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Big Guitars = A Big Event on the
New and Improved Sunset Strip!
Posted: August 2010

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Is it just me, or do the coolest events always seem to take place in West Hollywood? We are on the Sunset Strip to attend what is really two events in one: a  ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the seven-month-long Sunset Strip Beautification Project, and the launch of Gibson GuitarTown, a unique exhibit of guitar art along the legendary Sunset Strip.

The grand 're-opening' of the Sunset Strip started with a ribbon cutting ceremony with West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman, City Council Member Abbe Land and Mayor Pro Tem John Duran. Following the ribbon cutting, a caravan of classic cars made its way down the Strip to the Rainbow Bar & Grill for a press conference that provided information on the GuitarTown exhibit. The cars are traveling on a newly resurfaced roadway of rubberized asphalt made from recycled tires.
 

Cutting the ribbon on an even more beautiful Sunset Strip

Classic cars lead the convoy to the press conference

GuitarTown is a public art project featuring 26 ten-foot-tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars that have been strategically placed along West Hollywood's 1.6-mile Sunset Strip. The colorful oversized guitars were created by various artists and each guitar highlights a Sunset Strip musician, personality or event. Some members of the music industry were on hand for the event, including lead singer of The Runaways Cherie Currie and Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson. Both graciously autographed the guitars that had been decorated to highlight their musical careers. 
 

The Runaways lead singer Cherie Currie

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

Themes for the guitar sculptures include the jazz era, the glitz and glamour of the boulevard, and the 60's counterculture movement. There are pieces celebrating such performers as Slash, Jimi Hendrix, and Ozzy Osbourne, just to name a few. The unique sculptures were created by local and nationally-acclaimed visual artists selected by a committee of community and business leaders, as well as members of the arts community. Each sculpture uses its own medium from sculpture to painting and photography.
 

'The Glory Days' celebrates guitar men of the ages

Jack Daniels and The Doors guitars at 'The Whisky'

We are not going to show you all of the guitars. A photo may convey the essence of this impressive exhibit, but the best way to see these eye-catching masterpieces is in person. GuitarTown will remain on display for six months, after which the guitars will be sold at a Gala auction to benefit worthwhile charities.

For more information: http://www.gibson.com/sunset-strip/