Longtime Virginia-Highland framer Scott Engel, owner of Artistic Designs Gallery & Framing, recently got an up close and personal encounter with rock band Kings of Leon.

The band’s guitar tech, Atlanta resident Jay Schleusener, brought pieces of a guitar that Kings of Leon bassist Jared Followill had smashed onstage during a concert in Australia. Engel artfully mounted and framed the guitar and presented Jared with his framed guitar at Philips Arena when the band was here in October for a sold out show.

The band was so impressed with the work, that lead guitarist/vocalist Matthew Followill asked Engel to frame a guitar he smashed at a concert in England.

“We got to hang out with the band and go to the show. It was a blast,” Engel said. “They really are the biggest band in the country right now.”

Engel has been framing challenging objects for more than 20 years, including kimonos, shovels from groundbreakings as well as more conventional art for the home. For more about Artistic Designs, visit www.framewise.com.

– Collin Kelley