Painted-Violin

The Painted Violin

The San Angelo Symphony and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts have officially launched "The Painted Violin Project," a special joint fundraising and education effort. The project is an idea being used by many orchestras across the United States today and marks one of the first collaborative efforts between the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and the San Angelo Symphony.

Sixteen violins were given to area artists with freedom to interpret their artistic visions. The artists contributing their time and talents to the project include: Mary Swain, Julie Raymond, René Alvarado, Ben Sum, Cycris Ho, Barbara Barnhart, Max Hulse, Michelle Cuevas, Laurel Dane, Peggy Niño, Roger Allen, Amber Carter Alexander, Joy Noguess, Liz Steving, Debbie Cross, and the automotive painters at the Texican Chop Shop.

Several of the violins will make their first public appearance on Saturday, January 13th at the San Angelo Symphony Guild's annual Gala at the Cactus Hotel. Beginning on Monday, January 15th, the entire collection will be split into groups and the various groups will be on display at different locations around San Angelo including both branches of San Angelo National Bank, San Angelo Community Medical Center, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Royal Estates, and Sunset Mall. The violins will then be on display from February 1st - 10th at the Art Museum.

One of the violins will make a special trip into area schools. During these trips into the schools, students will have the opportunity to learn more about the violin, and about creative art. Students will also be able to paint a "violin" of their own.

The violins will make their final public appearance when they are auctioned off at a special Valentine's dinner and dance which is set to take place at the Museum on Saturday, February 10th. The proceeds from the Painted Violin Project and the Heartstrings Valentine's dinner will benefit both the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and the San Angelo Symphony.