Play me Kingston to turn downtown into a gallery of guitars

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Downtown Kingston will become a gallery this summer with the launch of Play me Kingston, a public art project featuring 11 custom-designed guitar sculptures created by local and regional artists, drawing inspiration from the city’s music scene, cultural history, artists, and iconic performances.

This Downtown Kingston BIA initiative marks two milestones in Kingston’s musical history: the 10th anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s final concert on Aug. 20, and the inaugural RoadTrip Music Festival, taking place downtown Sept. 12.

The guitars will be installed at locations throughout the downtown core beginning in mid-August, with the exhibition running until November 1.

The collection includes five six-foot guitars and six three-foot sculptures, turning a walk through downtown into a celebration of both public art and Kingston’s connection to music.

Artists Sergio Jaua and Rowynne Grant, along with Downtown Kingston Events Strategist Nayeli Salazar, sit down with CFRC to share more about the project.

Listen to the full story here.