Neon Glass Bending Workshops
Our neon workshops provide insight and experience into a world of unique, high-skilled craft and design; well-suited for the beginner, enthusiast and seasoned professional artist alike.
Each workshop has space for four students and they tend to fill up quickly. A deposit of $250.00 is required to reserve your spot. Your deposit will be applied toward the final cost at the conclusion of the workshop.
Workshops are conducted at our shop in Raleigh, NC. We can also perform glass-bending demonstrations at your location, contact us for more details.
*Open studio hours may be granted to those who have taken one of our classes and wish to continue their neon journey. This opportunity will be assessed on a case by case base. Please inquire with Lightship Neon management for more info*
During class you will:
Meet and learn from our talented and knowledgeable instructors,
Hear an overview of the history and science of neon illumination and how we’re keeping this art form alive in the face of new technologies,
Establish safe studio practices and become accustomed to the tools of the trade,
Understand the importance of neon patterns and design your very own,
Be introduced to the methods of bending neon tubes in both the ribbon burner and crossfire torches,
Watch and discuss the bombarding process,
Take home your very own neon masterpiece!
Neon Lite - $475.00
Designed for those with no prior neon experience or have a busy schedule and want to explore the world of neon, these Lite classes are a one time, four hour session held Mondays from either 12-4pm or 5:30-9:30pm. Your workshop will include an overview on the history and science of neon sign making, demonstrations in glass bending and neon tube processing in our shop, the opportunity to pick out or design a pattern to create, and up to two hours of time in the fires to bend your glass.
Following the conclusion of the workshop, our staff will complete and fabricate your sign, and it’ll be ready for pickup no earlier than one week later.
* Note: evening sessions of the Neon Lite workshop require 2+ attendees to conduct; if you are the sole registered participant, we reserve the right to reschedule your session to another date, to ensure a minimum level of participation. We’ll make every attempt to work with you to accommodate your schedule when making changes. This does not apply to afternoon sessions, which can be conducted with a single participant.
The Neon Lite experience can also be purchased as a private workshop for 1-6 participants at a date and time of your choosing (such as a weekend afternoon). Use the contact form below to connect with us and we can discuss pricing & scheduling - this makes for an ideal family outing or pre-wedding experience.
Build-a-Neon - $975.00
This intensive neon workshop runs four weeks with classes conducted on Wednesday evenings from 6pm–9pm. We will provide all the tools and materials necessary to create the neon sign of your dreams! You will learn the rich history and intricate science of creating a neon masterpiece, and then utilize that newfound knowledge to design your very own. You will have time to use practice glass to develop your skill, as well as full access to our wide arrange of colored tubes, one neon transformer, as well as our standard background material to create your finished project.*
The sky is the limit with this neon course!
Class syllabus:
Week 1: Studio tour, glass bending and neon processing demonstration, pattern-making overview,
Week 2: Finalizing patterns, hands-on glass bending time,
Week 3: Hands-on glass bending time,
Week 4: Fabrication and unveiling of your completed neon sign.
* Additional costs may apply for supplemental transformers, animators, dimmers, custom mounting materials, or limited-stock glass.
Corporate Team Building - Contact us for pricing
We also offer one-of-a-kind experiences for small to medium teams looking for an alternative to the standard corporate events. We offer three tiers of corporate event. All three tiers begin with a tour of our shop, neon history & science information, and demonstration of glass bending and neon tube processing.
Basic
All participants will have the opportunity to create non-illuminated take home souvenirs made of real glass, which they’ve bent in our 1,000ºF torches.
Intermediate
All participants will have the opportunity to create non-illuminated take home souvenirs made of real glass, which they’ve bent in our 1,000ºF torches.
In addition, your group will collaborate on the creating of a single sign (such as a team logo) to take back to your home/office, with each participant being able to proudly point out which section of glass they bent in class.
Full Service
All participants will have the opportunity to create non-illuminated take home souvenirs made of real glass, which they’ve bent in our 1,000ºF torches.
In addition, each member of your group will be able to pick out a design and create their own individual sign to take home. Standard designs measure approximately 24”x24,” and use up to four colors and a single transformer.
Pricing for these options will depend on the number of participants and the complexity of the design(s) your group will be looking to create. Contact us using the form below to start a conversation on how we can tailor an event that your team will be talking about for months or years to come.
Just like our Neon Lite courses above, projects will be finished by our team and made available for pickup no earlier than one week following the completion of the workshop. We can arrange shipping for out-of-town participants for a nominal fee.
If you do not see the date you’re looking for above, or if you’d like to inquire about a private workshop or corporate team building event, contact us using the form below.