Cremona Violin Exhibit
           American Bow Exhibit

     For four years, Huthmaker had the honor of hosting the Cremona (Italy) Violin Exhibit in our shop.  Each year, for two fantastic weeks, we had fifty-plus new violins, violas and 'celli on display from Cremona, Italy.  This exhibit traveled to four other shops across the United States.  To make our exhibit special, we added the American Bow Exhibit, inviting American bow makers to be a special part of this event.
     For each year, we also had Cremonese violin makers and American bow makers in residence.  From Cremona, we hosted Edgar Russ, Stephano Trabucci, Danielle Tonarelli, Georgio Grisales, Marco Nolli, Marco Pinncinoti and Mathijs Heyligers. 
     The first year, we had five violin makers and four bow makers in residence.  The makers were treated like rock stars.  Special lunches with the Mayor of Duluth, television appearances, Southern dinners, receptions and autograph sessions were part of their schedules.  They each took home a "key" to the city of Duluth.
      We are very honored to have a number of fine bow makers as our special friends.  They were our guests for the American Bow Exhibit.  Robert Ray of Olympia, Washington, Lynn Hannings of Portland, Maine, and Roger Treat of Vermont were some of the makers who joined us.
     What a great opportunity for musicians to meet so many makers and see their work!
     We had many events during the Cremona Exhibit such as Chamber Music Afternoons and the famous "Italian Taste Test."  On a Sunday afternoon, we invited guests to select their favorite violin and/or bow from the exhibit and we 'tested' them in performances.  Each guest gave a  score for the instruments and bows.  After the testing, we enjoyed Italian wines and treats.
      Numerous times, the Huthmakers have traveled to Cremona, Italy to visit our "makers" and pay homage to the legacy of Stradivari.  Each trip, we've been treated to superb Italian meals with our makers and visited in their shops.  When our hotel reservations disappeared during the Triannale, we slept in Mathijs Heyliger's workshop.
      If you have an opportunity to visit Cremona, call us before you leave and we can introduce you around town.