March 28, 2024

Artists’ work to be displayed at Iowa Hall of Fame

Pair of NHS artists hope their guitar is a winner

Functionally, the guitar recently delivered as Newton High School’s entry in a statewide art contest is the same as it was before it came to Jasper County.

However, visually, it’s a historical mural tapestry representing decades of rock and other music. It’s in Okoboji, where it will be judged against seven other painted guitars from other Iowa schools to determine two prize-winning high school art departments. Carolyn Thurmond and Will Lillo, who just completed their senior year and graduated from Newton High, are the two artists who were selected to paint Newton’s entry.

“I think this is a great program, and I’m impressed by the two students who took the time to do this,” said Dennis Farland, a Newton-area music supporter who took the guitar to Clear Lake to relay the guitar to a committee member who took it on to Okoboji for judging. “They even came back after graduation to work on this project.”

Each year since 2004, the Gretsch Guitar Company has donated the eight guitars to the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association to be placed in school art departments throughout the state of Iowa for an art contest. The schools then have art students adorn their guitars in an IRRMA music-related theme by a Memorial Day deadline, and the instruments are then placed on display in the IRRMA Music Museum at Arnolds Park, Iowa for the summer.

On Labor Day weekend, two winners judged by a panel of artists and also by people’s choice are announced. The winning guitars remain in the Arnolds Park museum for the following year and are auctioned on Labor Day weekend the following year.

The two winning art departments receive gift certificates for purchase of art supplies for a minimum amount of $150 each, but the full extent of the prize money has not been determined for this year. The six non-winning guitars will be auctioned after this year’s Labor Day weekend announcement, with funds benefiting the IRRMA education program.

Farland was involved in making sure Newton High was among the eight schools to have art students in the contest this year, and he plans to try to help Colfax High School in the contest next year.

“You have got to get your bids in early for this contest,” he said.

Newton High School art instructor Ruth DenHartog said Thurmond and Lillo were selected to decorate the guitar because of the seniors’ strong artistic interest and the abilities they’ve exhibited throughout their four years at NHS.

“They both readily accepted the challenge,” DenHartog said. “They began the work at school, completing it on their own time, after the seniors were out of school — and even after graduating.”

Their choices for decoration reflect both rock-n-roll history and their own artistic interests.  On the front, the top of the guitar fretwork is raining “Purple Rain” down onto a three-dimensional “Stairway to Heaven” fretboard.  A three-dimensional hand — a Michael Jackson-esque white glove, but with dark fingernails — adjusts the tuning.

A likeness of Jimi Hendrix and the association logo also adorn the front of the guitar. The back is decorated in a mosaic of corn and a microphone representing the main crop and a symbol of entertainment for Iowa.

Lillo said the experience of using the car as a canvas was a rock odyssey all its own.

“This project was an awesome opportunity to be a part of,” Lillo said. “I enjoyed listening to great music while working on this guitar.”

Thurmond said the project was a great learning experience.

“I learned a lot about rock-n-roll, and a lot about art,” she said. “I tried to use my strengths but I also tried some things I’ve never done. I appreciate the opportunity and hope we made something people will love.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at
641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com