You’re invited to a walking tour of local neon signs in Brisbane by local neon artist Michael Blazek. Neon signs have a long and colourful history, and Michael Blazek of Neon Signs Australia, the last remaining Neon sign manufacturer in Brisbane, will show you 20 neon signs in downtown Brisbane. The tour includes vintage and new signs, artist projects, architecture and installations. Special attention will be paid to neon letterforms and various approaches to typography in the world of neon. Attendees will learn about Australia’s neon history and gain insight into the unique art of neon sign making.
Register here
Sign up for the this amazing event now! Just a heads up, each registration means you’ve got one spot reserved. If you want to join the event, make sure each person registers separately. Once you’re signed up, you’ll get an email with the meeting spot address.
The maximum number of participants is 25, so don’t wait to grab your spot! There is no charge for this event, but you must pre-register.
Kate Widdows is an American graphic designer, letterer, and type designer focused on brand identity, neon, and illustration for clients such as Nike, Dunkin’, HuffPo, and Drag City Records. Kate co-founded PDX Neon to advocate for preservation and legislative protection of the local neon treasury in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Kate co-produced the Neon Speaks Festival & Symposium in San Francisco, presented at TypeCon, Typographics, and Design Week Portland, and has given interviews for television, podcasts, and articles on the subject of typography and neon.
Michael Blazek, aka “Mr. Neon,” is a Brisbane-based neon artist and member of legendary neon family The Blazeks of northern Wisconsin. Michael learned glassbending from his father, Dean Blazek, a renowned neon teacher and creator of the highly influential Neon ABC Alphabets book series, showcasing his tube-bending patterns for foundational neon letterforms. Michael spent a few years bending down under, co-founded Western Neon in Seattle, and returned to Brisbane in 1990 to open the award-winning Neon Signs Australia. Michael and Dean co-authored Neon: The Next Generation, a compendium of essential neon wisdom. Michael teaches tube bending and leads neon tours.
Kate Widdows 
Michael Blazek