Artists Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan wrote a book that changed the way we see neon, called San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons. While searching, documenting and preserving San Francisco’s historical neon landmarks, the duo helped co-produce the Neon Speaks Festival & Symposium - a three day event aimed at raising awareness and promoting the artistic legacy of historic neon signs and restoration best practices. Al and Ann give Mondo the full lowdown on the history of SF neon, from its origins as marketing to its constant neighborhood appeal.

The Neon Speaks Festival & Symposium is presented by San Francisco Neon/Historic Neon Network and fiscally sponsored by the Tenderloin Museum. San Francisco Heritage generously provided a grant from the Alice Ross Carey Preservation Fund. A matching grant was generously provided by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Find Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan on Instagram @neonspeaks and @sfneonbook.

Learn more about the artists at Slate.com: An Ode to the Disappearing Neon Signs That Light Up the Streets of San Francisco - click to read the full article.

Buy the book! San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons