MONA Magic and More Tour
The CSA Executive Committee and Board of Directors, held meetings in Glendale, California on April 10th, at the Embassy Suites Hotel. All the association committees gave reports, regarding their activities, while staff reported on the financial well-being of the association and major endeavors they are engaged in with our members. The Sign Training & Educational Program Series (STEPS) is starting to move forward, with students signing-up in the program. And, membership in CSA is moving forward at a very good pace; with ten new members this year alone.
Following this meeting, members and guests of the California Sign Association eagerly visited a museum exclusively exhibiting art in electric media, with outstanding examples of historic neon signs, devoted to art that incorporates neon lighting! This is MONA – the Museum of Neon Art – in Southern California.
Our group traveled to Glendale to experience the magic of Neon Art, featuring guest speaker, Neon Queen, Artist Lisa Schulte! She owns one of the largest neon collections in the world. An artist primarily recognized for working with light, Lisa experienced a tragic event at the age of seven that taught her to see the world in a different way, giving her an appreciation for how light interacts with surfaces and a passion for manipulating light. It was in 1984 when Lisa began to play around with neon lighting, the medium she is most well-known for. Our tour guide was Eric Lynxwiler; he is extremely knowledgeable and did a great job! A historian on the MONA Board, he curated the Motel California (sign) exhibit that we viewed. MONA is closed on Tuesdays, but Eric volunteered to open it for CSA; he is also the fellow who gives the MONA neon nights bus tour.
Guests explored an institution that exists to encourage learning and curiosity through the preservation, collection, and interpretation of neon art. The current exhibitions “There’s More to Neon Signs Than Liquor, Motels and Live Nude Girls” and “Motel California” are one of a kind collections that surprised and delighted. Following the tour, a wonderful Membership Dinner was served back at the hotel, with the Neon Queen (Lisa Schulte) as the presenter. To say all in attendance were impressed with the Queen is an understatement, most in attendance had no knowledge of her or what she does with neon. Her life story on how she got interested in neon and what she has created in the way of a major neon enterprise is very impressive. The Queen attendees enjoyed networking and an evening of good Food + Camaraderie + Presentation! Based on comments from attendees, many are hoping to revisit next year!
About CSA Team
CSA’s Executive Director, Roy Flahive, has worked within the sign industry for more than 50 years. He served an apprenticeship in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), owned his own sign company for almost 30 years and he is well-known and highly respected in the sign industry, having served on numerous boards, including those of the International Sign Association (ISA), San Diego Area Lighting Advisory Council, Arizona Sign Association, Western States Sign Council, San Diego Mayors Sign Code Task Force, and UL’s Industry Advisory Committee. Notably, Flahive has twice been elected President (Chairman of the Board) of CSA and has served over 30 years on that board.
Cheryl Flahive, CSA’s Director of Member Services, has worked within the sign industry for over 33 years; twenty of those years, as vice president of a sign company in southern California. She has served in various administrative roles, from finance to project management, and is dedicated to helping CSA members at all levels.
The CSA Communications Committee, made up of committed industry leaders, works in a behind the scenes capacity, to keep CSA members educated and informed.