The first commercial neon sign was lit in 1910. More than 100 years later, neon tubes have largely been replaced by LED lighting, particularly in outdoor commercial applications. Still, neon remains a mesmerizing art form of sculpture made from light. In this introductory class, you’ll explore a bit of the history of neon, gain an understanding of safety protocols and the technical aspects of neon tubing, before moving on to practice bending and assembly techniques. Like playing an instrument, bending neon tubing takes consistent practice, so we recommend that you attend all class sessions. In one of the final class sessions, you’ll take a field trip to the instructor’s neon studio to pump, fill, seal, and electrify your neon tube, so you can take home a finished piece. All materials and components are included. | $290 ($240 tuition + $50 materials)
Instructor: Jon Ault was first introduced to neon as a student at MCAD in the late 70's. In 1982, he started Neonistics Custom Neon Designs. His company produced thousands of feet of neon, both custom and commercial, through 1996. He has been working as a freelance glass bender for other companies since then. He's taught neon classes at MCAD and the American School of Neon. His goal in teaching at CAFAC is to introduce a new generation to the possibilities of the creative use of neon and to pass on the knowledge of the craft.
