Artists around Les Paul’s hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin are spreading creativity, paint and plenty of other artistic elements.

When the challenge was posted to submit designs for decorating a Gibson 10-foot guitar three Guthrie men stepped forward. You could say they strung their ideas together and picked the best elements.

Wis Guthrie, now 94 years old, was a long-time art professor at Waukesha’s Carroll University. His son Jim and grandson Ryan inherited the artistic gene. Wes thought Les Paul’s moniker of “Red Hot Red” was a great theme for the guitar.

Their design was selected and the three Guthries got started. The fourth Guthrie, 2-year old Ethan, offered his stickers when he saw the 10-foot fiberglass guitar. Jim’s brother Lee was plucked to help with the project as well. (There are just way too many punny opportunities.)

Ryan, Jim and Wes Guthrie with their 10-foot guitar

GuitarTown organizers want to keep the finished designs “under cover” until the official May 31^st unveiling, but they did say we could offer a peek or two.

Going along with the tongue-in-cheek theme, the trio installed an “oven” in the back of the guitar and placed some of Les Paul and Mary Ford’s “hot” music inside.

“Oven” in the back of the “Red Hot Red” 10-foot tall Gibson guitar.

If you are anywhere near Waukesha this May 31 through June 2, stop by downtown Waukesha to revel in the festivities and most importantly, view all ten 10-foot tall guitars and the 20 smaller “playable” guitars. All will be on display Friday June 1 and June 2. If those dates just don’t work for you, visit downtown Waukesha later this year to view the guitars.

Read more about Waukesha’s GuitarTown

Find out more at www.waukeshaguitartown.com