Gibson Guitar announced the launch of Orlando GuitarTown, a public arts project featuring ten-foot tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars designed and painted by local and nationally acclaimed visual artists and placed throughout Orlando in front of city landmarks, sponsor locations and other popular destinations for several months. Each guitar sculpture will be partnered with a celebrity and will be backed by a corporate sponsor. The project will "unite the Orlando art, music, and business communities behind the opportunity to raise proceeds for local charities."
"The Gibson GuitarTown program will further Orlando as one of the great cultural hubs in the nation and yes, internationally," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Naked guitars, waiting for artistsTo kick off the project ,the first 10-foot Gibson guitar sculpture was placed outside the CityArts Factory at 29 South Orange Avenue in Orlando June 24, 2008. This "Sneak Peak" guitar will be painted in the classic Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish by "Tattood Bill" Roberts. The inaugural guitar will be on display at the CityArts Factory until June 30, 2008 at which time the Honorable Mayor Buddy Dyer will be the first to autograph the completed piece of art. The guitar will then travel to many different events and locations for the period of the entire project.
The launch of the project also kicks off the official Orlando GuitarTown "Call for Artists." Visual artists who are interested in becoming part of the project and painting one of the 10-foot sculptures to be put on display in the citywide event can pick up an application at the Gibson Guitar Entertainment Relations Showroom located at 25 East Central Blvd in downtown Orlando between the hours of 11am-4pm weekdays. Deadline for completed applications is Monday, July 14, 2008 at 5pm EDT. Visual artists may also download the official application and template by visiting www.orlandoguitartown.com. Information regarding applications, official rules and regulations and general information can also be obtained by calling the official Orlando GuitarTown hotline at 1-866-321-4212 or by emailing orlandoguitartown@gibson.com
There's more from the looooong press release, but I think you get the point.