THE SUNSET STRIP & GIBSON FOUNDATION to Unveil GuitarTown Art Pieces

THE SUNSET STRIP and GIBSON FOUNDATION are excited to unveil their next installment of 10-foot, one-of-a-kind guitars Tuesday, August 19 at Hornburg Jaguar on the famed Sunset Strip. This is the fourth series of guitars since the GIBSON GUITARTOWN ON THE SUNSET STRIP public art project launched in 2010. The guitars, which were created by Los Angeles artists and nationally acclaimed artists to celebrate musicians who have influenced The Sunset Strip, will be auctioned for charity early next year.

The 2014 Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip collection celebrates the music of Otis Redding, Jerry Garcia, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Elton John, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Freddie Mercury, Janis Joplin, Jane's Addiction, Bob Marley, Frank Zappa, Rage Against The Machine, David Bowie and Marc Bolan as well as the Viper Room's 21st anniversary.

The guitars showcase a wide array of motifs and styles and include work by RISK, Gail Zappa and musician Raphael Saadiq. Other works include an exclusive guitar series by Willard Snow and a memorial to the artists of The Sunset Strip by Kevin Llewellyn. GuitarTown supports the work of L.A.'s emerging artists and will be welcoming several emerging artists including Gino Burman-Loffredo, TJ Roe and GuitarTown's youngest ever artist, Forrest Holt (18).

Visual artists were selected after an open call for submissions. The project was curated by creative producer Mark Cramer whose clients include the City of West Hollywood, Christopher Street West/L.A. Pride, The Gay Men's Chorus of L.A., Halloweenie and Level Ground. Additionally, Cramer owns INSTALL, a public art consulting group that specializes in the development and management of unique art programming in the greater Los Angeles community and works with emerging LGBTQ artists, creating opportunities for interactive exhibitions and public showcases.

"The launch of new guitars is a highlight each year," says Sunset Strip Business Association Executive Director/CEO Todd Steadman. "Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is a great project for everyone involved. Some of our favorite musicians are celebrated through art, and The Sunset Strip serves as a unique art gallery, with thousands of people walking the famed boulevard and enjoying the works of art each day. We are also happy to work with Mark this year to showcase dynamic works by emerging and acclaimed artists in such a public setting."

Works being unveiled August 19 include:

Artist Title Honoring the music of:

Risk "Sweet Emotion" Joe Perry

Gail Zappa "Frank Zappa Audio Tombstone" Frank Zappa

Stacey Wells "Janie's Got a Gun" Steven Tyler

Sarah's INCOGNITO "Golden Nostalgia" Elton John

Lori Antoinette "Cyndi Lauper" Cyndi Lauper

Ruben Esparza "Freddie Mercury Icon" Freddie Mercury

Joshua Burks "Double Booked" Jane's Addiction/Empire of the Sun

FOREMOST "Minneaolitan" Prince

Demetra Karras "Wake Up" Rage Against The Machine

TJ Roe "Serpent Sirena" The Viper Room

Kevin Llewellyn "Live Fast, Never Die"

Gino Burman-Loffredo "The Man Who Sold the World" David Bowie

Forrest Holt "Nothing's Shocking 25th Anniv." Jane's Addiction

Willard Snow "Reggae Legend" Bob Marley

Willard Snow "China Cat" Jerry Garcia

Willard Snow "The English Rocker" Marc Bolan

Willard Snow "Acid Queen" Janis Joplin

Updendo & Raphael Saadiq Otis Redding

Music fans can view the visually striking 10-foot guitars in person at the upcoming Sunset Strip Music Festival on September 20 and 21. Following the festival they will be installed along the 1.6 mile Sunset Strip outside of landmarks including the Rainbow, The Roxy, Whisky A Go-Go, Andaz West Hollywood hotel (former "Riot Hyatt"), House of Blues Sunset Strip and The Comedy Store, among others.

The guitars will be publicly displayed through the end of the year before being auctioned for charity during the first quarter of 2015. Since the project's initial launch in 2010, the guitars have raised more than $150,000 for charity. Past beneficiaries include Music For Relief, which was founded by members of Linkin Park to support disaster relief efforts; Los Angeles Fund for Public Education's "Arts Matter" campaign, supporting art and music education in L.A. public schools; Los Angeles Youth Network, which provides resources for homeless youth in Los Angeles; West Hollywood Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission to support public art efforts; and the West Hollywood Library. Stay tuned for exciting announcements regarding the 2014 GuitarTown charity recipient.

Gibson GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is supported by the Sunset Strip Business Association, Hornburg Land Rover on The Sunset Strip, City of West Hollywood and Visit West Hollywood. GuitarTown on The Sunset Strip is administered by the Gibson Foundation, the philanthropic division of Gibson Brands Inc.

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