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About Us
Music speaks a universal language of the trials and smiles of life. In addition to helping organizations raise money, Art Strings Fundraising achieves a secondary goal: generating enthusiasm for music.
Interestingly, musicians exist at every level of the company- from founders; to distributors; to web and video design. We understand firsthand the positive effects of music in the world, and feel fortunate to be able to spread a message of music through our program.
About the artwork
Karen Cannon and Brent Hawley NAMM Show, Anaheim CA. Art Strings Publishing received a prestigious "Best of Show" award based on the impact Karen's art has on kids in music.
Response across the country has been overwhelming as people discover the unique Music Art of Karen Cannon. Known as “The Norman Rockwell of Music Art,” Karen’s artwork relays all the warmth and humor truly reminiscent of that legendary illustrator. Being an avid musician as well, Karen’s accuracy in the portrayal of instruments is a key factor in the popularity of her line among music enthusiasts and educators.
Now a broader focus, Karen hopes her art can help keep music alive in the schools. Our images speak to kids, telling them loud and clear, “It’s cool to be a musician!” And when they move on into their adult lives, we hope they’ll take that passion with them for a lifetime.
The Art Strings gift line offers useful, everyday items featuring Karen’s art. Musician or not, anyone can experience the sheer joy reflected in the images of this collection, making the products ideal for fundraising.
Brent Hawley is the perfect balance to his wife’s creative side. He brings years of sales experience and organization to the mix, and wears every hat except “artist” in the business.
Brent and Karen are both pro-level musicians. Brent plays nearly everything with strings on it — Karen plays fingerstyle chord melody guitar.
Karen is a self-taught artist. Her studio is located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Best In Show Award at NAMM 2006
Art Strings Publishing received the prestigious Best In Show award at the 2006 NAMM trade show. Formerly referred to as the National Association of Music Merchants, the NAMM show now entails an international association representing the interests of music product retailers, affiliates and manufacturers around the globe. The NAMM trade shows are some of the single largest gatherings of businesses, people, and products in the music industry every year.
At the end of each convention, a series of awards are given out by a panel of industry experts. The Best In Show award is given to the best product or service that panelists saw at NAMM. Art Strings is extremely proud to have received the Best In Show award for our gallery posters in 2006. The award was given by Ted Eischilman, co-owner of Dietze Music stores in Nebraska. His quote:
“My biggest challenge in running my stores is not the other music store down the street. It’s competing for time in kids lives. They are tugged at from so many directions: sports teams, social clubs, etc. Karen Cannon’s art work sends a message that it’s cool to be into music. I want to see her posters on the walls in every music room in every school across the nation.”
