Art Guitar Winners Named

The Bedford High School art students have captured both awards in the 2009 Gretsch Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Art Guitars in Schools competition.

Two awards are given each year: Artists’ Choice and People’s Choice. “These students have taken home both prizes this year,” stated IRRMA Museum Vice President Tom Golden of Arnolds Park . “We had nearly 3,000 people vote for the People’s Choice Winner this summer. Three artists judge the guitars on technical merit for the Artists’ Choice winner. Neither knew which one the other side had chosen and they both came up with the same winner.”

Bedford High School is located in Southwest Iowa and has won several awards for the outstanding quality of work by the students in their art program. “This is the final year of eligibility for the school,” Golden explained, “ so it is definitely an open field next year.”

The Gretsch Foundation partners with the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association to conduct the spirited and colorful competition each year. Bedford High was presented with two gift certificates to purchase art supplies. The guitar will be auctioned off next September. Until then, it will be on display in the IRRMA Music Museum in Arnolds Park.