Avon Lake Artist's GuitarMania Guitar Opens for Bids

The glass guitar created by an Avon Lake artist for GuitarMania 2012 is now up for auction, and bids can be accepted online.

Judy Kean, who operates at The Glass Studio in Avon Lake entered GuitarMania 2012 with her second 10-foot guitar, which is covered in broken glass. The mosaic, titled Saltwater Taffy, is the only mosaic guitar entered. Most of the others are painted. Saltwater Taffy is sponsored by Baker Hostetler and was displayed this past summer.

This is the second time Kean has created a guitar for the event. Her last guitar, The Glass Parrot, created in 2007, sold for $15,000.

Using hot green and paisley patterns, Salt Water Taffy is a stained –glass reproduction of a psychedelic painting from the Fender Design series by artist Pamelina H. The 10-foot tall Fender Stratocaster guitar is one of more than 60 ten-foot guitars entered and being auctioned off for the United Way on Oct. 20 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Being a part of the project was important to Kean.

“United Way supports organizations close to my heart,” Kean said. “GuitarMania is a great fun way to show the beauty and versatility of stained glass.”  

Kean is an award winning stained glass and mosaic artist. Her work can be seen at local art and craft fairs and shows across Ohio. She is available for office, medical, restaurant, commercial and residential commissions and public art.

Kean, who created the guitar in a donate store-front in Learwood Plaza, invited the public to stop by and watch her work, and on occasion, assist her with Saltwater Taffy.

She said she would consider another project, “possibly in a different city.”

“I like public art,” she said.

The Glass Studio has been creating one of a kind stained glass and mosaic art for offices, and homes since 1984. Kean, a member of the American Glass Guild, is a three-time scholarship winner.  She has formal training on the art of stained glass and glass painting and teaches in Avon Lake. She is a national speaker on the art of stained glass.

Kean will be demonstrating the art of stained glass at the Fabulous Food Show & By Hand Arts and Craft Fair Nov. 9 – 11 at the IX Center in Cleveland.

To bid online for Salt Water Taffy, click here.