NEON WORKSHOPS
Workshops are held in Meryl's San Francisco studio. All workshops are one-on-one unless otherwise noted. Priced per person. Group classes by request, please reach out.
VACCINATIONS AND RECENT NEGATIVE TESTING REQUIRED
Read FAQ’s at bottom of page before booking, please.
SINGLE INTRO
A B S T R A C T
This is a beginner workshop designed to offer students optimal time to get comfortable in the fires practicing without diving into a pre-designed pattern.
You can entertain a very simple design or simply make a 3-dimensional & free form piece similar to image. Not for specific designs and projects requiring a plan or pattern.
PROJECT BASED WORKSHOPS
2 DAY
IMMERSIVE
For the student that has a specific project in mind. The artist that wants to include light in their work. The student that may be serious about getting into the trade. 2 days, 6 hours.
EXTENDED IMMERSIVE
For the student who wants more time with a project in mind. Also good intensive introduction for those wanting to build skill. 3 days, 9 hours
…CONTINUING
L A B
So much of this skill is about muscle memory and “getting hours”. If you are wondering how to continue to practice, LAB is an opportunity to spend time building skill in the fires after you’ve taken an intro or immersive. As a continuing student, you purchase and store your own case of glass at the studio.
Day rate fixed . Minimum 2 hours and max 4 hours per day.
Students will work more independently than in a workshop environment. I will be present in the studio and available if needed, but you fly solo.
FAQ's
Q: Do I need any experience in neon making?
A: Nope! Just come and be yourself! (LAB requires a pre-requisite)
Q: What information do I need? Where is the studio?
A: Studio is located on Bryant Street, SOMA/Portrero Hill area in San Francisco. All information will be provided after booking.
Q: Are all materials included?
A: Glass, electrodes and “bombarding” (getting your project to light up) are supplied for most classes. LAB classes require the purchasing of your own glass to practice with and bombarding is charged per unit. There are unit quantity limits on IMMERSIVE classes (more info during booking and below). With IMMERSIVE classes, some students opt for purchasing their own glass if they intend to focus more on perfecting the skill and less on a finished product (email for info here). **Not included is the power supply for a finished piece made in the studio. I will supply you with all of the information to order yourself. They are approximately $50 and are shipped from San Diego.
Q: What kind of stuff can I make?
A: Keep an open mind to let the material inform your ideas. Here is your first lesson in glass - it can be unpredictable. Things do break, even when you’re almost done. It doesn't really seem to care if you spent a lot of time on it. Keep your expectations reasonable for your first time. IMMERSIVE project based classes: 2 Day includes 1 unit projects (up to 5 ft) and EXTENDED includes max 2 unit projects. Additional charges apply if going outside the scope of the workshop - you can opt to pay to process more units. Please keep in mind if you go outside of the scope, you may run out of time and not complete your ambitious project. Please consider booking LAB time to create more work or commission me!
Q: Can I make my company's logo or my mom's name?
A: All students wanting to create specific designs or projects need to take one of the IMMERSIVE classes. While I have been delighted by the talent I've seen in my studio during these workshops, I can't guarantee that anyone will be able to bend text and complicated designs in any class, no matter how long. Again, if you chose a complicated design that goes outside of the normal scope, you may not be able to complete it. You will not create specific designs in the Abstract class.
Q: Is a finished project guaranteed?
A: While the goal is to send you home with a finished product, sometimes students choose challenging ideas that push the time constraints or the material allotment for the class. Anything can happen and sometimes things can get very challenging. If we run out of time or material, there will be extra cost to finish after the allotted material and time has run out.
Q: Can I travel with the neon if I'm coming from out of town?
A: Depending on the size, yes!! They fit well in a small box that you can travel on an airplane with. Security never questions it. Just make sure that it is your only carry on and you will have to store under the seat in front of you, not the overhead. **Note: if you are traveling, please drop me a note ahead of booking to discuss.
Q: Can I bring my friend?
A: If your friend would like to participate, I need to charge per person because an extra person needs extra materials. If your friend would like to be an observer, a discounted rate can be applied for additional person in the studio. Group classes are conducted via special request. Email me meryl@merylpataky.com
Q: Can I buy a workshop as a gift? How do I do that?
Please reach out for a gift certificate purchase. Booking is required within 30 days of purchase. No exceptions.
Q: Refunds? Reschedules? Emergencies? Pandemics? Apocalypse?
When you make a deposit for these classes, you are booking time in my schedule that would otherwise be filled by commissions or another workshop that supports the studio. When you cancel, it disrupts this pipeline and limits my ability to book the amount of work the studio needs to run smoothly. Deposits block time and set aside materials for your workshop. They are non-refundable. I appreciate your respect for my time.
If you need to reschedule, there is a $75 rescheduling per day fee.