There's something far brighter than Black Friday deals waiting to be found by the Americana this weekend.
The Museum of Neon Art is inviting guests into its new Glendale home starting Friday for a free sneak peek into its gift shop and lobby space. The preview will continue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the holidays, with plans for a full operating schedule (Wed-Sun) once the main gallery exhibition is installed (hopefully by mid-December).
In a seemingly self-aware nod to its prolonged moving process—the museum has been operating as a bus tour since closing its Downtown home in 2011—the preview exhibition has been dubbed "It's About Time." The front lobby will house neon clocks from the collections of Curtis Stimpson, Larry Albright and Eric Evavold, as well as photographs of neon in Glendale from the '40s to '70s by Glenn B. Ward. Though the museum's main gallery space is still a work in progress, you'll be able to catch a tantalizing glimpse of it from the lobby.
In addition, the museum will open its gift shop and its neon-filled paseo; scope out the drip-drop animation of the Clayton Plumbers sign as well as a chance to ogle that illuminated red-capped diver on the rooftop.
It's a small space, so if the crowds are too big the museum will have to limit access. Given the museum's years-long anticipation and Instagram-worthy works, as well as the fact that it's located across the street from a shopping mall on Black Friday, we'd suggest showing up early to this one—or waiting a few days.
The Museum of Neon Art (216 S Brand Blvd) is open for a sneak peek Fridays (noon-5pm), Saturdays (10am-7pm) and Sundays (noon-5pm) beginning Nov 27.