About Us
What We Do
Ion Art, Inc. was founded by the husband and wife team Greg and Sharon Keshishian in 1986, with the intent of creating and selling neon art. However, over time it has grown into something far greater than that. While our scope of work has increased dramatically, we feel that our original intent is still our backbone; creating art. Ion Art is comprised of a team of talented individuals who take great pride in their work. Each of our employees shares in their passion for being creative, and we feel that is what sets us apart from other companies. Ion Art is a “design-build” shop, which means that we employ a wide range of skill sets and personalities, all of whom share the same goals and drive to work as a team. Greg and Sharon maintain their own high level of expertise in glass and metalwork. Their combined talent, along with the talents of their team, enables Ion Art to produce truly unique neon and custom signage, architectural lighting, and extraordinary environmental solutions.
Since its inception, Ion Art has become an Austin landmark in its own right, expanding into the design and custom fabrication of sculpture, and architectural décor. Having gained over 35 years of experience along with an ever-increasing list of high-profile clients, we are confident in our ability to tackle every aspect of your project, large or small, and we are always ready for a challenge!
Meet Our Team
Owners
Sharon Keshishian
Founder & CEO
Sharon Keshishian is a multidisciplinary artist based in Austin, TX. As one of the few female neon benders in practice, Sharon is best known today for her annual interactive neon art event: The Surreal. Her academic background consists of a degree in Biology, which fuses her love of nature with science, and her artistic endeavors continue to push the relationship between nature and science as Neon is fundamentally Chemistry as art. In the early 80’s Sharon began her practice in neon which developed into the creation of her company Ion Art, a company she shares with her husband Gregory Keshishian who has greatly aided in Ion Art’s success. Throughout the span of her artistic career, she has worked to elevate neon by incorporating an ever-growing list of additional mediums including steel, aluminum, paint, and stained glass. If one were to describe Sharon’s work with a single word it would be Whimsical; for her art continuously strives to elevate the viewer through the use of an abundance of color and biophilic references. In 2017, Sharon hosted her first Surreal event to celebrate the invention of neon turning 100. The interactive art show, which hosts dozens of neon sculptures and a new theme each year, has since become an annual event enjoyed by thousands of Austinites. Sharon hopes that this large-scale celebration of Neon will reinvigorate public interest in the dying art form and bring a new generation of benders into the field.
Sharon Keshishian is a multidisciplinary artist based in Austin, TX. As one of the few female neon benders in practice, Sharon is best known today for her annual interactive neon art event: The Surreal. Her academic background consists of a degree in Biology, which fuses her love of nature with science, and her artistic endeavors continue to push the relationship between nature and science as Neon is fundamentally Chemistry as art. In the early 80’s Sharon began her practice in neon which developed into the creation of her company Ion Art, a company she shares with her husband Gregory Keshishian who has greatly aided in Ion Art’s success. Throughout the span of her artistic career, she has worked to elevate neon by incorporating an ever-growing list of additional mediums including steel, aluminum, paint, and stained glass. If one were to describe Sharon’s work with a single word it would be Whimsical; for her art continuously strives to elevate the viewer through the use of an abundance of color and biophilic references. In 2017, Sharon hosted her first Surreal event to celebrate the invention of neon turning 100. The interactive art show, which hosts dozens of neon sculptures and a new theme each year, has since become an annual event enjoyed by thousands of Austinites. Sharon hopes that this large-scale celebration of Neon will reinvigorate public interest in the dying art form and bring a new generation of benders into the field.
Greg Keshishian
Vice President & I.M.O.L
Greg Keshishian is a jack of all trades with a keen insight in artistry, metal-working, fabricating, and engineering which is evident in his artistic style. His pragmatic mind partnered with his appreciation for the arts allows him to create what he refers to as functional art. Vice President of Ion Art for over 30 years, Greg Keshishian has undoubtedly left his mark on Austin, Texas. It would be near impossible to travel through Austin without seeing an art piece or custom signage that he has worked on. But before he found his home in Austin, Greg Keshishian was born in France and spent his formative years in Stuttgart, Germany. Greg’s burgeoning interest in metalworking and fabrication began in a Stuttgart American High School shop class. After graduating, Greg moved to America and found his way to Austin. In 1985, he met neon-bending artist and Founder of Ion Art Sharon Gaisford who would later become Sharon Keshishian. Since then, the dynamic duo has been creating art that has sparked joy in Texans and art enthusiasts across the country.
