“Blue Angel: Between Heaven and Earth,” the limited-time exhibition of the iconic Blue Angel Motel sign at its new Ne10 Studio, located at 1001 West Bonanza Road on the Las Vegas Review-Journal campus, beginning May 24.

This exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Desert Space Foundation with support from the City of Las Vegas Mayor’s Office, as well as the City of Las Vegas Centennial Committee, which will fund the Blue Angel’s restoration.

The classic mid-century Blue Angel hovered above the Blue Angel Motel from circa 1957 until its removal for restoration by the City of Las Vegas in 2017. Designed by beloved local sign designer Betty Willis, who received worldwide attention for creating the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, the Blue Angel will reemerge for this temporary exhibit at the Neon Museum’s Ne10 Studio before undergoing restoration. 

The Angel will be surrounded by signs from the Neon Museum collection and featured alongside Blue Angel-inspired images by multiple artists, including Joshua Abbey, Jonnie Anderson, Robert Beckman, Montana Black, Jeff Fey, Emily Fromm, Nancy Good, Myles Jablin, Sean Jones, Bryan McCormick, Jerry Misko, Wade Schuster, James Stanford and Mikayla Whitmore.

For many local residents, as well as artists participating in this exhibition, the Blue Angel represents a guardian angel of sorts for Las Vegas. Displaying the figure in preparation for its restoration was conceived as a sign of renewal, hope and healing for the city, especially in the aftermath of the 1 October tragedy.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ne10. The exhibition will be free and open to the public Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. from May 25 through July 6.