New Year New Neon

Celebrate the new year with a new skill – neon sign bending! Through a combination of lectures, demos and guided work time, students will learn how to heat and bend glass tubes into playful shapes that will become neon lights. This workshop is perfect for someone who wants to learn, get a refresher, or gain more confidence in foundational neon techniques. That includes everything you need to know to hang up, wire and plug in your own neon at home!

Additional work time for intensive students: Students will also have access to additional hours in the flame shop, without instruction, on Tuesday - Friday from 5-8pm. Students must be able to work safely in the studio, and be able to set up their area without needing instruction. Students participating in student hours will need to be approved by the instructor and TA’s.

What to expect: No prior experience in neon is necessary, but all skill levels are welcome. Introductory students will learn the basic bends of neon and will bend freehand without a pattern to create zigzags, squiggles or simple shapes. Intermediate and advanced students will be provided patterns of shapes to practice but will also be encouraged to design their own pattern. Demos at the beginning of the week will focus on the basics and throughout the week will progress into shapes like stars and hearts that have closing bends. At the end of the week, we will cover mounting and wiring neon signs.

Clean-up time is included in the duration of class, and usually the last 20 minutes of class are dedicated to cleaning your workstation. Read more about how to prepare for class on our Registration Info page.

With neon work, participants primarily engage in standing activities such as bending and assembling neon tubes over a torch flame. Working with glass materials requires a certain level of dexterity. Learn more about accessibility on our website.

Eligibility: No previous experience required. Open to ages 14 and up.

Pick-up: Neon tubes may be bombarded during class, however should processing take additional time, students will have to return to UrbanGlass once notified to pick up their work.

This is an in-person class taking place on-site at UrbanGlass. Health and safety guidelines will be emailed to you upon registration.

We recommend registering for classes early to reserve your spot! We base materials, and teacher needs off of student enrollment. Early registration not only guarantees your spot in class, but also helps to ensure the class will run. Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled within two weeks of the start date of class. Contact our Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at arianna@urbanglass.org if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

Class Schedule

• Beginner / All Levels | 5 Sessions: January 5 — January 9
  Tuesday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm