For Immediate Release 

AUSTIN GUITARTOWN PROJECT ANNOUNCES

CALLL FOR ARTISTS

CHANCE FOR ARTISTS TO SUBMIT ARTWORK TO BE CONSIDERED FOR CITYWIDE EXHIBIT

AUSTIN, TEXAS-May 23, 2006- Gibson Guitar will announce on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 the official “Call For Artists” for Austin GuitarTown, a public arts project that will feature up to fifty 10-foot tall fiberglass Gibson guitars painted by Texas based visual artists and celebrities along with several showcase Gibson Les Paul guitars.  There will be a special announcement hosted by musical legend Ray Benson and famed Texas Football Coach, Darrel Royal, on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 11:00 AM at the Gibson Showcase located at 3601 South Congress G400.  Media is invited to attend and cover. Special project artwork will also be unveiled.

Mayor Wynn and Benson are co-chairs of the Austin GuitarTown project and will be on hand to officially announce the “Call For Artists” and the details of the selection process.  This official “Call For Artists” will give local and regional artists a chance to submit designs to be considered for official sculptures. Each submission will be viewed and voted on by the official Austin Guitartown Steering Committee. Those chosen will have the opportunity to paint a ten foot tall Gibson Guitar sculpture which will then exhibit throughout the city.

Visual artists interested in participating in this unique community charity project may download an application at www.austinguitartown.com or pick up an application at 3601 South Congress G400, Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.  Forms will also be available at the official announcement on Tuesday. Applications are due by Monday, June 19 by 5:00 PM CST.   There will be no extensions in deadlines and all submissions received after the date above will not be considered.  The artwork/artists chosen will be notified by July 1, 2006.

An official unveiling of the artistically created and designed Gibson guitar sculptures will be held in late Summer. The sculptures will then be placed throughout the city and later auctioned off for charity.

The Austin GuitarTown Committee includes: Honorary Chairman: Henry Juszkiewicz (Chairman and CEO/Gibson Guitar Corp); Honorary Committee: Music Icons, Ray Benson and Willie Nelson,  along with Texas Football Legend, Coach Darrel Royal and the Honorable Will Wynn; Steering Committee Members: Wendy Anderson (Austin Film Society), Clifford Antone (Antone’s Record Company), Susan Antone (Antone’s Nightclub/American Youthworks), Becky Arreaga (Mercury Mambo), Ed Bailey(KRLU), Jim Butler (City of Austin Economic Growth & Redevelopment Service Office), Howard W. Carey (Capitol Sports & Entertainment), Chris Collins (KUT), Dana Friis-Hansen (Austin Museum of Art), Theresa Jenkins (The Recording Academy, Texas Chapter), Katherine Jones (Milkshake Media LP), Rose Reyes (Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau), Ronne Rock (KXAN/NBC Austin*KNVA/Austin’s WB*KXAM/NBC Hill Country), Robin Shivers (R.R.S. Management, Inc.), Kerry Tate (TateAustin), Tracy Walker (Clear Channel Radio) and Mark Strama (Texas State Representative).  

The Austin GuitarTown project is administered through the Gibson Foundation, a Division of the Gibson Guitar Corp., which is dedicated to improving the quality of life through its support of the arts, education, health & welfare and environmental causes.

For more information, please call (512) 692-4191 or visit www.austinguitartown.com

Media Contacts:

Caroline Galloway/440-338-3469/caroline.galloway@gibson.com

Kim Dettwiller /615-321-4073 /kimdet@comcast.net