Julie Borden creates custom guitar for T. Boone Pickens

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas recently commissioned artist Julie Borden, owner of Juleez Gallery in Rehoboth Beach, to create a custom tribute guitar for Honorary Chair T. Boone Pickens. The guitar was presented to Pickens by Grammy-nominated "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" winner Trace Adkins at the 2013 Big Black Tie Ball held Nov. 9 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Trace Adkins had signed the one-of-a-kind guitar before the event, making this piece extra special for the honorary chair.

The hand-painted guitar was commissioned by Katrina Diggs, director of signature events for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in north Texas. "We wanted something very unique to honor Mr. Pickens for his extraordinary dedication and support of our organization, as well as to coordinate with our special guest performer of the evening, Trace Adkins. We thought a hand-painted guitar by Juleez was the perfect solution to honor both of these men for their outstanding contributions," Diggs said.

The T. Boone Pickens Tribute Guitar featured artwork on all four sides of the guitar, showcasing highlights of T. Boone Pickens' life and his extraordinary philanthropic commitments. In March, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas dedicated the T. Boone Pickens Mentoring Hall of Fame at its Irving headquarters, which was depicted on the front of the guitar.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, a volunteer organization that provides children support, guidance, friendship and fun by matching them to adult role models, is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the country. “Helping at-risk youth is an important part of the foundation’s mission,” Pickens says. “Big Brother Big Sisters perform an integral role in matching these youth with role models that can help them envision and build a future.”

Borden said, "I was truly honored to be commissioned to create a such a special piece for Big Brothers Big Sisters and to become part of the permanent archived collection for T. Boone Pickens. It's a wonderful program that truly helps so many children. I wish them many more years of success and excellence."

Juleez offers a variety of hand-painted instruments, fine art paintings, prints and home accents on display at the gallery in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Juleez instruments range from violins, cellos, guitars and trumpets to saxophones and more. Stop by the gallery to see the newest pieces or visit www.juleez.com.