Potter Violins Restores Iconic Building in Takoma Park

Potter Violins (@PottersViolins), the largest purveyor of fine stringed instruments in the Mid-Atlantic region, will be celebrating its move to Takoma Park’s historically significant Blair Mansion with a two-week grand opening festival of events, beginning on May 15. Owners Dalton Potter and Jim Kelly purchased the property two years ago and have since completely restored the building, a longtime Washington D.C. area landmark which is estimated to be 135 years old.

“We are so excited about beginning an exciting new chapter in the rich history of our company, by acquiring and now restoring to all its grandeur the local treasure that is the Blair Mansion, “said Dalton Potter. “Restoration is one of our passions and a core value of our work as luthiers and it’s exciting to extend that passion to the restoration of our spectacular new home.”

The grand opening festivities will also help to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Potter Violins, although their roots as luthiers in the stringed instrument industry trace back at least century. As part of the celebration and the move from Bethesda to the new Takoma Park location, the company has also launched a rebrand with a new visual identity and will now be known simply as Potter Violins.

As part of the grand opening festivities, Potter Violins will celebrate the world renowned luthiers of Montpellier, France: Frederic Chaudière, Nicolas Gilles, Yann Poulain and Baptiste Jugera. These makers from the Montpellier Consortium, as well as their instruments, will be featured at the shop. The luthiers will discuss their work during lectures throughout their two-week visit. In addition, the finest D.C. Metropolitan Area musicians will perform on the instruments made by the Montpellier Consortium luthiers in the on-site recital hall throughout the festival.

Potter Violins’ schedule of grand opening events includes:

· May 15 at 3 p.m. – Preconcert lecture with Montpellier France Luthiers

· May 15 at 6 p.m. – Opening party and recital

· May 28 at 7 p.m. – Final recital and reception

Visit classicalmusicconcert.org/events for a list of Potter Violins’ grand opening events.

The Montpellier Consortium Exhibition will run from May 15 through May 28, during which time guests will be able to tour the facility during store hours or by private appointment during off hours.

Potter Violins will continue providing the finest violins, violas and cellos for players of all levels at the new location. In addition, there will be an even greater selection of fine and rare French and Italian instruments and bows. Modern instruments from both the Montpellier and Cremona Consortiums will also be featured, as well as a wide selection of sheet music, accessories and cases. The store also includes a recital hall and luthiers workshop. Exceptional rental instruments will also be available at the new location. For more information, visit www.pottersviolins.com. Email to: mailus@pottersviolins.com or call 301-652-7070.

About Potter Violins

Potter Violins is the largest purveyor of fine stringed instruments in the Mid-Atlantic region. Founded in 1996, it is among the most comprehensive shops of its kind in the country, specializing in sales, rentals, and repairs of bowed stringed instruments. Potter Violins also offers a wide variety of popular accessories and sheet music. The company takes pride in its professional staff, several of which are working musicians who perform with the most prestigious musical organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. The Potter team’s passion for high-quality customer service stems from personal knowledge, expertise and experience. For more information about Potter Violins, visit www.pottersviolins.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@PottersViolins)