Back by popular demand are beautifully hand-painted violins that will be exhibited at the Showhouse where you will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to win one-of-a kind works of art.

Money raised from this award winning project of The Guild’s Education Committee funds grants of up to $500 each to Northeast Florida teachers who employ music in class projects. In 2010, more than $5,000 was awarded for such diverse ideas as buying a violin case, paying for field trip busses to the Nutcracker ballet, and the purchase of classroom instruments.

Each of the ten violins was decorated by a First Coast area artist whose creativity was donated to this project. While most are hand-painted, others use paper fragments, rhinestones, sequins and tassels. One displays a scene from Venice, whereas another is a reminder of Mexico; and one is for the ultimate Jaguar fan!

Each time the violins are exhibited, we’ve been interested in the comments heard. Viewers talk about the color, the medium, the subject, and of course, the artistry. Some prefer a particular instrument because “the color matches my couch”, while birdwatchers enjoy the hummingbird on another violin. Ticket buyers often debate their selection with friends, or seriously consider each creation prior to making their selection. Businesses also are invited to purchase tickets and a corporate winner could show its support for the arts by exhibiting a violin in its reception area.

Participating artists are: John Bunker, Toni Charneco, Ellen Diamond, Gretchen Ebersol, George Guzzardo, Hillary Hoague, Carole Mehrtens, Susan Ober, Susan Shulman and Tayloe White.

Photography by Laird