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All the United States Arizona Tucson Ignite Sign Art Museum

Ignite Sign Art Museum

This collection of neon icons is preserving Arizona's history, one sign at a time.

Tucson, Arizona

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Miniature versions of some of Tucson’s most famous neon signs.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
The exterior of Ignite.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
Molina’s, a Tucson favorite.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
Miniature Pueblo Hotel / Piccarretta-Davis diving girl.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
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A sign repair in progress.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
The gorgeous art deco sign from Valencia Market.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
The sign from the historic, ill-fated Pioneer Hotel.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
Historic Mr. Quick burger sign.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
Frankie & Johnnie’s Tavern sign inside Ignite Sign Art Museum.   clouddottir / Atlas Obscura User
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Entrance   thebermudatriad / Atlas Obscura User
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December 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs—at the Ignite Sign Art Museum in Tucson's Arroyo Chico neighborhood. What's so special about this collection is the sheer variety of signs on display. There's neon, electric, hand-painted, aluminum, and LED. They run the gamut from historic neon signs to a rescued 76 gas station ball. There are signs from local mom-and-pop grocery stores displayed next to an enormous Arby's hat. It's an eclectic and unexpected assortment, just like Tucson itself.

The Ignite museum started as the personal collection of Jude Cook, who has spent his life in the design and sign industry. His work is familiar to any Tucsonan; his company built the city's iconic neon saguaro at Main Street and Drachman, and restored beloved historic signs including the Tropicana, the Picarretta-Davis diving girl, and the Canyon State Motor Lodge.

Over the course of 40 years, Cook collected signs from across Arizona and the U.S., and acquired a reputation as the person to call when you needed an old sign hauled off quick. After his collection grew too large to store, he decided to put it on display for everyone to enjoy. Ignite Sign Art Museum opened to the public in 2018.

Visit Ignite on a typical day and you'll see signs in various states of repair and refurbishment. It's a rare opportunity to see what goes into bringing these iconic (and fragile) American icons back to life.

Related Tags

Signs Neon Americana Museums Art Museum Art Design

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There's free parking onsite.

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clouddottir

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ccesare, Taterchips, thebermudatriad, Mopr

  • ccesare
  • Taterchips
  • thebermudatriad
  • Mopr

Published

November 16, 2018

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  • http://www.ignitemuseum.com
Ignite Sign Art Museum
331 S. Olsen
Tucson, Arizona
United States
32.218152, -110.940674
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