At Ignite Sign Art Museum,
we believe
"There's No Other Light Like Neon."
January 2023
Neon ClassesIgnite offers several neon classes.
Playing with Fire I is an all day class where students learn simple bends and leave with a lighted abstract neon sculpture they created. The Neon Project Class is a two hour class where students select a salvaged piece of neon glass and learn the skills necessary to assemble and light up their own neon sculpture. |
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December 2022
Here's our entry in the Tucson Parade of Lights on December 17th. Video courtesy of Ignite's docent, Chuck Penson.
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The Tucson Inn Lights Up
Ignite's docent and neon bender, Chuck Penson, photographs the Tucson Inn lighting up for the first time after many years of going dark. As Chuck photographs, so does the Arizona Daily Star. Chuck's hands make the front page news story. Thanks to all that made this lighting possible, Pima College, Tucson Historical Society, Cook & Company Signmakers and Fluoresco Services. |
November 2022
The first section of the Grill sign goes up on Argon Alley.
October 2022
August 2022
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Club Esquire
The Club Esquire sign was donated to Ignite recently. This is a part of downtown Tucson's history that no one knew still existed. This is a particularly exciting find. Club Esquire existed from the 1950s until the 1980s when it closed. The owner tried to move it, but with no success. It's been stored in a back yard for over 30 years. The sign will be restored.
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July 2022
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Close-Inn CourtsThe Close-Inn Courts was located at 1521 S. 6th Avenue. This "No Vacancy" sign from the 1930s came in. A friend of Ignite, Steve Gibson, brought it back to Tucson from San Diego where it had been in storage for a number of years.
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June 2022
Showing progress on Argon Alley thanks to our awesome volunteers.
May 2022
Most recent addition to the collection is this Bedroxx Bowling Alley sign.
March 2022
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Sierra Madre Drugs This vintage 1930s Sierra Madre Drugs sign recently came by way of the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is now getting new neon glass. This sign has beautiful scrolling detailing at the top and along the sides and the bottom. We are currently researching more information on the original location of this sign. While it says Sierra Madre, there is a ghost of letters underneath. |
Rincon Market
The first sign is up in Argon Alley. The Rincon Market opened in 1926 at 2513 E. 6th Street and became a landmark in the historic Sam Hughes Neighborhood. In addition to groceries, one could eat in the cafe. |
February 2022
Ignite-O-Lite
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Chuck demonstrates our new interactive Ignite-O-Lite Mach 3 display. This hands on display was crafted with 24 Neon Units, 24 Buttons, and 24 organ chords. Many creative minds and hands (Chuck, Jude, Steve, Andy, Alex and Jim) created this unique light sculpture for all ages to enjoy! |
December 2021
Tiki Motel sign came down at 2649 E. Oracle and needed a home. It will stay at Ignite until further notice.
April to November 2021
Argon Alley (ongoing)
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July 2021
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This margarita sign once hung in the Red Robin Restaurant at Tucson Mall. The restaurant closed July 4th, 2017 and this sign was purchased at the auction and recently donated to Ignite. It now lights up Ignite's bar area.
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El Sahuaro Motel Sign
How the sign looked when it came in March 2021.
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El Sahuaro Sign
The El Sahuaro Motel had to be removed from its location at 303 W. Flores. The sign was sanded to find the original colors. The neon for El Sahuaro was tested and found to be green. As of now, we are not able to find original artwork for the cactus. We continue to search for old photographs. |
How it looks now, November 2021.
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February 2021
Sign Restoration
This awesome group of people signed up for our two day restoration class to restore the Grant Stone Shopping Center sign. They removed neon, letter housings, stripped the sign can and began repainting. Stay tuned for an update on the sign progress and the evening lighting ceremony.
January 2021
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Samaniego was an early settler. His house on Church Street became a restaurant. This sign was donated and restored.
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November 2020
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The Neon Experience
The new Neon Experience Display came to Ignite. The neon movie is now in the center of the display. Push all the buttons and learn about the noble gases that create the neon sign colors.
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Fall 2020
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New neon video
The full video that highlights the history of neon and demonstrates how neon signs are crafted can be seen at Ignite in the Neon Experience display. Film created by Chuck & Kathryn Penson. |
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May 2020
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Installed this cute CVS neon sign on the corner of the sign yard. This sign came from the CVS location at Campbell and University Avenue. It is neon. This may be a sign created specifically for that location, so we don't know if there are others like it. |
April 2020
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We have been busy during the Covid -19 pandemic adding new displays. This is one of our changes that you will see when you come to the museum. |
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March 2020
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Jude is getting all the rusted sockets loosened up. This amazingly long arrow came to us from Safford, Arizona.
It has a cool Time-o-matic flasher on the end of the arrow, that will make all the light bulbs flash. |
February 2020
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Installing the National Auto Glass Sign that once lit up a building at 2418 N. Stone. Came down due to change in owner ship.
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