Arts Council
A special exhibit of stringed instruments featured at the Behringer-Crawford Museum

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 7, 2011) — The exhibit “Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers” will be on display June 7 – July 10, 2011, at the Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Devou Park, Covington, Ky.

This special exhibit features the art and traditions of Kentuckians who are considered masters in the making and repairing of guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers and other original stringed instruments. “Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers” was first exhibited in 2007 at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea and is the result of years of research and fieldwork by the Kentucky Folklife Program. Since then, it has been on tour throughout the Commonwealth, reaching more than 25 different sites including arts centers, history centers, libraries, museums, state parks, festivals, colleges and universities. The exhibit also has a companion website at http://1.usa.gov/KACluthier.

“Behringer-Crawford Museum is excited and honored to host this wonderful exhibit celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of folk music in Kentucky,” said Sarah Siegrist, assistant director of the museum. “Northern Kentucky has a rich heritage of instrument-making, including the James Family luthiers. Behringer-Crawford has a deep connection with Homer Ledford and has served as host to performances and lectures by this esteemed musician and instrument maker. This display will be in place during our summer concert series, and I know music lovers from all over our region will experience the sights and sounds of great music while learning about the science and construction of the instruments being played. What a great way to blend all the senses in one fantastic exhibit celebrating the wonderful musical tradition of our great state.”

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is open to the public Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m. For more information about the museum, visit its website at www.bcmuseum.org.

Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers was originally funded through an American Masterpieces grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Touring support is provided by the Kentucky Arts Council. For information about scheduling the exhibit for public display in your community, contact Mark Brown, folklife specialist, at mark.brown@ky.gov or 502-564-1792, ext. 4491.

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The Kentucky Folklife Program identifies, documents, conserves and presents the Commonwealth's diverse cultural traditions through concerts, exhibits, narrative stages, archives, grant programs and classroom and community partnerships. It is an interagency program of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council supported with state tax dollars and funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.