Greg Keshishian is a jack of all trades with a keen insight in artistry, metal-working, fabricating, and engineering which is evident in his artistic style. His pragmatic mind partnered with his appreciation for the arts allows him to create what he refers to as functional art. Vice President of Ion Art for over 30 years, Greg Keshishian has undoubtedly left his mark on Austin, Texas. It would be near impossible to travel through Austin without seeing an art piece or custom signage that he has worked on. But before he found his home in Austin, Greg Keshishian was born in France and spent his formative years in Stuttgart, Germany. Greg’s burgeoning interest in metalworking and fabrication began in a Stuttgart American High School shop class. After graduating, Greg moved to America and found his way to Austin. In 1985, he met neon-bending artist and Founder of Ion Art Sharon Gaisford who would later become Sharon Keshishian. Since then, the dynamic duo has been creating art that has sparked joy in Texans and art enthusiasts across the country.
Administration
Kris Wu
Chief Operations Officer
She’s been called our Oracle or The Czar, but this workaholic is our Compass: she provides structure, support, and challenges for her peers. Able to work with several drastically different ideas at the same time, she maintains a balanced and constructive view of the company’s future—always guiding the company toward the right direction.
Kris feels honored to work with a group of uniquely smart, creative, and fun people, and to give them guidance, gaining wisdom retrospectively. When she’s not here instilling ideas and seeing the big picture for us, our resident vampire can be found enjoying new restaurants, learning botany, exploring self growth, and thinking of doing art but never getting to it.
She’s been called our Oracle or The Czar, but this workaholic is our Compass: she provides structure, support, and challenges for her peers. Able to work with several drastically different ideas at the same time, she maintains a balanced and constructive view of the company’s future—always guiding the company toward the right direction.
Kris feels honored to work with a group of uniquely smart, creative, and fun people, and to give them guidance, gaining wisdom retrospectively. When she’s not here instilling ideas and seeing the big picture for us, our resident vampire can be found enjoying new restaurants, learning botany, exploring self growth, and thinking of doing art but never getting to it.
Wes Mendell
Operations & Accounts Wizard
UT Austin – BA in Theater Arts: Costume Design & Construction
Wes is what happens when you get hired by a small company with 11 employees and then stick around to watch them grow and try to help out where you can. Nine years later, you’ve done a little bit of everything and suddenly find yourself “experienced”. She currently has oversight of administrative operations, management of the accounting & HR departments, and handles new sales and client relations. You don’t get to wear this many hats without being able to say yes to new tasks and challenges: it’s that positive attitude and a dedication to the company (plus the ability to seriously multi-task) that has led to Wes’ success at Ion Art. Despite all of this, she has a passion for fun and works very hard not to take anything too seriously. If she’s not here, she’s probably drinking wine, dressing her family up in costumes, nerding out on sci-fi, or planning her next trip to the beach.
UT Austin – BA in Theater Arts: Costume Design & Construction
Wes is what happens when you get hired by a small company with 11 employees and then stick around to watch them grow and try to help out where you can. Nine years later, you’ve done a little bit of everything and suddenly find yourself “experienced”. She currently has oversight of administrative operations, management of the accounting & HR departments, and handles new sales and client relations. You don’t get to wear this many hats without being able to say yes to new tasks and challenges: it’s that positive attitude and a dedication to the company (plus the ability to seriously multi-task) that has led to Wes’ success at Ion Art. Despite all of this, she has a passion for fun and works very hard not to take anything too seriously. If she’s not here, she’s probably drinking wine, dressing her family up in costumes, nerding out on sci-fi, or planning her next trip to the beach.
