Twin Peaks Neon, acrylic on panel, 24″x18″

a solo exhibition with paintings by Nathaniel J. Bice

BEACONS

Inspired by the same love of the city that is evident in Nathaniel’s smaller works, BEACONS honors the places that light up the streets and offer warmth, culture, and community. The work features the signage, especially neon, of iconic queer spaces such as the Castro Theater, Oasis, Orphan Andy’s, Martuni’s, Twin Peaks, Hot Cookie, and more. 

This subject matter is an opportunity for Nathaniel to explore high contrast, strong saturation, and extreme perspectives. The handmade nature of neon signs make them not just examples of typography and design, but of craftsmanship. The rich glow of neon gas suffuses its surroundings, creating a unique lightscape and evoking the memories of the spaces they illuminate.

Queer Arts Featured, 575 Castro St.
Opening Feb. 6, 5pm-9pm, through March 29

If you watch the sign, you’ll see that it goes through cycles of different looks by turning parts of the neon on and off. This feature was added when the neon sign was restored for the film Milk. It’s interesting to paint it with only certain parts lit up, because the color of the neon completely changes everything about the scene.

The Castro Theater and its sign have become a symbol of the Castro neighborhood as the most famous gay neighborhood in the world. For decades, the theater put out a monthly schedule of movies and patrons could pop in for a movie on a whim, making the theater a gathering space for locals as well as a pilgrimage for queer people all over the world.

It’s this access that many fear will be lost with APE’s takeover and the removal of the theater seats, signaling the prioritization of more expensive, exclusive live events. However, the beautiful architectural details of the space have finally gotten the loving restoration they deserve, and the neon sign is freshly painted and brightening the neighborhood again. APE and the Nasser family have also threatened to displace two local businesses, Castro Coffee and Castro Nail Salon. A lack of clear communication has left these two businesses in a state of doubt and fear for over a year, after promises that they would be able to remain. 

Oasis Sign Nocturne, acrylic on panel, 24″x18″

Oasis

If you know the queer scene in San Francisco, you know Oasis. Once a bath house, it was converted into a nightclub, theater, and cabaret space dedicated to the art of drag. It was opened in 2014 by Heklina and D’Arcy Drollinger. It is revolutionary as a venue run by and for drag artists, as opposed to the typical model of bars bringing in drag as entertainment. Oasis was about to close at the end of 2025, but has been saved by a last minute donation to Oasis Arts, the nonprofit that produces theater in the venue. They hope to purchase the space and secure a stable future for the club.

Their lightbulb sign is visually iconic, and the “Showtime” mural on the outside is a beautiful work of collaborative art. My painting captures what it’s like to stand outside the club right before you go in to revel in queer community and enjoy the best that drag has to offer. It’s not neon, but it certainly is a Beacon.

Queer Arts Featured

From its origins as a pop-up in the summer of 2022, Queer Arts Featured has become a beacon in the Castro. It’s the only shop in the Castro to sell only things made by local, queer artists, and they hold events from workshops to open mics to skill and resource sharing. QAF serves and uplifts queer artists like no one else. It occupies the same space that was once Supervisor Harvey Milk’s Castro Camera, which was also a center for arts and community in the Castro. 

The Queer Arts Featured sign was made by neon artist Ames Palms of Rebel Neon and is a great example of modern neon craftsmanship in a field that is not only still alive, but innovating and growing thanks to artists like them. Being an indoor sign that is backed by glass and behind glass, it presented a different challenge for me as a painter, considering the echoing reflections of the neon and the complex background of the shop. I especially enjoyed painting the disco mirror mannequin.

Queer A.F. Neon, acrylic on panel, 16″x20″

Hot Cookie Neon, acrylic on circular panel, 14″

Hot Cookie

Hot Cookie has been bringing fun and sexy vibes to the Castro since 1997, taking joy and pride in the gay community. Famous for the Hot Cookie underwear challenge, they quickly became a destination for locals and queer visitors alike. 

Their neon sign is inside the window and backed with either glass or acrylic, so you get these repeating reflections as well as the glow. The circular shape of the panel echoes the “O,” but brings interest and tension with the rectangular shape of the sign.

Orphan Andy’s

Orphan Andy’s has been a mainstay in the Castro since it opened in the 70’s, just as the Castro was becoming the center of the gay community. Until the pandemic, it was open 24 hours every day and rescued many with a warm meal after a long night of partying. As of March of 2025, the business was for sale with hopes that the buyer will keep the employees and the spirit of the diner intact. 

This one was a particular challenge because of the sheer chaos of the famously kitschy interior of the diner. Not only is there all the complexity of the neon lettering and its reflection, there are dozens of other sources of light which I had to figure out how to balance visually. It was fun to capture the riot of colors and dazzling glow of this space. 

Orphan Andy’s Neon, acrylic on panel, 16″x20″

Martuni’s Neon, acrylic on panel, 16″x20″

Martuni’s

Opened in 1996 in the former Lily’s, named for Empress Lilly Street of the imperial court, Martuni’s has a special place in the queer scene as the city’s gayest piano bar. My favorite personal memories at Martuni’s are the two times I’ve seen Veronika Klaus perform there, visiting from upstate New York where she moved after a long performing career in San Francisco. I also love to see Brendan Getzell host his Performance Revue there, and sing along when Joe is playing the piano. Watch out, because their drinks are extra large and strong!

Their neon is exciting to me as it’s a different color scheme than any other sign I’ve painted, and affixed directly on the building. I also love the styling of the letters and the music note twist on the classic neon martini glass.