PROJECT CASE HISTORIES

ERIC DEMOS NEON TUBING IN CUBA

Eric demos neon prep technique...

...and how to fire and bend the neon tube

Eric Rothwarf, Owner of Sky Neon Signs, visited Havana for two weeks to consult with artist and neon impresario Kadir Lopez.  Shortly after this demo was filmed by a Cuban crew, Eric had to jump from teaching and setting up Kadir's shop to making the neon for a large stage backdrop. Omara Portuondo, of Buena Vista Social Club fame, commissioned the work for her final performance of the "Last Kiss" tour. Kadir's crew, with Eric making all the turquoise neon, were able to complete the project in less than a week. See a clip from the concert and learn more about the installation, Cuba Trip Grand Finale.

PISTOLAS DEL SUR

The totem pole is just under 22 feet tall and a wing span of a little less than 10 feet wide. It has over 200 feet of neon. The colors are EGL Emerald Green and EGL Novial Gold, both of which are made from glass imported from Italy. The glass is powered by 7 individual 9060 transformers.

Kevin Bridges crafted most of the glass work (all the hard stuff), with a small portion created by Hristo Hristov (P,I) and Eric Rothwarf (the feathers). Considering the care required by the riggers to transport the fragile sign, it was quite lucky that only one small piece of glass broke on the trip from the our shop in the Northeast to the site in South Philly!  We used the crane services of DA Signs for the installation.  Paul Stales of Advanta signs in Levittown fabricated most of the metal and planned the installation. 

MAC MART

The outdoor open face channel bubble raceway mounted sign was made with neon glass recycled from a previous project. Sky Neon fabricated a raceway and mounted the glass letters in channel bubbles.  Indoor signs were designed by Sedso Design and Rohe Creative. Wall mounted PVC letters and Metal channels were fabricated to spec by Rodon Signs. All neon fabrication and installation by Sky Neon.

MISSION TAQUERIA

Chrysalis Studios, contracted Sky Neon Signs to create and install the Mission Taqueria exterior neon sign, as well as interior neon accents throughout the restaurant: In the skylight above the bar, behind the seating area, and even a neon halo for the statue of Mary in a intimate courtyard that takes a nod to classic Spanish/Moorish architecture. Altogether, the fun yet sophisticated atmosphere, along with great food, makes this new restaurant on Sansom Street, Philadelphia a delightful dining destination. Thank you, Len Davidson, neon sign maker extraordinaire  for the referral! Check out this story about Len's quest to find a permanent home for the Philadelphia Neon Museum.

ALOFT HOTEL, PHILADELPHIA

Sky Neon recently fabricated and installed neon for Aloft, Philadelphia at Broad and Arch streets. 'Hello There' Script is 10mm designer 30 glass on a rigid black background, protected with a round plexiglass shield, and held in place with five 3 inch anodized aluminum standoffs. 'W/M' (bathroom sign) is 6500 white glass on a rectangular black background with a plexiglass shield, held in place with four 3 inch anodized aluminum standoffs.  'BACK YARD' uses 12mm egl BLUE pumped red for a pink color, mounted in a waterproof plexiglass box in the outdoor bar area.