Shana Gardner
Operations Administrator
Bachelor of Music from University of Delaware, Certificate of Graphic Design from ACC
Have you seen Pulp Fiction? Shana is basically “The Wolf” but most of the time without the dead bodies…most of the time. She provides organizational support to ALL departments, so is essentially a professional Cat Herder, Gatekeeper, Dispatcher, and Chief-Nagging-Officer, and we LOVE her for it. Shana loves a good challenge and her motto of “I’ll figure it out!” makes her fantastic at her job. She’s very satisfied about being part of a company that has created many of Austin’s most iconic landmarks. Also, it’s fun to work in a place where it’s okay to occasionally curse in front of your boss! In her spare time she sings in an acapella group, bakes bread, sews, does the occasional graphic design project, and watches movies with her soul-mate and life-coach Curtis. If she wasn’t working at Ion Art, she would be a feline language interpreter. Trust us, she knows what your cat is saying!
Bachelor of Music from University of Delaware, Certificate of Graphic Design from ACC
Have you seen Pulp Fiction? Shana is basically “The Wolf” but most of the time without the dead bodies…most of the time. She provides organizational support to ALL departments, so is essentially a professional Cat Herder, Gatekeeper, Dispatcher, and Chief-Nagging-Officer, and we LOVE her for it. Shana loves a good challenge and her motto of “I’ll figure it out!” makes her fantastic at her job. She’s very satisfied about being part of a company that has created many of Austin’s most iconic landmarks. Also, it’s fun to work in a place where it’s okay to occasionally curse in front of your boss! In her spare time she sings in an acapella group, bakes bread, sews, does the occasional graphic design project, and watches movies with her soul-mate and life-coach Curtis. If she wasn’t working at Ion Art, she would be a feline language interpreter. Trust us, she knows what your cat is saying!
Carrie Wood
Senior Project Manager
Carrie is a Professional Muse, sensitive, empathetic, and funny. She is her coworkers’ & clients’ biggest cheerleader, encourager, and nag.
Fun facts: She’s left handed, dyslexic, and can fit her entire fist in her mouth!
Carrie is a Professional Muse, sensitive, empathetic, and funny. She is her coworkers’ & clients’ biggest cheerleader, encourager, and nag.
Fun facts: She’s left handed, dyslexic, and can fit her entire fist in her mouth!
Monica Boulton
Senior Project Manager
What does Alexander Calder’s mobiles, Tabbouleh, Oaxaca, and Thai Tea have in common? I like them all!!
In my spare time I enjoy checking out art exhibits, traveling, running, rock climbing, and hanging out with my kids and Mark.
What does Alexander Calder’s mobiles, Tabbouleh, Oaxaca, and Thai Tea have in common? I like them all!!
In my spare time I enjoy checking out art exhibits, traveling, running, rock climbing, and hanging out with my kids and Mark.
Thomas Hobbs
Senior Project Manager & Consultant
Jim Palmer
Estimating Logistics
Design
Jason Ice
Design Supervisor
Only drinks Dos Equis
How would you describe what you do here at Ion Art: Contributing to making dreams, realities.
What excites you about what you do: Being able to drive around the city and see the work we produce.
What inspires you/what do you have passion for: The challenges in art/design in a custom environment.
If you weren’t working at Ion Art, what would you do? Make art
Link to a personal blog or website: IG: VANDAL_1
Only drinks Dos Equis
How would you describe what you do here at Ion Art: Contributing to making dreams, realities.
What excites you about what you do: Being able to drive around the city and see the work we produce.
What inspires you/what do you have passion for: The challenges in art/design in a custom environment.
If you weren’t working at Ion Art, what would you do? Make art
Link to a personal blog or website: IG: VANDAL_1
Corey Robbins
Designer
Favorite quote: “You’ll never discover anything by matching what’s going on. The key is to find that which does not exist and try to make it undeniable.”
