The Luthier's Craft
The Luthier's Craft:
Instrument Making Traditions of the Blue Ridge
This exhibit explores and documents the traditional arts of fiddle, guitar and banjo making in Southern Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Displayed at museums around the region since 2014, The Luthier's Craft was developed by the Mount Airy Museum staff to document and preserve the instrument making traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The exhibit is a direct outgrowth of the museum’s partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Humanities Council on the Museum on Main Street (MOMS) traveling exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music,” in 2010.
The exhibit was funded in large part by grants from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the North Carolina Arts Council and local music afficionado and explores the work explores the work and often interconnected lives of luthiers Wayne Henderson, Johnny Gentry, Chris Testerman, Albert Hash, Audrey Hash Ham, Michael Fox, Jane Henderson and Ernest Combs.
The exhibit offers visitors a hands-on, interactive exploration of the rich history of this traditional craft. For booking information contact Matt Edwards at mjedwards@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 ext 224.
