Wearable Neon

In this workshop, we will create wearable and portable pieces of neon that you can bring with  you everywhere. We will reconsider the idea of wearable materials and their relationship to our body, and learn how to make glass and neon light as part of an extension of our body that would  otherwise not exist. Whether wearing them directly on the body as a fashion accessory or as part of a costume, or carrying portable neon signage for personal and artistic expression, the  possibilities are endless. These creations don't have to live on your body—they can be part of an  art bike, a car, or a creative way to promote your business while mingling at an event. At the end  of the workshop, we'll host a fashion show where students can showcase their creations to the  class. 

This workshop is a collaboration with MIT Media Lab to develop an open-source educational kit  that provides a plug-and-play electronics kit to interface with neon, which students can take  home afterward. We'll teach you how to connect and assemble the electronic kit and neon  transformers. No prior experience with programming or physical computing is required—just an  open mind and a curious spirit to explore the possibilities of neon. 

Neon has been a part of architectural lighting, signage, lighting devices, and is widely used in  mixed media artwork. In this workshop, we'll examine the traditional uses of neon in modern society and explore its future. For example, we'll create lights to illuminate or amplify parts of  our bodies, viewing the human form as dynamic architecture—a living system of feelings and experiences that shapes our physical appearance and transforms how we carry ourselves daily. 

A few questions to consider prior to the workshop: 

Come and make interactive costumes that we can turn on and off, that react and change colors and brightness based on our heart rate, our walking strides, or the weather. What do we want to sense and react to in the world? 

What to expect: This workshop is for all levels. For beginners, we'll focus on design and basic techniques. For  intermediate students, we'll concentrate on making three-dimensional work. For advanced  students, we can explore incorporating lettering into wearable designs. Our pedagogy and  workshop motto begins with: "What's the simplest thing that could possibly work?" 

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

• 9 Sessions: February 3 — March 31
  Tuesday, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm