Building a Neon Shop

Name: Building a Neon Shop
Start: 2026-06-29T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-07-03T18:00:00-04:00
Location: 892 Scott St., Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43222

Schedule

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am to Fri, 03 Jul, 2026 at 06:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

892 Scott St., Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43222 | Columbus, OH

This intensive one-week workshop invites students to participate in the design and construction of a functioning neon shop at Columbus Glass Art Center. Throughout the week, participants will gain a practical understanding of how a neon studio is built and operated, while actively contributing to the installation of key shop systems.
Students will be introduced to the essential components of a working neon facility, including the high-vacuum manifold used for processing tubes, gas distribution systems, and the practical trades involved in setting up a shop such as plumbing and carpentry. Along the way, we will cover foundational shop practices that support safe, efficient, and professional neon work.
Building a neon shop is a complex undertaking, and part of this course will focus on understanding when and how to collaborate with skilled professionals for specialized work. As the neon industry continues to evolve, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the infrastructure behind the medium and help return this powerful material to the hands of artists.
Students may be interested in supporting the development of the Columbus Glass Art Center’s neon facilities, or they may be planning to build or upgrade a neon studio of their own. This all-levels workshop is ideal for artists, fabricators, and curious builders who want a deeper understanding of how neon shops function.
By the end of the week, students will put the newly built system into action. With instructor guidance, participants will have the opportunity to bend and process a neon tube of their own using the equipment installed during the workshop.
Instructor: James Akers