Newark College's Guitar Making and Repair course exhibited at the UK’s biggest guitar exhibition, The Guitar Show, based in Birmingham.
The event welcomed a record number of visitors this year after selling out, drawing musicians, collectors and industry professionals from across the country.
The event is renowned for bringing together the best of the guitar world, with exhibitors showcasing electric and acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, pedals and a wide range of innovative equipment and accessories.
Among the exhibitors was our School of Musical Instrument Craft guitar making and repair staff and students, who used the opportunity to connect with aspiring luthiers and guitar enthusiasts interested in learning the craft of instrument making.
Representing the course across both days were tutors Nick Pearson and Ask Eide, who spent the weekend speaking with a constant stream of curious players and potential students.
On the Sunday they were joined by Course Coordinator Manuel Aragon along with several current students, giving visitors the chance to hear directly about life on the course and the experience of learning the craft at Newark.
Interest in the programme remained strong throughout the show. Staff and students handed out flyers promoting the guitar making course and spoke with many visitors eager to learn more about studying instrument making.
For current students, the event was also an opportunity to engage with the wider guitar making community.
Eja Atkinson reflected on the experience, saying: “It was nice to speak to prospective students and network with other luthiers.”
Fellow student Ronnie Perkins added: “It was inspiring to see the wide variety of guitar makers that exist in the UK, especially in the acoustic guitar section.”
Alongside meeting future students, the team also connected with many professionals across the industry.
The event also provided a welcome chance to reconnect with former Newark College guitar alumni who were visiting the show.
With the event fully sold out and interest in guitar making thriving, the weekend proved to be a successful showcase for the School.
For those inspired by the craft and curious about building instruments professionally, the course at Newark College School of Musical Instrument Crafts continues to offer a unique opportunity to learn traditional and modern guitar-making skills within one of the UK’s leading centres for instrument making.
Learn more or apply for the Guitar Making course today.
