Kory Sherer: Toledo Neon Artist Crafts Brilliant Glass Automotive Sculptures

Kory Sherer is a Toledo artist whose medium is glass—a fitting choice for a city nicknamed "Glass City." His signature technique involves bending glass tubes, filling them with neon or argon gas, and electrifying them with thousands of volts. By day, Sherer crafts and restores neon signs, but his passion extends to glowing automotive sculptures. Even unpowered, these pieces are striking works of art; when lit, they become radiant masterpieces.

Early Beginnings and Mentorship

Sherer showed artistic promise early, painting signs in his backyard as an 8-year-old. However, his true calling emerged in his late teens when his stepfather encouraged him to learn neon from a family friend, Sam Paris, a neon sign maker in Detroit. Sherer, now 53, shared with the Shifting Gears Substack:

"I learned how to bend neon in Detroit in a warehouse at I-75 and McNichols, a rough area in the mid-1990s."

"I never was thinking I would do neon later in life. When I was 19, my stepdad said if I learned neon, I’d always have money in my pocket for a slice of pizza. So I grabbed two 12-packs of Budweiser, grabbed my video camera and went to see Sam. I don’t think I left for, like, four years. I would sleep on his pool table in his big warehouse. We became friends and I never once watched that video."

"I would work all day for him and at night he would let me get in the fires. In Toledo, all the tube benders wouldn’t give you any information, because you’d be a threat. Being an hour away in Michigan, I was able to become friends with Sam. He became my mentor."

Career Milestones and Viral Success

After completing his apprenticeship with Paris, Sherer opened his own shop, Bent Custom Neon, on the north side of Toledo. His career took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he posted a video on Facebook demonstrating how to blow a glass bubble. The video went viral, amassing over a million views by Thanksgiving. Since then, Sherer has expanded his reach, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Showcasing Art at Detroit Autorama

Sherer’s work gained national attention when he and his wife, Stephanie, attended the Detroit Autorama. Their neon Jeep and a neon 1967 Shelby Mustang outshone high-dollar custom cars competing for the show’s prestigious Ridler Award. The duo was invited by Kenny Douglass, chairman of the Michigan Hot Rod Association for Detroit Autorama, who was captivated by videos of Sherer’s creations on Facebook.

"It was, like, holy crap! When I watched the video, it was so unique. I think I watched it four or five times, over and over again. Just amazing."

Sherer’s Glass Sculptures: A Blend of Art and Innovation

Sherer’s automotive sculptures are more than just neon signs—they are intricate, glowing artworks that redefine the boundaries of glass art. His ability to blend technical precision with creative vision has earned him a dedicated following and widespread acclaim. Whether restoring vintage neon or crafting new pieces, Sherer continues to push the limits of his medium.