Naples native Tyler Macdonald turned his passion of photography into art after spending the last decade traveling the world. Macdonald participated in his first professional outdoor art festival at only 15 years old and since then, he has participated in almost 200 festivals across the country winning awards regularly.
Today, Tyler has added guitar-maker to his repertoire of artistic abilities, and has stayed busy this past year manufacturing one-of-a-kind, handmade guitars inside his Naples shop. Starting with only sketches then moving to the actual carvings of the wood, Tyler is involved with every part of the guitar’s construction including hand-selecting raw lumber sourced from different parts of the world.
“I consider components such as tone and visual design when selecting my materials,” says Macdonald. “I strive to source the most sustainable and practical woods that will be turned into a lifelong instrument.”
Tyler uses uncomplicated and simple power tools for portions of the rough beginnings and finishes the final pieces by hand from shaping the neck and body to inlaying the fret board and lacing up the strings.
“My hope is that each and every one of these instruments finds a home, whether it is a young musician starting out, a musician touring with a band, or a guitar collector,” Macdonald explains. “The idea that my work will be used to create music brings me such happiness, and that to me is what being an artist is all about.”
Tyler Macdonald will be displaying and selling his work at the Art Festival at University Village Shops on Saturday, Dec. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. alongside dozens of the nation’s finest artists.
Conveniently located on Ben Hill Griffin and near Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, University Village Shops offers well-known restaurants, fitness and personal grooming services and retail right in the heart of Southwest Florida. University Village is at 19800 Village Center Drive, Fort Myers.
Created by award-winning Miromar Development, University Village ushers in a new era of entertainment and social lifestyle with stunning Santa Barbara-inspired architecture and inviting gathering spaces – promenades and patios with colorful flowers and bougainvillea-laced trellises and a central plaza with a main courtyard overlooking the signature fountain and 10-acre lake.
For more information, visit universityvillagefl.com or call (239) 390-7717.
