LAS VEGAS (April 2026) – YESCO, the 106-year-old company known for creating, repairing and maintaining internationally recognizable signs, is drawing attention for its role in fabricating and installing “Waiting On A Light On The Corner By Sound Exchange,” a new public sculpture by Las Vegas-based artist David Ryan. Installed at the prominent Downtown Las Vegas intersection of Third Street and Ogden Avenue, the sculpture translates Ryan’s hand-drawn concept into a 20-foot, civic-scale work using the materials, engineering and finishing techniques typically associated with large-scale signage.
Positioned at the edge of the illustrious Fremont Street Experience, where spectacle, brilliant lights and energy converge, Ryan deliberates envisioned an artwork that would adopt the familiar posture of an iconic Las Vegas sign while deliberately resisting its traditional function. Rather than directing or selling, the piece exists with an open-ended purpose—one that visually aligns with its surroundings while offering no explicit message or marketing function.
Fabricated by YESCO, whose famous hotel-casino signs have shaped the visual identity of Las Vegas for nearly a century, the project highlights how industrial sign techniques can be adapted to support contemporary artistic expression. The sculpture preserves the irregularity and human quality of Ryan’s original linework while achieving the structural integrity required for a permanent outdoor installation. Through YESCO’s in-house engineering, fabrication, finishing and installation capabilities, the work moves seamlessly from a drawing to its final form without losing its conceptual intent.
Ryan selected YESCO as his fabrication partner for its specialized ability to execute complex projects at scale while navigating the technical and environmental constraints of an urban site. The intersection itself presented unique considerations, from visibility and spatial limitations to civic requirements that informed the structure’s height and configuration. The collaboration with the City of Las Vegas focused on ensuring the piece would function responsibly within the public realm while maintaining the integrity of the original concept. The fabrication process was also distinct from Ryan’s typical studio practice, where work often evolves slowly and requires constant negotiation. By contrast, collaborating with YESCO allowed the artist to focus on the conceptual framework while relying on a team experienced in large-scale production to execute the physical build.
ABOUT YESCO
YESCO specializes in the manufacture of custom electric signs, sign maintenance and out-of-home advertising. In addition, YESCO operates sign and lighting service repair stores throughout North America as well as a sign financing business. Thomas Young founded the company in Ogden, Utah, in 1920 after borrowing $300 from his father. YESCO began by offering wall painted advertisements, gold-leaf window lettering and coffin plates. Today, helmed by the third and fourth generations of the founder’s family, YESCO creates, services and maintains award-winning displays for some of the most prestigious brands. For more information, go to www.YESCO.com.
