Gibson Garage Hosts SIGD’s FretHaus 2023 in Nashville

FretHaus 2023, an exhibition of student design work from Auburn’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD), was held this year at Gibson Garage, the Gibson Brand Inc.’s flagship store in Nashville, Tennessee. The retail outlet and guitar mecca hosted a night of guitar displays and musical performances on Friday, April 28. SIGD Professor of Practice Keith Medley performed with a band that included John Bohlinger, star of the NBC show Nashville Star, and Auburn University President Christopher Roberts was also in attendance.

FretHaus, a guitar design studio and senior thesis program, is a collaboration between Medley, industrial design Professor Rich Britnell and SIGD staff member David Gowan. Britnell originally developed the idea for FretHaus because so many of his students were interested in guitars and music. This innovative curriculum has led to a fruitful partnership with industry professional Medley, who is Master Luthier and Product Development Manager for Gibson Guitars.

This year’s FretHaus exhibition included 18 fully functional guitars designed during the past semester as well as 18 guitars from previous shows that were chosen by a vote from the current students. To see this year’s designs, follow @au.frethaus on Instagram.