C.F. Martin & Co to Unveil First Series of 'Art Guitars' at Weekend Music & Arts Celebration

Collection of Eight One-of-a-Kind Pieces, Rescued and Embellished by Eight Talented Artists, Set to be Auctioned for Charity

Where do guitars that are damaged during shipping go when they die?  Eight assorted Martin guitars were lucky enough to avoid their uncertain fate after being rescued by an “angel” in search of a new medium for her artistic endeavors.

C. F. Martin & Company (http://martinguitar.com) today announced that it is publicly unveiling eight “Art Guitars” during a series of special events taking place this weekend in historic Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  These one-of-a-kind guitars were built by Martin Guitar, but suffered shipping damage that normally would have resulted in the guitars being destroyed.  Angel Band singer/songwriter Nancy Josephson, however, asked permission to “embellish” one such of the out-of-commission instrument. After completing her incredible bejeweled guitar (below), Josephson enlisted the talents of seven additional artists to create their versions of guitar art.

The result?  Eight unique and extraordinary designs that will be on display this weekend during the 5^th Annual Martin Owners Club Event and 3^rd Annual Martin on Main celebration taking place at and around Martin’s famed factory and museum.  Following the events, the Art Guitars will join the Martin museum collection, where they will remain until being auctioned off to benefit a charity in Wilmington, Delaware, where Josephson resides with her husband, legendary musician David Bromberg.

“Aside from the sheer joy of applying our art upon the wonderful facades of Martin guitars, these unique pieces will help fund the restoration the Wilmington's jewel, the Grand Opera House, as well as the C. F. Martin Charitable Foundation,” said Nancy Josephson.

About the Martin Owners Club Event and Martin On Main

Over 1,400 members of the Martin Owners Club and The UMGF: Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum will converge on Nazareth, PA, for their 5th annual gathering. Martin Guitar enthusiasts from across the country and around the globe will come together on August 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Martin Guitar factory and museum located at 510 Sycamore Street, Nazareth, PA 18064.

This day-long event of musical camaraderie, entertainment, exclusive first looks at new guitars and product demonstrations, factory and museum tours, live music, guitar clinics, an open mic staging area, food and sunshine is an opportunity to socialize with Martin Guitar employees and C.F. Martin’s sixth-generation family head Chris Martin IV. The Martin Owners Club event is a unique, once a year, official open-house celebration with Martin Guitars’ closest friends and special guests.

Following the Martin Owners Club event, on Saturday, August 7, is the Third Annual "Martin on Main" event hosted by the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce and the UMGF.  It will feature a day-long music and arts celebration bringing local merchants, vendors, and over two dozen performers on stages located throughout the historic city of Nazareth, PA.