Free Cigar Box Guitar Workshop for Community at UVA Wise

Music, creativity and craftsmanship will come together this June during a free weeklong Cigar Box Guitar Workshop hosted at the University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise). Participants will learn how to transform everyday materials into unique handmade musical instruments while exploring the rich history and culture of cigar box guitars.

A “cigar box guitar,” often called a “CBG” by enthusiasts, is a handmade instrument created from repurposed materials such as wooden cigar boxes, cookie tins, gas cans, lunch boxes, trays and other found objects. Despite their humble origins, these instruments produce surprisingly rich and expressive sounds. Legendary musicians including Blind Willie Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins, Seasick Steve and Jack White have incorporated cigar box guitars into blues, folk, rock and other musical styles.

During the workshop, participants will build a 3-4 string cigar box guitar using a variety of cigar boxes provided by the instructors, or they may bring their own. Attendees will learn how to lay out and slot a fingerboard, or even choose a fretless design, and decorate their instruments and tune them for play. 

The workshop will be led by UVA Wise Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Jim Veenstra and Blane Sage, who invite community members to explore the fun and creativity of building a functional musical instrument from repurposed “junk.”

The workshop is open to individuals ages 14 and older and will meet nightly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 9–13, in Room 214 of the Gilliam Center for the Arts at UVA Wise.

The workshop is free to attend. All materials are provided through the “Art in Wise” grant funded by the University of Virginia’s Jefferson Trust Flash Grant Program.

For additional information or registration details, interested participants may contact Jim Veenstra at jlv4c@uvawise.edu.