Favorite cuisines: Tex mex, vietnamese, and thai
Favorite word: Capsaicin
Style: Vibram five fingers
Favorite quote: “You’ll never discover anything by matching what’s going on. The key is to find that which does not exist and try to make it undeniable.”
Favorite cuisines: Tex mex, vietnamese, and thai
Favorite word: Capsaicin
Style: Vibram five fingers
David Boulton
Designer
Only drinks Dos Equis
Only drinks Dos Equis
Tony Piazza
Lighting Designer
Favorite Sport: Racquetball
Three Favorite Things in Life: Hiking, biking, & meditating
One Awesome Thing About Tony: He climbed Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.
Passion: Lighting design
Favorite Cuisine: Tacos every meal
Favorite Sport: Racquetball
Three Favorite Things in Life: Hiking, biking, & meditating
One Awesome Thing About Tony: He climbed Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.
Passion: Lighting design
Favorite Cuisine: Tacos every meal
Fabrication
Stoney Gabel
General Manager
Mark Ermis
Production Manager
Favorite Sport: Mountain Biking and drinking beer. Sometimes at the same time.
Favorite Colors: Blue, any shade.
One awesome thing about me: I really care very much about the people that are close to me, even if I don’t always show it.
Favorite Movies: Joe Dirt, Forest Gump, The Big Lebowski
Favorite Quote: Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Resolutions for this year: Do better than last year
Favorite Cuisine(s): Tex Mex, South American, or Mediterranean….it’s kind of a toss up.
Favoriteword: Mellifluous
Alternative Dream Job: International Rock Star
Favorite Sport: Mountain Biking and drinking beer. Sometimes at the same time.
Favorite Colors: Blue, any shade.
One awesome thing about me: I really care very much about the people that are close to me, even if I don’t always show it.
Favorite Movies: Joe Dirt, Forest Gump, The Big Lebowski
Favorite Quote: Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Resolutions for this year: Do better than last year
Favorite Cuisine(s): Tex Mex, South American, or Mediterranean….it’s kind of a toss up.
Favoriteword: Mellifluous
Alternative Dream Job: International Rock Star
Eric Makela
Shop Foreman
Jason Will
Paint Department Manager
Nick name: “J-Will”
Passion: Brewing heavy-duty, delicious ales
Favorite quote: “Reality exists in the human
mind, and nowhere else.” -George Orwell
My resolution for next year: To stay alive
Favorite word: Cattywampus
Nick name: “J-Will”
Passion: Brewing heavy-duty, delicious ales
Favorite quote: “Reality exists in the human
mind, and nowhere else.” -George Orwell
My resolution for next year: To stay alive
Favorite word: Cattywampus
Wilmer Amaya
Lead Fabricator
Knows the name of the shape he’s holding.
Knows the name of the shape he’s holding.
Ricardo Gonzales
Fabricator
Junior Portocarrero
ADA Department Manager
Eiby Reyes
Field Project Manager
Carlos Menchu
Fabricator & Installation
Henry Miranda
Shop Member
Sophia Keshishian
Assistant & ADA Tech
Blake Calfin
Vinyl Department Manager
Nickname: In the sign industry, as I spend most of my days working with vinyl, the name that seems to have stuck is “stickers”, no pun intended
Three favorite things in life: Having spent a long time working as a cook and a Chef in some amazing restaurants, good food brings me immense joy. In addition to a passion for good food, good music and good company are also necessities. I am a huge music nerd and I love classic hip hip, 70’s funk and soul, and electronica. And life wouldn’t be complete without my friends and family who I try to remain close to despite the difficulties of COVID.
Favorite Radio Station(s): It seems my car radio constantly stays tuned to KUT 90.5 and NPR these days. With everything going on in the world, I find their national coverage fair and balanced and appreciate the attention the always pay to local and statewide interests.
