Artist Interview: Jon Ault, neon artist and instructor

The vibrant glow of neon light has graced storefronts and streetscapes for generations. Though less used commercially these days, neon still has an aura that draws artists. We sat down to talk to CAFAC instructor and neon artist, Jon Ault, about his decades bending neon light.

One of Jon’s signs. The first Neonistics shop was at Nicollet & 26th, now the home of Roadrunner Records.

Jon started his neon journey as an MCAD student in the 1970s. They had a neon shop and an “old timer” who’d worked in neon since the ‘50s but not a formal program. Jon says all he had to do was ask to give it a try, and that’s how he started his informal education and lifelong career in neon bending. MCAD eventually taught classes in neon and as neon’s popularity surged in the 1980s, the American School of Neon also offered classes in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. 

With an MCAD degree under his belt, Jon held a string of varied jobs, but seeing the high demand for neon by designers and architects, he decided to launch his own neon business. He quit his sales job, spent some savings living on a beach in Mexico for a few months, and then apprenticed with local neon artist Beth Juliar. In 1981 he opened Neonistics and hit the ground running. At its peak, Neonistics had a salesperson and two full-time neon benders on staff. He did a lot of commercial work, from Arby’s signs to the Lotus restaurant in Loring Park. Jon also enjoyed private commission work, including a neon Ray Charles ordered by a guy who wandered into his shop, and two 3-foot tall George Jetson sculptures bought by a wealthy father for his twin daughters.

One of Jon’s more creative private commissions, Ray Charles in neon.

Jon kept busy at Neonistics through the 1990s but the development of easy-to-use and affordable LED light dealt a blow to neon signage in the early 2000s. Minneapolis had been a hotspot for neon sign shops and suppliers, but now most are closed. Still, Jon currently has plenty of work bending neon for Kaufman Signs, a Minneapolis sign company since 1935. He attributes the mid-century modern design aesthetic as a driver of much of that demand. 

Jon has also taught neon on and off over the years and championed the startup of CAFAC’s program in 2017. He’s happy to be sharing his knowledge of the art and science of neon and points out that most neon artists currently working are of his generation. Because of the learning curve and the lack of training programs, there are few younger people doing neon. Jon says he doesn’t see the demand for neon going away entirely however. It’s got a captivating allure, continuing to draw enthusiasts, artists, and designers to its unique glow.

Start your neon learning journey with classes at CAFAC!

You can also take neon classes at Foci Center for Glass Arts in Minneapolis.

Remember Newton’s Apple? Here’s Jon featured on the show in 1988.