Six-String Masterpieces is a charitable art exhibition featuring a impressive collection of Dean Electric Guitars that have been hand-painted, illustrated and sculpted by leading musicians and contemporary visual artists.
Artists who have donated their talents to paint guitars for this exhibit include Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Kerry King of Slayer, Les Claypool of Primus, Bret Michaels, famed pyschedelic painter Alex Grey, contemporary art faves Mark Ryden and Ryan McGinness, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Mark Dean Veca, Erik Foss, Jon Davis & Munky of KORN, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Kelly Clarkson, video director/photographer Dean Karr, pop surrealist Chris Mars, Shawn Barber, renowned tattoo artists Aaron Cain and Filip Leu, and many more.
Mesa Contemporary Arts has partnered with curator Curse Mackey and exhibit sponsor Dean Guitars to revive this very special exhibition, unveiling newly painted guitars alongside select works from the original show.
With over $200,000 raised thus far, Six-String Masterpieces continues to evolve as an ongoing charitable exhibition that serves to raise awareness and support for music education and carries a message of anti-violence with its dedication to one of rock music's greatest and most beloved guitar players, Dimebag Darrell Abbott. All proceeds from Six-String Masterpieces benefit LITTLE KIDS ROCK, one of America’s top music education charities.
Six-String Masterpieces debuted at the 2006 NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA and toured throughout the U.S. in 2006 and 2007. The exhibit was a popular feature of the 2006 Ozzfest and Family Values Tours with several thousands concert goers per day lining up to see the guitars. it was featured on MTV's Headbangers Ball and was the subject of a special issue of Guitar Player Magazine dedicated entirely to this groundbreaking exhibit.
The original collection of 60 painted guitars was auctioned at an all-star benefit event at House of Blues Hollywood in May of 2007. The auction generated nearly $200,000 in support of Little Kids Rock, one of America's highest rated music education organizations.
The opening on Sept. 9th at Mesa Contemporary Arts will be the first time that the guitar painted by Ozzy Osbourne has ever been shown in the United States. It has previously only been seen at the Museo De La Ciudad De Mexico, one of the finest museums in Mexico City.
This is a rare opportunity to see some favorite names in music and art apply their talents to a completely different medium while raising money and awareness for the next generation of artists and musicians.
PARTICIPATING ARTIST LIST (subject to change):
AARON CAIN
ALEX GREY
ASHLEY PURDY (BLACK VEIL BRIDES)
BEN BESHAW
BILLY CORGAN (SMASHING PUMPKINS)
BILLY GIBBONS (ZZ TOP)
BRANDON DUNLAP
BRET MICHAELS
BRYAN "MUTIE" CUNNINGHAM
CAROLYN LAVENDER
CHESTER BENNINGTON (LINKIN PARK)
CHRIS MARS
COLIN CHRISTIAN
DALEK
DANIEL MARTIN DIAZ
DAVE MUSTAINE (MEGADETH)
DEAN KARR
DEREK HESS
ERIK FOSS
FILIP LEU
GWAR
IRON FIST
JOE HAHN (LINKIN PARK)
JON DAVIS + MUNKY (KORN)
KELLY CLARKSON
KERRY KING (SLAYER)
KEVIN HARVICK & TEAM MEMBERS OF RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING
KEVIN LLEWELLYN
LES CLAYPOOL (PRIMUS)
MARC CODY
MARK DEAN VECA
MARK RYDEN
NANCY WILSON (HEART)
OZZY OSBOURNE
PALE HORSE DESIGN
PHIL HOLT
RYAN MCGINNESS
SAGE O' CONNELL
SCOTT IAN (ANTHRAX)
SUCH STYLES
TOD JUNKER/JUNKER DESIGNS
TORI SPELLING & DEAN MCDERMOTT
WILLIE ADLER (LAMB OF GOD)
ZAKK WYLDE (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)
