Following the Beat of a Different Drummer
Instrument maker's work are beautiful to both the eye and the ear

Artist Chad Schott of Shelbyville could more accurately be called an inventor – although his creations are certainly beautiful to the eye and ear. That’s because many of his artistic creations are his own interpretation of old instruments. While vividly colored and wonderfully textured, Schott’s creations are also fully functional as drums and pipes and various other musical instruments.

The path that led Schott to this unique artistic career began at Murray State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in studio art in 1997. His personal artistic style was heavily influenced by classes in ceramics, wood sculpting, painting and drawing. The skills he learned then still provide the basis for his work today. After graduation, he also learned the techniques of glass blowing and sand cast molding.

While following a traditional student path, Schott would also learn something very important during his college days – the fact he is not a traditional artist. The form that his art would take arose from a very practical reason during those same college days. He enjoyed hanging out with some new friends who drummed and played various musical instruments. Schott wanted to jam with his new friends, but there was just one problem – he couldn’t afford to buy any instruments and so he did what any resourceful artist would do.

“I created my own out of hollow logs and bamboo,” he says. “Learning from many instructors, I was able to combine new skills to re-invent old instruments. One thing led to another, and pretty soon, everyone who saw my hand-crafted instruments wanted one for themselves or as a gift for someone else.”

And the rest is artistic history. Today, Schott works out of his own studio in Shelbyville and markets his work through various state, regional and national festivals as well as through his web site at http://www.drumzrguruven.com. He is also a member of the Kentucky Crafted Program and the Kentucky Gourd Society. He regularly attends the Prospect Arts Fair and the Gourd Festival in Taylorsville where he also teaches a workshop.

He makes a variety of handmade “tribal” instruments such as doumbeks, didjiridoos, ceramic and gourd drums, pottery and wood tone boxes, and rainsticks. If you have ever wanted a three-headed ceramic drum, but just didn’t know where you could find one – then you’ll definitely want to find out more about Schott’s creations.

“I enjoy creating the instruments, playing them, and being able to share them,” he says. “I am drawn to this art form because of its interactive qualities. It combines sound, touch, vision and a communal experience.”

In fact, the word “experience” may well sum up Schott’s artwork, because his instruments are more than music-makers. They are also objects of beauty that can be appreciated by the eye as well as for the music they create. That may well be the secret to their broad appeal. Although his original audience started with college students, Schott has found that people of all ages are interested in his unique art form. “I see anybody from age three to 103 as my audience.”

Because his instruments are made using such a variety of art forms and materials, Schott’s Shelbyville studio is more of a complex than a single central location. While there is a central building that he calls his “studio,” he conducts his bamboo and gourd work in a collection of outbuildings; creates his ceramics in a basement studio that contains a pottery wheel, glazing bench, gas kiln, and two electric kilns; and finally stores his inventory in a barn. However, the studio complex serves as home base for his business, Drumzrguruven, as well as his other artistic passions which include watercolor, photography, and fine pottery.

And while his college interest in music fueled his artistic revolution and the creation of his instrument-making business, Schott hasn’t forgotten where it all started. He still enjoys getting together with his musical friends to play – but just for fun.
 

Deanna Mascle is a staff writer for The Lane Report.
editorial@lanereport.com

Back to Spotlight on the Arts Index

Back to January Issue

Copyright 1996-2001, by Kentucky Business Online, LLC.  All rights reserved.

Editorial content is copyright 2001, Lane Communications Group
All editorial materials is fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without prior permission. 

Buzzword and the Buzzword balloon are registered trademarks of Buzzword, Inc.  The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.