, Farnsworth felt it was an honor to be considered for their project. 

G Force was seeking bids for different parts of the project, and Galloping Horse submitted a bid for engraving 39 stones weighing 400 to 800 pounds each which formed the base of a fountain at the Bell Garden in Philadelphia.

“We thought that it was a long shot that we would get the bid, but lo and behold, we won the bid!” exclaimed Farnsworth.

The time taken to complete this project was estimated by Farnsworth to be about 12 weeks.

Galloping Horse commenced their project in mid-February and successfully brought it to completion during the first week of May.

 Throughout the duration of the project, there were intermittent rainy days which posed challenges and caused some delays. 

Farnsworth, the lead contractor, stated that he had never been more cognizant and attentive to weather patterns than during this meticulous undertaking.

Speaking of challenges, this project wasn’t without a fare share of them that Farnsworth’s acute dedication allowed him to overcome.

When faced with the challenge of handling and storing 400-800 pound Bluestones, the first task at hand was to devise a thorough strategy. 

Bluestone, being a sandstone, is porous and prone to breakage, demanding precise care and attention during handling. 

To tackle this daunting task, Farnsworth wasted no time tapping into all available resources, seeking guidance from seasoned professionals like Bill and Rich at Tompkins to ensure meticulous execution. 

Alongside grappling with weather-related setbacks, they encountered unexpected equipment malfunctions and struggled to secure a skilled personnel for engraving work assistance. 

Despite these obstacles, the support and assistance of several individuals proved invaluable to Farnsworth and his team.

Enabling him to enlist the services of highly experienced engravers who played a crucial role proved highly effective to him in overcoming these challenges successfully.

“I asked advice from people with experience in this kind of work, and kept faith that all would be okay, as long as we stayed positive and persevered.” Farnsworth remarked.

There was also a specific design they had to follow and thus, no deviations were allowed. 

They received a CAD file of the design– and were tasked with engraving the names of the 13 original colonies within the concentric circular design to be assembled at the site in Philadelphia. 

While being very careful with handling the bluestones, they took meticulous care with the measurements and engravings to make sure the integrity of the design would be maintained once it was finished.

Galloping Horse

Galloping Horse Graphics, Inc. began operations on March 1st, 2023. 

The company’s inception came about as a result of us acquiring the established business from good friend, Bill Gross, a seasoned entrepreneur who had been diligently running a successful sign business for about twenty-five years.

As new owners, their primary objective revolves around upholding the legacy of hard work that Bill had meticulously built, with a keen focus on serving their loyal base of clientele, which comprises municipalities and various public service organizations. 

“Our goal is to continue to serve our existing customers which include municipalities and public service organizations and expand our capabilities to service a larger area in Upstate NY, Northwestern PA, and beyond,” said Farnsworth.

Initially, Farnsworth did not know anything about the sign business.

Following a detailed discussion with Bill, Farnsworth was intrigued. 

He loves working with customers and helping their businesses grow.

Additionally, by the nature of the work itself, he had to work with his hands and a computer in contrast to only a computer, which is what he had been doing prior.  

“I learned a lot from Bill – he has been instrumental in my success by sharing his knowledge and showing me the ropes,” Farnsworth recalled fondly. “Also, there is an obvious need for signs for any business. “

“A good outdoor sign among other things, constantly promotes a company brand, communicates the aesthetic value of the company, and informs and engages potential customers.”

Looking toward the future, Farnsworth and his team are looking forward to and welcoming opportunities to partake in projects larger than this.

“Diving into this business has taught me to be comfortable facing challenges and pushing through fear of failure.  My wife once told me about a quote she read, “Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm!”