New Orleans native Jerry Therio has collected, restored and designed neon since 1978. Over a ten year period he accumulated more than 800 pieces of vintage neon and graduated from salvaging neon as a hobby to a career in neon design. He now uses neon, new and vintage, as a medium for fine art, in full scale art installations and gallery exhibitions that have earned critical acclaim. Therio creates neon designs for theater and movie sets, for local and out of town production companies, art exhibitions and special events.