Artsplosure & Lenovo Introduce New Art Market Category: Tech

Art and technology push the boundaries to create something that sparks emotion and progresses the world forward. Artsplosure has historically been inclusive of woodwork, photography, painting, 2D and 3D art, and everything in between. At this year’s Artsplosure art market at IBMA Bluegrass Live, a new category emerged with the help of Morrisville-based tech giant Lenovo: technology. 

This year at Artsplosure’s art market at IBMA Bluegrass Live, Artsplosure was proud to partner  with Lenovo to launch this new tech category. Enter David and Lorie English.

David & Lorie english

David & Lorie at their booth at ibma bluegrass live’s art market

David and Lorie English are Junkman’s Crossroads: a husband-and-wife team who has a  passion for taking vintage and unique items, then upcycling them into usable art. Lorie focuses on zero waste and reuse of vinyl, vintage materials and recycled clothing to create handbags, instrument cases and guitar straps. David creates guitars out of found items, scraps, and vintage metal objects. He has also created the first handmade, wooden, fully-integrated electric kazoo which is sold around the world. The original designed pickup for the kazoo was created to have a high output, while remaining small enough to fit into a standard size kazoo – and took over a year to develop.

David was inspired to design an electric kazoo while playing in a band and using an acoustic  kazoo to emulate a horn section. It was always a crowd favorite, but it was a challenge to get  enough volume to be heard over the other instruments. 

His electric kazoos sound great acoustically while also giving musicians more options for customized playing, including effects and the ability to play through pedals. David’s invention brings these traditionally skilled alterations to an instrument that is easy enough for anyone to play. 

“lenovo is committed to making the triangle an even more culturally rich area”

Looking ahead, David hopes to integrate internal Bluetooth technology into all of his instruments. This will give his customers the ability to share their music without the use of expensive audio equipment by simply using portable Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Using Bluetooth will also eliminate the need for audio cables to better showcase the craftsmanship of each unique instrument. 

Artists of all kinds, including those who have used technology in a unique way to innovate their work, are invited to apply here to the 2023 Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival.

Having called North Carolina home for nearly two decades, Lenovo is committed to making the Triangle an even more culturally rich area, and the partnership between technology and the arts is  an ideal avenue for that.  

Stay tuned to see how Lenovo brings technology to First Night Raleigh for New Year’s Eve on  Fayetteville Street!