Artistic Harmony hits the right notes
Artists paint and decorate old instruments to raise money for local charities
Consider it a marriage of art and the arts. Instruments that have outlived their usefulness are being repurposed and reimagined, to serve as works of art
Jen Power recently transformed a guitar into an intricate piece, with delicate circular patterns. It would make an ideal wall or mantel decoration.
Power’s creation is part of an e ort to raise money for the Marigold Cultural Centre, along with other groups, and she’s one of 15 local artists converting unneeded instruments, from guitars to ukuleles, through Artists in Harmony.
“I think it’s incredible that it incorporates the downtown community, businesses, artists and also local non-profits and charities,” said Power. “I love to do unique art projects and support the community.”
e decorated instruments were distributed to be displayed in stores by Lori Holman from the Marigold Cultural Centre and David Mingo of Mingo Music Sales. ey will be auctioned through the Artists in Harmony Facebook page from Nov. 5 to 18.
e violins, ukuleles, banjos and guitars incorporate bright patterns. One features a drawing of a 1960s-style hippie van. Power’s uses an eastern-inspired ‘mandala’ design, employing oil-based paint markers to decorate the old guitar.
Such geometric designs are usually circular in nature and the word ‘mandala’ itself means ‘circle’ in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. Mandalas themselves represent the connection between one’s own inner world and the wider outside reality.
“I probably spent about 14 hours in total, working on my design,” said Power.
Groups being supported by the artists include the SPCA, Wayward Cats Society, ird Place Transition House, Slate Youth Centre, Scotia Pool, Cobequid Arts Council, Marigold Cultural Centre and the Colchester East Hants branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
A previous Artists in Harmony drive in July raised more than $2,000 for local organizations.
“I think it’s great,” said Holman. “As a notfor-pro t, it’s nice to see the community supporting us and the local artists in whatever way they can. I think the project itself brought people together.”