Symphony offers new take on violin masterpieces
Artist Glenn Brougher looked at his new project. He hesitated to touch the unique canvas with his paintbrush. For the first time, Brougher was painting a musical instrument and wasn't sure where to begin.
"I respect the musical instrument for what it is," says Brougher. "I was apprehensive to put paint on it."
Brougher is one of 14 artists that faced the challenge of painting violins for the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra's latest fundraiser. The project began last summer when Patricia Hofscher, the symphony's executive director, decided to try something new.
Hofscher heard about the fundraiser while attending a national conference. The idea of turning non-playable instruments into works of art appealed to her.
"It was just a way to tie in other arts people in town," says Hofscher. "We know there are a lot of local artists."
The violins serve several purposes. They present a new forum for local artists and should attract a variety of people to displays throughout the area. The violins will be auctioned in the fall to raise money for Jonhstown Symphony programs. So far, the bidding begins at $400 for a violin, with some bids as high as $750.
More than 40 organizations across the United States have used the project, mostly called painted violins, to raise money. It has become a favorite fundraising tool for symphonies and selected community organizations.
Hofscher recruited Dorothy Maravalli to chair the painted violin committee. Maravalli used all her contacts in the art and music communities. In the end, she had 14 artists willing to donate their time and money. The violins were donated by local musicians and shop owners. Some even came from as far away as New York City.
"I had a few guidelines from other symphony projects, but I changed things a little to suit our purposes," says Maravalli.
Brougher was quite eager to help the Johnstown Symphony and Maravalli, who is a close friend. He spent several weeks working on the piece, using "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for inspiration.
"I always like the 'Flight of the Bumblebee,' which is a piece done on the violin," says Brougher, of Westmont, Cambria County.
The finished piece looks like a piece of a flower garden rather than a used violin. Bright red flowers and vibrant green leaves attract hovering bees. The inspiration came easily, but the actual painting was more of a challenge.
"After I got started, I learned I had four sides to paint on," says Brougher. "They could be viewed from all angles. It became a little confusing for most of us."
Ken Cotlar agrees that instruments pose a more challenging canvas than a flat surface.
"I thought it would be a bit of challenge because of the shape and the surface," says Cotlar, of Ebensburg. "I had to approach this differently. I didn't have a clear plan to start with."
Cotlar used the symphony's theme for 2006 -- celestial music -- to inspire his piece. After two months, Cotlar produced a subtle look that evokes the sparkling stars at night.
"They are called violin masterpieces," says Hofscher. "Every one is beautiful in its own right."
The 11 violins and three violas range from simple graphic designs to vibrant swirls of color. Some become sculptures with pieces jutting from the sides. The results are impressive, even for the other artists.
"Some of the ideas, I think, are just wonderful," says Brougher.
The painted violins were completed last fall and have been touring art and community centers in Cambria and Somerset Counties. The violins will be on display at the Dressler Center for the Arts in Somerset from Sunday through April 13.
All the violins can be viewed on the symphony's Web site -- www.johnstownsymphony.org -- and bids can be placed online. The violins will be auctioned at the symphony's fall fundraiser.
Additional Information:
Details
Violin Masterpieces
What: Fundraising exhibit of painted violins
When: Sunday through April 13
Hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Dressler Center for the Arts, 214 South Harrison Ave., Somerset
Details: 814-443-2433 or www.johnstownsymphony.org
