GuitarMania® returned in 2007 with a high-energy kickoff at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Friday, May 25. A crowd of hundreds -- artists, sponsors, supporters and tour groups -- came down on a beautiful, sunny morning to see and be seen (and photographed) with this year's assemblage of more than 70 nine-foot-tall guitars creatively transformed by local artists and national celebrities. The guitars were on display at the Rock Hall over the Memorial Day weekend. Check out each of the guitars at their summer locations. Download a locator map at www.cleveland.com/guitarmania.
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"Cleveland Rock Garden: Hybrid" by artist Gregory Glueck. St. Luke's Foundation is sponsoring Glueck's nature-themed guitar entry.
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Henry L. Meyer III, KeyCorp Chairman and CEO and United Way Board Chairman, addresses an enthusiastic crowd at the GuitarMania Kickoff at the Rock Hall.
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Derek Dorsey shows off his entry, "Cleveland Heart of Rock and Roll," sponsored by United Way of Greater Cleveland.
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City of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, who also serves as Honorary Co-Chair of GuitarMania, speaks at the Kickoff. "GuitarMania brings beautiful art to our streets and attracts residents and tourists to visit the city," he said.
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Billy Nainiger stands behind his timely Cavs-themed guitar, "King James." The guitar is sponsored by Family Heritage Life Insurance.
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Martin Sweeney, Cleveland City Council President, thanks GuitarMania SuperSponsors Eaton Corporation and KeyBank for their commitment to Cleveland.
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Regina High School art students surround their colorful entry, "Sweet Cleveland." They won the It's All Guitars! school design competition.
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Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman encourages the audience to attend the GuitarMania auction on October 20.
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Jason Farrell represented Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at the Kickoff. Fender has supported GuitarMania since 2001.
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Trevor Donnelly poses with "Octopus' Garden," which he designed with Len Peralta. Time Warner Cable is sponsoring the guitar.
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Tri-C art student XinXin Liu is pretty in pink as she poses with her Cuyahoga Community College-sponsored guitar, "Cultural Exchange."
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Todd Volkmer's extreme "Dirt-N-Vert" guitar is sponsored by the AST Dew Tour.
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Civic and corporate leaders supporting GuitarMania,
along with more than 300 sponsors, artists and friends,
turned out on a sunny morning May 25, 2007 for the
GuitarMania Kickoff at the Rock Hall.
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