Voices Across the Canyon

William Eaton, Arizona Governor’s Arts Award winner will provide an intimate performance of his uniquely crafted guitars – harp guitar, synth guitar, lyre guitar, and more in a special presentation at Pueblo Grande Museum on Sunday, May 28.

Eaton, a multi-Grammy Award nominee, is internationally known for his one-of-a-kind stringed instruments, which he designs and builds. Eaton, who has crafted guitars for over 45 years, also operates the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix.

Eaton was one of the first artists to collaborate with Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai with their first recording for Canyon Records, Carry the Gift, released in 1988. Since then, Eaton and Nakai (they were joined by percussionist Will Clipman in 1994) have released an additional six albums of which four received Grammy nominations.

Eaton’s work with Nakai has been an important influence in the development of Native American music in demonstrating how a blending of cultures can lead to new artistic expressions for both cultures.

Eaton, who has lived three miles south of the Pueblo Grande Museum for over 30 years, will also discuss his regular explorations of the land and river course between his home and the museum and how those explorations and resulting meditations on the Hohokam have shaped his music and world view.

Voices Across the Canyon is an accompanying concert to the Pueblo Grande Museum exhibition One World, Many Voices: The Artistry of Canyon Records. This exhibition, which is included with regular Museum admission, features over 35 photographs of Canyon Records artists including William Eaton.

This special program is a fundraiser for the Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary, a charitable organization supporting the education, interpretation, and preservation efforts of the Museum. The program begins at 2 p.m. in the Pueblo Grande Museum Community Room. A dessert reception will be provided by Giuli Doyle.

Tickets for this event are $10 in advance or $12 the day of at the Museum; children under age 6 are free with a reserved ticket. Discounts for Museum members are available.