Manufacturing
Western Neon Excels at Creating Illuminating Experiences
Western Neon creates the signs of our times
By Bill Conroy October 21, 2019
This article originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in the October 2019 issue and is presented by Impact Washington. Click here for a free subscription.
Western Neon is a Seattle institution, with its custom neon signs gracing a range of the citys best-known establishments, including the Hugo House, Trailbend Taproom, Sodo Urbanworks and Sam Choys Poke to the Max to name just a few. It also lights up Seattles suds history as the creator of the famous Rainier Beer R now restored and housed at The Museum of History and Industry. The company, founded in 1985, gave birth to the Western Neon School of Art, a nonprofit based in Seattle that is built around the exploration of light, space and interactive technologies. It was the brainchild of Western Neon owner and President Andre Lucero, who envisioned a school focused on teaching the history and skills of illuminated media. The 25-employee Western Neon offers a full range of sign-related services, including exterior and interior signage, electronic-message displays and architectural lighting as well as design, installation, repair and restoration services.
A newly made neon piece is bombarded for processing.
Glass bender Will Kirtley heats a piece of glass for shaping.
A neon unit is illuminated after processing for testing.
Metal-shop team member Garth works on a public art piece for the city of Edmonds.
Letters for a new PCC Market are sorted as they are routed and fabricated.