Ava Wonsitler is a junior at THS this year, and by taking journalism, she hopes to inform students of upcoming events such as school events, fundraisers, and college opportunities, as well as topics of interest. After graduating, she plans to go to college to become a veterinarian and to volunteer regularly at an animal shelter. In her spare time, she enjoys doing anything involving art and listening to music.
Torrington High School students are taking their craftsmanship beyond the classroom this spring as their work prepares to take center stage at A Mano Gallery in a new exhibition titled The Art of the Guitar.
The project begins in the school’s wood shop, where students in the Applied STEM class spend months building fully playable electric guitars by hand. The Applied STEM class has been enjoyed by many students, but has never been shown to the rest of the community in a way that it will be this year. Under the guidance of teacher Jared Sheikh, students learn not just technical skills, but patience, problem-solving, and precision. Over time, raw materials are transformed into finished instruments.
On May 29 at 6 p.m., A Mano Gallery will host The Art of the Guitar, showcasing more than 30 handmade guitars created by THS students alongside contributions from local artists. The event will also feature live music, food and drinks, and an art guitar raffle.
“This shines a light on how our school embraces not only academics and athletics, but also creativity and trade skills,” Sheikh said, encouraging community members to attend and support the students’ work.
What sets this project apart is what happens after the guitars are built.
Students move beyond construction into artistic transformation, exploring the guitar as more than an instrument, but also as a canvas, a sculptural form, and a means of expression. Using paint, texture, and experimental techniques, they create “Art Guitars” that reflect their individual perspectives. Some remain playable, while others evolve into purely artistic pieces.
The collaboration extends even further into the Torrington community. Local artists have joined the project, working with donated guitars and cases. Some reimagine the instruments themselves, while others treat the cases as standalone art objects. The result is a diverse collection of works that blur the line between function and form.
These artist-created pieces will be raffled during the exhibition, with proceeds supporting future collaborations between the high school, local artists, and A Mano Gallery.
In the coming weeks, students and organizers plan to share more of the process, from initial builds to final transformations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work and the people behind it.