WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) League is launching “Strings Attached,” a collaborative painted violin fundraising project.
The online auction of four hand-painted violins will benefit WSO’s educational programs, as well as support WSO’s 2021-22 live public performances of five Masterworks concerts, four Holiday Pops concerts, a Cabaret & Cocktails event, and a side-by-side concert with the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra.
Four local artists living in the Williamsburg area were chosen by reputation to bring the retired instruments back to life as pieces of art.
The pieces include “Colonial Williamsburg” by Bob Carlson, “Rhapsody in Blue” by Michael Jones, “Koi Ballet” by Catherine Minga and “Starry Night at the Symphony” by Bob Oller. The violins were painted with scenes of the artists’ choosing.
With support from Apryl Altman of the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, the project is part of the Encore Affairs committee’s efforts to further the orchestra with unique initiatives and collaborative events that support local Virginia businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
“The Encore Affairs committee, which plans fun, fund-raising events in support of the WSO, is so excited to be sponsoring the ‘Strings Attached’ event,” Georgianna Avioli, Encore Affairs Committee Chair who spearheaded the project, said. “The online auction of the four generously painted violins by some of the best artists from across the Peninsula, provides a means to raise money without planning contact events.”
“We do look forward to a few outdoor spring events as we become more confident about getting people together,” Avioli added.
The violins will be on display at the Masterworks Concert on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Hwy. The violins will then travel from there to Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center where they will remain for several weeks while the auction goes live.
The auction will conclude at the Cabaret & Cocktails event on January 23, 2022, at the Williamsburg Lodge.
To learn more about the violins, visit WSO’s website.
