About Rod.
An award-winning artist and a 5th generation Santa Barbaran, Rod Lathim creates neon sculptures that explore the fascinating interaction between matter and light. Often incorporating vintage objects in a new context, and marrying various artistic styles and epochs, his work references pop, minimalism, retrofuturism and deconstruction, by turns playful and deeply spiritual. New York-based art critic Benji Alexander has described his work as “a dualistic reminder of art history.”
In order to achieve colors and textures not traditionally seen, Rod employs solid neon and beaded neon – a spectacular and rare effect resulting in a chain of little light beads traveling through the glass tubes – by subtly manipulating the energy field. He is drawn to the spiritual essence of neon – in his mind, the closest semblance to spiritual energy that one can see with one’s eyes in the physical world.
In addition to his work as a visual artist, his career as a playwright/director/ producer spans over 40 years with critically acclaimed original theater pieces which have toured across the USA, and to Canada and England. His pioneering work in accessible theater garnered him national television exposure and prestigious awards from the Princess Grace Foundation USA (presented by Frank Sinatra and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco), America’s 100 Heroes, State of California Governor’s and Media Access Awards and numerous Humanitarian Awards.
He created assemblage pieces for decades before turning his focus to neon. His mantra is to evoke stories by combining whimsy and spirituality, matter and light. With his tales of hope, spiritual journeys, redemption and triumph, Rod is a sought-after artist by patrons and commercial clients. Two large, commissioned assemblage works hang in the main lobby of the Boston Quincy Marriott Hotel.
Commissioned Works for Commercial Settings:
Montecito Union School - Custom Collaborative Assemblage/Neon Work - Santa Barbara, CA 2024
Rubion Theatre Company - Custome Rose Neon Piece in Honor of Amanda McBroom and George Ball for the “The Rose Room Cabaret” - Ventura, CA 2023
CommonUnity Gallery – Custom Neon Logo Design - Santa Barbara, CA 2021
Soho Myriad – Atlanta, GA
2 Custom 40” x 40” Assemblage Sculptures
Installed in the lobby of the Boston Quincy Marriott Hotel
Boston, MA – 2017
Currently Represented by DAC Art Consulting in Atlanta, GA For commercial designs and commissions
Awards
(partial list)
Leadership in the Arts Award – Santa Barbara Arts Commission – Santa Barbara, CA 2012
Founders Award – Dream Foundation – Santa Barbara, CA 2004
Top Ten National Theatre – Stage Directions Magazine – Las Vegas, NV 1998
President’s Award for Leadership in the Arts –
California Association for Post-Secondary Education, Santa Barbara, CA - 1997
Outstanding Service Award – Dystonia Medical Foundation – Los Angeles, CA 1996
Outstanding Achievement Award/Grant –
Princess Grace Foundation USA – Beverly Hills, CA 1995
Big Canvas Award – Santa Barbara Magazine – Santa Barbara, CA 1995
America’s 100 Real Heroes – Maxwell House Coffee – Nashville, TN 1992
Alumnus of the Year – Santa Barbara Education Foundation –
Santa Barbara, CA 1989
Media Access Award – 1987 & 1998 – Beverly Hills, CA
Collected By
Rod is collected across the USA by art lovers including: Jeff Arch, Anthony Edwards & Mare Winningham, Kate Mulgrew, Bennett Zier, Amanda McBroom, Heidi Winston Jensen, Larry and Wendy Barels, Rod and Anne Hare, Pimm and Jeannie Fox, and many others.
Exhibition History
Unite To Light Art Exhibit - CAW - Santa Barbara, CA October 20,21, 2023
Fall Show - Helena Mason Gallery - Santa Barbara, CA Oct 21 - December 24, 2023
Galerie Tangerine - Nashville, TN - Solo Show - June 29 - September 4, 2023
Kate Oh Gallery - Madison Ave & 72nd New York, NY - Solo Show 2022
The Voice Gallery - Santa Barbara, CA - 2022
Unite To Light Art Exhibit - CAW - Santa Barbara, CA - October 6-8, 2022
Helena and Mason Gallery - Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, CA 2022 - 2023
Music Academy of the West - Holiday Art Auction - Montecito, CA 2021
GraySpace Gallery Holiday Show - Santa Barbara, CA 2021
CommenUnity Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA – 2021
“Neon Night Art Show” – Neon Sculptures and Collaborative works with painter Chris Gocong
Goldfield Home & Art – Palm Desert, CA – 2021-23
Resident Artist
Thomas Reynolds Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA – 2021
Group Show – Neon Sculptures and Collaborative work with painter George V. Wolf
CommenUnity Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA – 2021
Resident Artist
Goldfield Home & Art – Palm Desert, CA – 2021-22
Resident Artist / Collaborative works with painter George V. Wolf
Locals’ Collective Santa Barbara, CA – 2020-21
Group Show – Neon Sculptures
GraySpace Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA - 2020
Solo Show – Neon Sculptures
Imageville Gallery – Palm Springs, CA – 2020
Solo Show “Illuminations” – Neon Sculptures
Letter Perfect Gallery Art Exhibition – Summerland, CA - 2019
Group Show
GraySpace Gallery “Poetic License” – Santa Barbara, CA – 2019
Group Show
CAW (Community Arts Workshop) Grand Opening Show – 2018
Santa Barbara, CA
Group Show
Art Without Limits Mentorship Artists Show – Santa Barbara, CA - 2018
Group Show
2nd Friday Show – Santa Barbara Tennis Club – Santa Barbara, CA - 2016
Group Show
Indigo – Santa Barbara, CA – 2016
Group Show
Indigo – Santa Barbara, CA – 2015
Group Show
Plum Goods – Santa Barbara, CA - 2014
Solo Show
Ridley Tree Art Museum – Westmont College – Santa Barbara, CA – 2013
Group Show
Plum Goods – Santa Barbara, CA - 2013
Solo Show
“One Night Stand” – Brooks Institute Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA - 2012
Group Show
“One Night Stand” – Brooks Institute Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA - 2011
Group Show
Art From Scrap Gallery – 2010
Group Show
“Reinventions” - Art Resources Gallery – Santa Barbara
Solo Show – 2009