Offbeat L.A.: Big City Lights- An Enchanting Exhibit of Neon Sign Photography… Sign Geeks do MONA

Inside of MONA as captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

The darkened night lights up once again with the magic of glittering neon as the Sign Geeks photography collective returns with a new exhibit, and this one glows brighter than ever. Following a brilliant and extremely successful show in July 2014 at the Pomona Arts Colony, the group is poised and ready for the penultimate showing of their work, at the spectacular new home of the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale.

Postcard designed by Sign Geek Marc Shur

Photo captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

Curated by the incredible and multi-talented production team of Sharlynn Vee, Carlos Vargas and Marc Shur, this neon art photography exhibit features the hand picked work of 54 photographers world wide, with a total of 162 images. The Sign Geeks mutual love of old neon signs and their healthy obsession with capturing images plucked from the past, ironically allowed them to come together in the most modern of ways, the smartphone app, Instagram. As photographers bonded and appreciated each others work, the hashtag #SignGeeks was created and common admiration, inspiration and creativity was shared. This collection of artists found each other in an unlikely manner, but with a shared passion and purpose they are united, with cameras in hand, by the beckoning glow of neon lights in an otherwise dark night sky.

Outside looking in… Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee captures part of the exhibit

A beautiful neon diving girl atop the roof at MONA (photo by Sign Geek Gina Middleton)

Running from March 11 to June 19, 2016, the opening reception takes place on Friday April 1st at the Museum of Neon Art, also known as MONA. Founded in 1981, MONA recently found a permanent and graceful home in a newly constructed building, shimmering with glistening glass and elegant architectural lines, on Brand Blvd in downtown Glendale. MONA’s mission is simple in that they set out to collect and preserve vintage neon, while simultaneously promoting contemporary artists who push the boundaries of the art form. MONA’s meeting of minds and hearts with the photography of the Sign Geeks is a perfect fit. Both seek beauty and truth in the subtle glimmer of a neon glass tube.

Sign Geeks mission statement as photographed by Sharlynn Vee

Photograph by Sharlynn Vee

Museum of Neon Art: 216 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204. (818) 696-2149.