Greenwood Village – The Madden Museum of Art will showcase seventeen painted violins,
violas and cellos, in a free Artist Reception on Thursday, October 6, 2011, which are to be later
auctioned, sold and raffled to benefit the Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association, one of
the leading youth orchestras in the nation. The reception, which runs from 5 pm to 8 pm, is co-
sponsored by the John Madden Company and Epicurean Catering, and will included live
classical music performed by DYAO musicians. Collectible greeting cards and posters
featuring images of this year’s and previous year’s painted violins will be on sale. Proceeds
from the sale of the greeting cards and posters benefit DYAO, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
The eighth annual Painted Violin collection boasts the most unique works of art in the history of
the fundraiser, including a piece titled Harmonic Syzygy created from a cello by internationally
renowned artist Lonnie Hanzon, whose forty-eight foot tall chandelier graces the atrium of the
Palazzo Verdi, which houses the Madden Museum of Art. The seventeen works of art were
created by regional, national and international artists from unplayable, “retired” musical
instruments. The collection was unveiled on September 23 at Gallery 1261 and will now tour to
regional galleries and performing art centers, beginning with the Madden Museum of Art.
“We are very excited to host the Eighth Annual Painted Violin fundraiser, because it benefits the
talented young students of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra,” stated Hillary Reed, Director of
the Madden Museum of Art.
New to the event this year are artists who work in other formats besides oil or acrylic paint.
DYAO’s Painted Violin Committee, which consists of regional gallery owners, artists and DYAO
board and staff members, decided to expand the definition of what constitutes a “painted violin.”
Many of the invited artists, who were given a violin, viola or cello, created a “three-dimensional
work that contains at least one component of the original instrument” given to them for this
purpose.
The seventeen artists representing California, Colorado, Missouri and Washington are: Patricia
Aaron (violin–encaustic, ink and mixed media)), Anton Arkhipov (cello-oil paint), Jessica Brown
(viola-acrylic paint), Jo Ann Brown-Scott (violin-mixed media), Deborah Carlson (viola-copper
and cast glass), Lonnie Hanzon (cello-mixed media), Lance Jackson (viola-aluminum, graphite,
and acrylic), Peggy Jackson (violin-acrylic paint, glass and butterflies), Kit Hevron Mahoney
(violin-oil), Carol Nelson (violin-mixed media), Benita Olivas (violin-oil), Connie Renner (violin-
oil), Roberto Ruschena (cello-oil paint), Judi Schultze (violin-soft pastels), Jan Steinhauser
(violin-handmade cast paper), Tina Suszynski (violin-ceramic), and Bruce White (violin-acrylic
paint).
The Painted Violins will be on exhibit at the Madden through November 10, followed by artist
receptions the Curtis Center for Arts & Humanities in Greenwood Village (November), Denver
International Airport (December), Masters Gallery at the Landmark Shops in Greenwood Village
(January), Clayton Lane Fine Arts in Cherry Creek North (February) Gallery 1261 in the Golden
Triangle District (March) and Translations Gallery in LoDo (March-April). The Painted Violin
collection will then be auctioned, sold and raffled to benefit the Denver Young Artists Orchestra
at the Painted Violin Gala on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Palazzo Verdi.
Tickets for the Painted Violin Exhibit Opening are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door.
Call DYAO at 303-433-2420 or visit www.paintedviolin.com to purchase tickets. The reception
includes an evening of art, music, food and libations. Media and press persons will be admitted
free with press credentials. Please call 303-433-2420 or email deb@dyao.org in advance of the
event to be added to the media list. For more information contact Deb De La Torre, Director of
Development & Strategic Partnerships at (303) 433-2420 or visit www.paintedviolin.com.
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