Seven pianos that were part of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art’s 2012 summer sensation called "Play Me, I’m Yours" in downtown Salt Lake City will be donated to Legacy Music Alliance for eventual adoption into school programs around the state, it was announced today.
Gaylen Rust, president and founder of Legacy Music Alliance, said the pianos will be tuned and refurbished so they are in good working order before being distributed to schools. He said in a press release: "We are delighted to receive the 'Play Me, I’m Yours' pianos and give them a new life. These pianos are more than just instruments. They represent the good that happens when a community works together to bring the arts into our everyday lives. We look forward to placing them in schools that need them."
All of the Play Me, I’m Yours pianos were individually painted by local artists as part of the community initiative and Rust pledged to keep the artwork intact.
For two weeks during June, 2012, 10 pianos in the 'Play Me, I’m Yours' exhibition were placed in locations around Salt Lake City with the invitation for anyone – musicians, rank amateurs, and the musically untrained of every age – to play them.
Among the artists who performed on the sidewalk pianos were Utah pianist Paul Cardall. students from around Salt Lake City, and the 5 Browns.
Utah leads the nation, per capita, in piano ownership.
The museum is located at 20 S. West Temple; open Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Admission is free.
