A new business that will focus on the custom building of instruments is coming to downtown Owensboro. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum officials announced Tuesday plans for the Kentucky Guitar Works at the Center for Lutherie.
Kentucky Guitar Works will be located in the space formerly occupied by the International Bluegrass Music Museum — and more recently known as the Turley building — at the RiverPark Center. Kentucky Guitar Works will occupy the entire first floor of the 207 East Second Street property — totaling about 1,800 square feet. The building is leased through the RiverPark Center.
Hannah Koller, Hall of Fame Marketing Director, said Kentucky Guitar Works aims to be a must-see, hands-on, educational pilgrimage for pickers, collectors, and enjoyers of Bluegrass music. The space will feature a gallery for an exhibition, a demonstration area, and merchandise.
But the primary draw for Kentucky Guitar Works is the instrument building. The business will host apprenticeship programs, workshops, and educational sessions for aspiring instrument builders.
“So it’s an all-encompassing place. We’re hoping it can be great for tourism, but also great for musicians that need somewhere to go to learn and build instruments,” Koller said.
Chris Joslin, Hall of Fame Executive Director, said that bluegrass music starts with an instrument. So having a Lutherie — a center specifically to repair and craft string instruments — will be big for Owensboro and Daviess County.
“Creating this space really does position us as the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World, creating a worldwide destination for Bluegrass music,” he said.
Josling said Kentucky Guitar Works will be the first business of its kind in Western Kentucky that offers luthier workshops, educational sessions, and other programming specifically for those interested in making the music and the instruments of bluegrass music.
While some businesses sell and repair instruments, this “takes it a step further” in allowing clients to custom design their instruments and watch them be made. They also plan to have classes to teach aspiring luthiers, Joslin said.
Joslin said he’s glad the museum can connect back with its former home. Scott McCain, RPC board chair, said it’s great to continue the collaboration between the two non-profits.
“RiverPark Center and the Bluegrass Museum coming back together as two nonprofits heavily involved in the arts … it’s just really great to be able to collaborate with them,” McCain said.
The City of Owensboro and Daviess County Fiscal Court are providing $100,000 each toward the project for construction and renovation costs. The remaining funding will be from cash and in-kind contributions from partners.
City and County officials both noted that this is going to be a beneficial experience for Owensboro-Daviess County.
“I’m excited and was eager to back this. To be able to experience something firsthand and be able to come into this space and have a professional get up close and learn from them, that’s an exciting and memorable opportunity,” Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said.
There is no finalized construction timeline, but it is expected to have start-up operations in January 2024 and be open by May 2024.
