Launching With Renowned New York Artist James A. Willis, Gibson Custom Continues Mission to Advance the Arts and Aid Established And Emerging Artists
Gibson Custom, a division of Gibson Guitar, have announced its exclusive Artist in Residency program. The new program, based in Nashville, was established to inspire fine art through the support of established and emerging artists.
Beginning in the first half of 2012, Artists interested in participating in the program will be invited to e-mail samples of their work and a short essay as to why they should be considered to customartistresident@gibson.com. In addition to global promotional support provided by Gibson, artists selected will receive residency and housing in the Nashville area, studio space and a materials budget. Inspired by Gibson, but not encumbered by strict boundaries or restrictions, the program’s sole requirement is that at least two commercially viable works of art be created during the residency.
James A. Willis, the program’s inaugural artist, has been profiled in American Art Collector, Art & Antiques, and RefuelMagazine.com, among others and is currently the recipient of a studio space endowment from CHASHAMA, a nonprofit arts organization based in New York City. Following his residency, he will remain an integral part of the program as chairman and aid in the selection process of future artists.
“This program is dear to our heart and it wonderfully combines our love of music and art,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We believe that having artists here will promote a great symbiotic relationship – and that they will inspire us and, hopefully, we will have the same impact on them.”