Guitar Artwork Shines in Exhibit
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“Birds of a Feather,” a special exhibition featuring artist Clark Hipolito’s original artwork on Lichty handcrafted guitars, ukuleles and Will Allison surfboards, will open on Friday, June 10, at Deluxe restaurant in downtown Wilmington, NC.
The title of the exhibition, “Birds Of A Feather,” reflects the collaboration between Raleigh, NC-based artist Hipolito, surfboard shaper Will Allison of Wilmington, and luthier Jay Lichty of Tryon – the three North Carolina artists/craftsmen who have created the artwork, surfboards and heirloom quality guitars and ukuleles for the show.
Artist Clark Hipolito
Hipolito, the founder of Art Co Surf in Raleigh, has been well known for several years for his hand-painted, wood-grain surfboards that are inspired by the Polynesian surfing legacy, Asian art, and Hipolito’s love of classic Chris-Craft boats. In 2008, Hipolito applied his art to a guitar that was subsequently signed by performers at that year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee and auctioned to raise funds for charity. As word of Hipolito’s hand-painted guitar circulated, other musicians commissioned him to paint guitars for them, including Michael Franti of Spearhead and country rock star Mike Gossin of Gloriana.
Luthier Jay Lichty
Custom Guitar builder Jay Lichty, founder of Lichty Guitars, is the 2010 winner of the prestigious Made in the South Award from Garden & Gun magazine and is gaining international notoriety given the scope of musicians who are choosing his custom instruments. A partial list of these professional musicians includes Geoff Achison (internationally acclaimed Australian guitarist), Tom Gossin (Gloriana) and Doug Lancio, (Nashville producer and lead guitarist for John Hiatt and Patty Griffin).
Lichty also designed and built Mike Gossin’s custom guitar and that led to working with Hipolito for the first time. “My Lichty guitar is absolutely incredible! I wanted this guitar to represent who I am and what I bring to the table as a musician. Between Jay’s craftsmanship and Clark’s artwork – man they nailed it!” said Gossin. . “Jay is the one of the most talented guitar makers emerging in the world right now, his attention to detail, and choice of materials are second to none…” (Hipolito).
Surfboard Creator Will Allison
After the success with Gossin’s guitar they decided to collaborate on a show and invited surfboard shaper Will Allison to join them. Allison is a world-renowned surfer and surfboard shaper, founding Allison Surfboards in 1976. He continues to create his coveted line of surfboards, which are considered functional art. With an Allison Surfboard, one can go surfing and have something beautiful too. He is a successful entrepreneur, expert craftsman and southern gentleman to the core. A longtime surfing competitor, Allison won the 1979 & 1987 US Surfing Championships, is a multiple champion at the East Coast Surfing Championships & Eastern Surfing Championships, and is the first North Carolinian to surf on the World Surfing Team. An original North Carolina surfing pioneer, he was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 2006 and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He lives in Middle Sound with his wife, daughter and two dogs.
“Will is a legend,” Hipolito said. “He’s been creating surfboards longer than anyone I’ve ever known.” Allison boards, with original artwork applied by Clark Hipolito, are an exciting part of this collaborative art show.
The opening reception for “Birds Of A Feather” will be held at 8 p.m. on June 10th at Deluxe, 114 Market Street, in downtown Wilmington, NC, with live acoustic music provided by Sai Collins. All three artists will attend. The show will run through the summer.
Hand Painted Guitar and Ukulele Gallery