Columbus Day Weekend
Woodstock Guitar Sculpture Exposition Auction to
Benefit Family of Woodstock Hotline’s “Doors & Floors” Project
September 21, 2015 Woodstock, NY The Woodstock Guitar Sculpture Exposition will end its run on Sunday, October 11 when the 30 guitar sculptures designed by local
artists will be auctioned at The Landau Grill, 17 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY. Preview at 2:00 pm and auction at 3:00 pm, music to follow. Admission is free. Proceeds from the auction will be split between the artists and Family of Woodstock Crisis Hotline’s “Doors & Floors” project. The guitars will remain on display in Woodstock and can be bid on at www.myminiauction.com/familyofwoodstock until Saturday, October 10.
The sculpture exposition was spearheaded by Woodstock carpenter and guitar hero, Rennie Cantine who has been creating his own sculptures since 2002. “For six years I made guitar sculptures and put them up around town with store owners’ permission” says Rennie. “When I saw the Catskill Cats project I got the idea to make a guitar shaped template for artists to use as a blank canvas.” This year’s guitar forms are based on Harvey Citron’s CT1 (“Tele” style) guitar. Harvey is a local designer and builder of handcrafted guitars and basses.
Multi-talented author, radio host and Executive Director of the Woodstock Writers Festival, Martha Frankel, will be the guest auctioneer. “Honestly, I don’t know what Rennie was thinking “, says Martha, “I’ve never done anything like this before…but I’m game. I’m excited, I think it will be a lot of fun and I’ll do my best. I’m happy to do anything to help Family of Woodstock.”
Among the artists who have created work for the exposition is renowned Woodstock photographer, Elliott Landy. “When Rennie first came to me with the suggestion to turn some of my photographs into guitar faces” comments Landy, “I had no ability to visualize what he meant, but he did and now I find them amazing… I hope we keep doing them as I am really impressed with them and very happy that they exist.” Artist and furniture maker, Steve Heller (Fabulous Furniture) brings his artistic alchemy to his piece, “I love this event!” says Heller. “The guitar is an iconic symbol of Woodstock and each year there’s a different guitar shape to work with. It’s a lot of fun bringing my personal aesthetic to the form. I feel very lucky to live in a place where art and music are so much a part of the local culture.” Rumor has it that artist Michael Hunt was conceived at the original Woodstock Festival. His contribution, the tongue-in-cheek “You Are Not Here”, features an image of the cement monument at the 1969 festival site in Bethel.
“We are so grateful to Rennie Cantine, the artists and everyone who has worked to put this event together” says Tamara Cooper, Family of Woodstock Program Director. “The floors and doors of our Walk-In Center are sorely in need of a face-lift. It will make the center safer and brighten the environment for visitors as well as for our hardworking Hotline volunteers. Rennie has already lined up five carpenters who have agreed to donate their labor.”
A complete list of artists with images of their sculptures can be found at www.myminiauction.com/familyofwoodstock.
For those unable to attend the live auction to bid, the online auction site will be live until Saturday, October 10, 11:59 pm. The guitars will be removed from their pedestals on Saturday in preparation for the live auction on Sunday, October 11.
