Photo by Jessica Christian for The SF Chronicle, 2018
About
Ames Palms has been bending neon just about every day since 1995. They are passionate about creating the highest quality neon signs and art and preserving neon for future generations.
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.
Article and video about Ames in SF Chronicle: Glass Bender melds art, science to create and restore neon signs.
Video by SF Chronicle
Ames’ art was featured in the Exploratorium’s 2021-2022 GLOW Exhibit.
Ames runs Rebel Neon with their wife Annie. They have lived in San Francisco for over 20 years where they’re raising their 2 kids and 1 dog.