Artists and rock musicians unite for the Six String Masterpieces auction of hand painted electric guitars. A benefit to put music education back into public schools, the auction preview opens tomorrow night at La Luz de Jesus from 8:00 to 11:00 pm. The entire collection will be on view until May 17, when it moves to House of Blues for the auction results and a benefit concert.

The exhibit features over 60 electric guitars hand-painted, illustrated and sculpted by leading artists and musicians. The list of participants reads like a who's who in the rock and art worlds, including Mark Ryden, Shaun Barber, Ted Nugent, Dalek, Dave Grohl and Ryan McGinnes (photo, left). Online bidding continues until May 17, 6 pm PT.

Six String Masterpieces was conceived as a tribute to heavy metal guitarist Darrell Abbott, who was shot and killed onstage in 2004. The Dean Guitar Company provided blanks of the model ML, which Abbott had chosen as his signature guitar, as the "canvas" for each of these creations. All proceeds from the auction and the concert will benefit Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that gives free instruments and music lessons to public school children in need.