Welcome to Motels of the Southwest
"This website is dedicated to the celebration
of the classic American neon motel."

Please note: our Web address has changed. We've got our very own name now: Neonmotel.com. Please save it to your bookmarks.

Douglas Towne's latest exhibit, Classic Kitsch Considered: How We Ate, Slept and Played, debuts November 6th at the Y Not Art Gallery as part of the Downtown Phoenix First Friday festivities. His exhibit of vintage memorabilia collages is "…as much social commentary as it is an homage to the past," says Phoenix New Times art critic Wynter Holden. Joining Towne at the kickoff reception is a live poetry/hip-hop fusion performance by GlamPoet and music producer Fiscal. The Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA is located at 350 North First Street. The exhibit runs through December 2009.

"The Tale of the Tape: A Farewell to My 8-Track Music System" - Douglas Towne
"My altar is a bittersweet acknowledgement of the passage of time, a source of nostalgia for the not-so-young, and an educational tool for youth.

For the past 20 years I've been schlepping my collection of 8-track tapes around, unable to pitch any of it because of the amazing music, associated memories and the mistaken belief that there would be a resurgence in popularity of this now largely forgotten audio format. The altar honors the permanent departure of this obsolete technology from my garage--much to my wife's delight."

Former New Times staffer Douglas Towne presents his altar/ode to defunct technology in conjunction with the gallery's larger "Dia de los Muertos" exhibit. Towne's construct features a still-working J.C. Penney 8-track player booming out stuff like the Fabulous Poodles, Jefferson Starship, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

Artist's Reception:
Friday, November 7, 7:00pm-10:00pm
@Central Gallery
1221 N. Central Ave. (at Burton Barr Central Library)
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 256-3521, (602) 262-4636

View some of the pieces from the show in our Gallery.

On this site you will find several resources for vintage neon motels and signs from the American Southwest. We are especially proud of our Motels of the Southwest poster, which has been finding its way around the world to homes and offices of fellow neon aficionados.

"I've been having neon dreams ever since obtaining the poster. Best artwork I've seen in years!"   - Scott Perlman   ArtScience Publications "I'm never staying in another franchise motel after seeing this poster."   - John Burbank   Noted raconteur "Motels of the Southwest brings the soothing neon glow of roadside Americana into our home."   - Andy & Jenny Wood   Authors Motel Americana "This poster, of lovely nighttime neon signs, is great for when I want to scope them out myself."   - Shellee Graham   Author/photographer>   Return to Route 66