Wire And Wood:

Designing Iconic Guitars

June 29 —
September 29, 2019

Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars explored the basics of guitar design while also considering how some guitars have become icons, how they reached this status, and how technology will affect the instrument in the future. In addition to interactive activities in the galleries, this exhibition explored the design of the guitar, guitars as musical icons, technology & guitars, and more.

The exhibition featured guitars played by . . .

  • St Vincent

  • Junior Brown

  • Orianthi

  • Bo Diddley

  • Buck Owens

  • Billy Duffy of The Cult

  • Steve Vai

  • Kurt Cobain

  • Derek Trucks of The Derek Trucks Band

  • Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes

  • Jack White of The White Stripes

  • James Hetfield of Metallica

Curated by W. Todd Vaught

Assisting Todd in curating and producing this exhibition was Lisa S. Johnson, Image Consultant to the Curator.


About the Curator

This exhibition was curated by W. Todd Vaught, who brings over 20 years of experience in multi-disciplinary design, management, and story-telling to bear in Wire & Wood: Designing Guitars. In 2012, Vaught curated Skate It or Hang It!? The Evolution of Skateboard Design for MODA. The exhibition set attendance records and garnered interest from national publications, news outlets, and corporate entities.

Todd began playing guitar at age 15 and started to join local bands. His interest in guitar and its impact on a musician’s image has long been a fascination. Todd's full-time focus in Atlanta is acting as Managing Director of Dimensional Innovations where he leads the Atlanta office in multi-disciplinary design projects.

Wire & Wood Promotional Video