Favorite Movies: I am a huge fan of the work of Stanley Kubric. In my humble opinion, I think Dr. Strangelove is my favorite and probably his most underrated film as the dark satire of this movie is always relevant. Other favorite are Full Metal Jacket and 2001 A Space Odyssey
Alternative Dream Job: One of my long term dreams is perhaps one day when I’m older and closer to retirement to open a food truck and go park it on a beach somewhere and live the boho beach bum life.
Nickname: In the sign industry, as I spend most of my days working with vinyl, the name that seems to have stuck is “stickers”, no pun intended
Three favorite things in life: Having spent a long time working as a cook and a Chef in some amazing restaurants, good food brings me immense joy. In addition to a passion for good food, good music and good company are also necessities. I am a huge music nerd and I love classic hip hip, 70’s funk and soul, and electronica. And life wouldn’t be complete without my friends and family who I try to remain close to despite the difficulties of COVID.
Favorite Radio Station(s): It seems my car radio constantly stays tuned to KUT 90.5 and NPR these days. With everything going on in the world, I find their national coverage fair and balanced and appreciate the attention the always pay to local and statewide interests.
Favorite Movies: I am a huge fan of the work of Stanley Kubric. In my humble opinion, I think Dr. Strangelove is my favorite and probably his most underrated film as the dark satire of this movie is always relevant. Other favorite are Full Metal Jacket and 2001 A Space Odyssey
Alternative Dream Job: One of my long term dreams is perhaps one day when I’m older and closer to retirement to open a food truck and go park it on a beach somewhere and live the boho beach bum life.
Chris Squier
Facilities & Logistics
Three Favorite Things in Life: Family, friends, & pets
One Thing Awesome About Chris: He loves nature. He likes to backpack and hike with his wife and dogs.
Passion: Backpacking, hiking, travel, snowboard, adventure, etc.
Favorite Quote: Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced everyday. -Jim John
One of His Goals in Life: Visit as many of the Seven Wonders of the World as he can.
Chris' Style: Relaxed & Determined
Favorite/Lucky Number: 13
Three Favorite Things in Life: Family, friends, & pets
One Thing Awesome About Chris: He loves nature. He likes to backpack and hike with his wife and dogs.
Passion: Backpacking, hiking, travel, snowboard, adventure, etc.
Favorite Quote: Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced everyday. -Jim John
One of His Goals in Life: Visit as many of the Seven Wonders of the World as he can.
Chris' Style: Relaxed & Determined
Favorite/Lucky Number: 13
Holden Stoner
Installation Tech
Nick Name: El Mapache
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Movies: Snatch; Natural Born Killers
Alternative Dream Job: Woodworker
My Style: Rustic; Salt of the Earth
Nick Name: El Mapache
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Movies: Snatch; Natural Born Killers
Alternative Dream Job: Woodworker
My Style: Rustic; Salt of the Earth
Tori Marquez
Designer
Nick Name: Tori
Favorite Things in Life: Horrible cheesy jokes, breakfast, & roller coasters
Favorite Movies: Back to the Future, Whiplash, & Requiem for a Dream
Passion: Making colorful murals and exploring as many artistic mediums as she can
One awesome thing about Tori: She loves escape rooms!
Nick Name: Tori
Favorite Things in Life: Horrible cheesy jokes, breakfast, & roller coasters
Favorite Movies: Back to the Future, Whiplash, & Requiem for a Dream
Passion: Making colorful murals and exploring as many artistic mediums as she can
One awesome thing about Tori: She loves escape rooms!
Brooke Collier
Custom Fabricator
Nick Name: Cookie
Three Favorite Things in Life: Creating, aerial arts, & being in nature
One awesome thing about Brooke: She does everything she can to help people and animals.
Passion: Art! And trying new things.
Favorite Word: Discombobulated
Alternative Dream Job: Start her own nonprofit to help dogs.
Nick Name: Cookie
Three Favorite Things in Life: Creating, aerial arts, & being in nature
One awesome thing about Brooke: She does everything she can to help people and animals.
Passion: Art! And trying new things.
Favorite Word: Discombobulated
Alternative Dream Job: Start her own nonprofit to help dogs.