Hello Lightning Tamers!
Did you miss the illuminating talks at The Persistent Glow: The Conservation and Continuity of Neon Artworks? So did I. I would have loved to been a part of this, but things just didn’t line up for me. I have some great news — the entire symposium is now available to watch on YouTube.
If you have the time, each presentation is well worth the watch. The depth and range of knowledge shared throughout these talks will become an important part of the ongoing dialogue around neon conservation, preservation, and care for years to come.
Part 1, “Network and Ecosystem of Care,” features talks by neon artists, educators, and suppliers addressing the risks facing the craft and the systems that support it.
Part 2, “Care at the Artwork Level,” focuses on case studies presented by art conservators, neon conservators, and a neon artist–curator, highlighting the conservation of specific neon artworks.
About The Persistent Glow
Hosted on October 14-15, 2025 by the Art Institute of Chicago, The Persistent Glow: The Conservation and Continuity of Neon Artworks was a two-day workshop and symposium that brought together collections care professionals alongside neon artists and fabricators. The program addressed the many layered challenges involved in installing, maintaining, preserving, and caring for neon artworks and signs — both technically and culturally.
October 14 focused on an all-day, hands-on workshop led by Taylor Healy, Meryl Pataky, Joy Bloser, and Ellen Moody. The day began with an introductory lecture on neon technology and terminology, followed by guided neon assessment and documentation, and concluded with practical installation exercises.
October 15 featured an all-day symposium with presentations from leading neon experts sharing firsthand experiences in the preservation, restoration, and installation of neon artworks. The day concluded with a panel discussion exploring the networks of care required to sustain both neon objects and the craft itself, followed by a Q&A session. The symposium included live captioning and was recorded for public access.
This program was generously supported by the Karen and Jim Frank Conservation Fund and the Ruttenberg Conservation Fund.
If neon is part of your practice — past, present, or future — these talks are essential viewing.
