Neon is our thing! (We’re a little obsessed.) Whether you need a neon sign for your business, a neon piece for your home, or want to incorporate neon to into your own artwork, we do it all. We’re one of the only real neon shops left in San Francisco. Check out our portfolio below, and then get started here. We’d love to create your project for you.
Ames made “You Are Safe Here” for Jolene’s Bar In SF while working for Neon Works. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The SF Chronicle
Ames has over 30 years of experience creating every kind of project you can imagine.
Rebel Neon is created out of Ames belief that neon belongs in our future. Plastic LEDs are NO replacement. Neon is better for the environment and more aesthetically pleasing. There is simply no imitation.
Ames received their BFA from Alfred University in mixed media sculpture, and since then has worked in many different sign shops, creating hundreds of signs as well as their own art. They opened Rebel Neon Studios in 2019.
Exploratorium video featuring Ames: Glow | Ames Palms | Exploratorium
Article and video about Ames in SF Chronicle: Glass Bender melds art, science to create and restore neon signs.
SF Gate Article: San Francisco's disappearing neon landmarks are flickering back to life featuring an interview with Ames among many others.
Ames’ art has been featured in:
The Exploratorium’s 2021-2022 GLOW Exhibit.
The Svane Family Foundation Benefit Auction
Juxtapoze Magazine: The Ark Sets Sail at SFAI
The cover of the Spring 2021 issue of Glass: The UrbanGlass Art Quarterly
Neon Speaks Festival and Symposium 2020 - 2025
Coalition on Homelessness Art Auction 2025 - Housing Heals
Maitri’s 2025 art auction and exhibit Works of HeART
Art Span’s 2025 Open Studios
CALL IT WHAT IT IS: A Neon Show of Banned Words 2025
The inaugural ATRIUM art fair 2026 at Minnesota Street Projects
Ames enjoys a close working relationship with and creates neon for artists throughout the Bay Area.
“Panton Lounge Fire” was designed by artist Laura Stevenson of https://www.riteguydesign.com/ with neon made by Ames for Monroe Lounge in San Francisco
“Equal Pay” was designed by artist Michele Pred https://michelepred.com/ with neon made by Ames
“the thought of an outline as it refers to its outer self #2” and “in defiance of being here” are by artist Richard T. Walker (https://richardtwalker.net/) with neon made by Ames.
“Flux Is What Fluxus” Neon made by Ames for Artist Peter Combe (https://petercom.be/)
“I Still Love You” and “I May Be Wrong” are by artist Samantha Smith, (https://www.instagram.com/advicefromjohn/) with neon made by Ames Palms while working at Neon Works.
Ames created neon for the Ed Hardy exhibit in 2019 at the de Young museum while working at Neon Works.
