News & Happenings
2024
Mr Quick Atom Restoration
Marcel A. Comte from Bloomington, Illinois started up the hamburger chain that grew to approximately several hundred across the U.S. Tucson had two of the fast food hamburger stores. In the photos, you will see Steve bending and attaching the neon.
Restoration of the Iron Mask Sign
Gem, our U of A volunteer, began sanding the rusty mask, then she primed and painted it. Jude painted the details, adding a shadow and finally the neon to the Iron Mask. The sign can be found in our Stravenue Room.
2023
Ignite's 5 Year Celebration October 7th
Our Visit to the sign museums in Berlin and Warsaw
Buchstaben Museum Berlin
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Neon Muzeum Warsaw
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2022
Ignite-O-Lite |
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! |
Most recent addition to the collection is this Bedroxx Bowling Alley sign.
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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. |
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Ignite's Entry in the 2022 Parade of Lights Here's our entry in the Tucson Parade of Lights on December 17th. Video courtesy of Ignite's docent, Chuck Penson. |
2021
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Grant Stone Sign
The Grant Stone Sign came down when Grant Road was widened. The sign went to a sign yard before it was donated to Ignite Sign Art Museum. A class was held and this group of people signed on to help the restoration of the sign. |
Samaniego House Sign
Samaniego was an early settler. His house on Church Street became a restaurant. This sign was donated and restored.
Argon Alley
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The El Sahuaro Motel had to be removed from its location at 303 W. Flores. How the sign looked when it came in March 2021.
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El Sahuaro Sign The sign was sanded to find the original colors. The neon for El Sahuaro was tested and found to be green.
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The El Sahuaro Motel was finally finished in early 2024.
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Tiki Motel
The Tiki Motel on Oracle Road was purchased and torn down. The sign needed to be saved. It was saved by Cook & Company Signmakers and brought to Ignite Sign Art Museum for safe keeping.
2020
Even though Covid was a big factor in 2020, the projects at Ignite continued.
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2019
Jude hangs The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award received on May 25th for the Creation of Ignite Sign Art Museum in 2018 with the mission of preserving, restoring and displaying historically significant signs.
The Grill Restaurant of 100 E. Congress comes to Ignite Museum. This downtown opened in the 1940's and closed in 2011. Previous restaurants at that location included, the Stag Grill and Minerva Café. Would you believe the sign was found at a bordello in Calexico?
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Andrew of Arizona Illustrated records Jude on the beginnings of Ignite Sign Art Museum. The episode aired Sunday, January 27th, 2019.
We invite you to watch the link below. www.facebook.com/azillustrated/videos/362566071235186/?v=362566071235186 |
BABIES R USJude and Roderick bring the
Babies R Us to Ignite. This Denny's Diner sign is a recent acquisition. A base was built, followed by a cleaning, re-wiring, new neon and transformer.
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The Adventure Begins
Setting up Ignite in 2017
Ignite Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm |