Our major fund-raising effort  for the 2010-2011 year to help us keep the music alive for the children of the Georgia Pick & Bow Traditional Music School was the raffle of an original work of folk art which was also a fine playable musical instrument.  North Georgia folk artist Billy Roper, whose work is in art collections throughout the United States and in over 30 countries, created the folk art bass fiddle. He spent more than 6 months pouring his heart, soul, and tremendous talent into painting the bass.

Ticket sales raised $12,000 for the Georgia Pick & Program.  These funds will help provide scholarships to many of the students who participate in the program and will also help to provide instruction and instruments for the students. The winning ticket was drawn on April 17th at the annual Bear on the Square festival.  The lucky winner was Paul Dunlap, an assistant professor at NGCSU’s  visual arts department.  He plans to put the bass on display at the college so that all may enjoy its beauty.

A Hand-Painted Bass by Famed Folk Artist Billy Roper