Switched-on art

Neon has come a long way since the days when its typical use was for signs with succinct messages such as “EAT.” The 2018 Neon Light Show, held in the UW Stock Pavilion on April 21, included glass sculptures and artwork created by more than 45 artists from UW–Madison, Alfred University (New York), Brooklyn Glass (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago, and many artists from Wisconsin.

“For many people, neon is advertising, but in the hands of a creative, it becomes so much more,” organizer Tom Zickuhr told Isthmus. “When you combine glass, rare gas and electricity, it’s easy to see the beauty in neon — the artist is literally catching lightning in a bottle.”

Visitors walk amid glowing artwork during the 2018 Neon Light Show. Photo by: Jeff Miller

UW–Madison has one of the few university neon art programs in the nation. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Intrigued attendees stop to make a selfie bathed in neon light. Photo by: Jeff Miller

The theme of this year's show was "Balance." Photo by: Jeff Miller

The show was held in the Stock Pavilion after being on on hiatus since 2013. Photo by: Jeff Miller

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