February 28 – May 31, 2015

Guitars strike a chord in this exhibition comprising forty iconic stringed instruments – enlivened by a performance series, hands-on Sound Lab, luthier’s studio, guitar collectors’ stories, and more.

As the guitar’s ancestors evolved over centuries from the earliest ouds and lutes, guitar makers experimented with shapes, materials, and accessories, seeking the perfect blend of beauty and sound.

MusiChurkBerry_GibsonLesPaulcians and luthiers continue to alter guitar design in their endless quest for a fresh aesthetic and sound that fuels creative synergy and musical innovation. Consider the cultural significance of the guitar. Just as American guitar designers of the 1960s departed radically from the iconic hourglass shape, street-corner guitarists led the protest movement that challenged the status quo. Medieval to Metal, a touring exhibition of The National Guitar Museum, comprises design illustrations, guitars, and photographs of performers, bringing sound to life.

Riff, jam, and play a guitar in the Sound Lab and pluck oversized strings and design album covers in Art Park.

 

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For details about special room rates during Medieval to Metal, call the following partner hotels and mention “art museum guitar” or the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum guitar exhibition when inquiring.

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Thanks to our supporters:

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