The Luthier's Tale

A good chisel holds an edge. A great luthier knows exactly where it belongs…

2026 marks 30 years of the Ards International Guitar Festival, and with this exhibition we take you back to where it all began in 1996. The festival was inspired by the presence of exceptional guitar makers in Newtownards – originally Lowden Guitars and, more recently, Avalon Guitars.

The Luthier’s Tale is a journey through the craft of guitar making, told from the maker’s point of view. From understanding the wood, moulding the body, and creating intricate inlays to the high-end finishing of a guitar of Avalon’s calibre.

See firsthand the artistry behind this much-loved instrument and the skilled trade of the luthier.