%20select.JPG)
Download the arts>World Financial Center Press Kit
Mural Created by New York City Youth Under Guidance of Shepard Fairey to Debut at Arts World Financial Center, Sept. 28 – Oct. 17, 2010
September 1, 2010
Fall Season
For Immediate Release
For information and photos contact:
Brian Abrams, brian@pkpr.com
Patrick Kowalczyk, patrick@pkpr.com
PKPR, 212.627.8098
What: “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied,” the public debut of a mural series created by over 100 youth members of the CityKids Foundation under guidance of artist Shepard Fairey.
When: September 28 – October 17, 2010
Time: 12 - 4pm, daily
Phone: 212.945.0505
Web: www. ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com
Where: World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery
Presenter: Arts World Financial Center
Cost: FREE – No tickets or reservations required
Mural Created by New York City Youth Under Guidance of Shepard Fairey to Debut at Arts World Financial Center, Sept. 28 – Oct. 17, 2010
The CityKids Foundation unveils “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied” mural, addressing education, the environment, youth violence and social justice
www.ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com
New York, NY (September 1, 2010) –Renowned artist Shepard Fairey guided more than 100 young New Yorkers in creating a powerful 40-foot long mural that will make its public debut in an exhibit presented by Arts World Financial Center next month.
From September 28th to October 17th, the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery will host the premiere of “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied,” a mural expressing the youths’ perspectives on teen violence, the environment, education and other issues relating to social justice. The mural will be displayed in a series of 8 x 11 foot panels throughout the gallery.
Under the guidance of Fairey, the youths created the mural last spring as part of a program sponsored by the CityKids Foundation, a non-profit that brings together hundreds of kids and teens from a variety of local communities. Committed to the belief that the collective power of young people can change the world, the CityKids Foundation challenges members to express their views and promote social transformation through performances, workshops and mass media productions.
Participants were encouraged to build on Fairey’s own street art aesthetic using some of Fairey’s iconic images. Fairey, who began his career as a graffiti artist, first gained notoriety for a viral sticker campaign entitled “Andre the Giant Has a Posse.” He is now one of the most celebrated graphic designers and illustrators in the world. His work has been featured in collections at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
“Art is one of the most powerful ways for young people to make their voices heard on issues affecting their lives,” said Fairey. “Working with such talented youths has been an honor and a revelation, and I’m proud to be part of a project that shines a much-deserved spotlight on these creative, outspoken and insightful kids.”
“With its themes of tolerance and social justice, this exhibit brings a fresh perspective to the city’s cultural and political discourse,” said Debra Simon, Artistic Director of Arts World Financial Center. “The mural is also a graphically arresting piece of art in its own right, and it’s exciting to introduce the work of these young artists and their mentor to a wider audience.”
The exhibit runs from September 28th through October 17th, 2010 and will be on view each day from noon to 4pm in the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery.
About Arts World Financial Center
Now in its 22nd season, Arts World Financial Center is the East Coast’s largest presenter of free, year-round performing and visual arts. Other fall season highlights include Canstruction, an annual competition that challenges architects to design and build giant sculptures made of full cans of food, which are later donated to charity; the Mountain Stage Newsong Contest, which showcases the year’s best up-and-coming singer-songwriters; and Monk at 93, an evening of music celebrating the jazz pianist Thelonius Monk. A leading showcase for visual and performing arts, the artistic process is made accessible in a free, open and interactive manner to workers, residents and the broader public of cultural consumers.
About The CityKids Foundation
For more than 20 years, The CityKids Foundation has developed and operated innovative and successful programs that engage young people, support their development as individuals and citizens, and partner with them to create change in their own lives, their communities and the world. CityKids offers leadership training workshops and courses, original live musical and
theatrical performances, community improvement projects, community-based workshops, leadership conferences and youth-directed and facilitated dialogue sessions. All CityKids programs are youth-driven – created for youth by youth – to ensure they reflect the real needs, ideas, and visions of youth. For more information, visit www.citykids.com
# # #
September 1, 2010
Fall Season
For Immediate Release
For information and photos contact:
Brian Abrams, brian@pkpr.com
Patrick Kowalczyk, patrick@pkpr.com
PKPR, 212.627.8098
What: “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied,” the public debut of a mural series created by over 100 youth members of the CityKids Foundation under guidance of artist Shepard Fairey.
When: September 28 – October 17, 2010
Time: 12 - 4pm, daily
Phone: 212.945.0505
Web: www. ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com
Where: World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery
Presenter: Arts World Financial Center
Cost: FREE – No tickets or reservations required
Mural Created by New York City Youth Under Guidance of Shepard Fairey to Debut at Arts World Financial Center, Sept. 28 – Oct. 17, 2010
The CityKids Foundation unveils “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied” mural, addressing education, the environment, youth violence and social justice
www.ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com
New York, NY (September 1, 2010) –Renowned artist Shepard Fairey guided more than 100 young New Yorkers in creating a powerful 40-foot long mural that will make its public debut in an exhibit presented by Arts World Financial Center next month.
From September 28th to October 17th, the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery will host the premiere of “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied,” a mural expressing the youths’ perspectives on teen violence, the environment, education and other issues relating to social justice. The mural will be displayed in a series of 8 x 11 foot panels throughout the gallery.
Under the guidance of Fairey, the youths created the mural last spring as part of a program sponsored by the CityKids Foundation, a non-profit that brings together hundreds of kids and teens from a variety of local communities. Committed to the belief that the collective power of young people can change the world, the CityKids Foundation challenges members to express their views and promote social transformation through performances, workshops and mass media productions.
Participants were encouraged to build on Fairey’s own street art aesthetic using some of Fairey’s iconic images. Fairey, who began his career as a graffiti artist, first gained notoriety for a viral sticker campaign entitled “Andre the Giant Has a Posse.” He is now one of the most celebrated graphic designers and illustrators in the world. His work has been featured in collections at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
“Art is one of the most powerful ways for young people to make their voices heard on issues affecting their lives,” said Fairey. “Working with such talented youths has been an honor and a revelation, and I’m proud to be part of a project that shines a much-deserved spotlight on these creative, outspoken and insightful kids.”
“With its themes of tolerance and social justice, this exhibit brings a fresh perspective to the city’s cultural and political discourse,” said Debra Simon, Artistic Director of Arts World Financial Center. “The mural is also a graphically arresting piece of art in its own right, and it’s exciting to introduce the work of these young artists and their mentor to a wider audience.”
The exhibit runs from September 28th through October 17th, 2010 and will be on view each day from noon to 4pm in the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery.
About Arts World Financial Center
Now in its 22nd season, Arts World Financial Center is the East Coast’s largest presenter of free, year-round performing and visual arts. Other fall season highlights include Canstruction, an annual competition that challenges architects to design and build giant sculptures made of full cans of food, which are later donated to charity; the Mountain Stage Newsong Contest, which showcases the year’s best up-and-coming singer-songwriters; and Monk at 93, an evening of music celebrating the jazz pianist Thelonius Monk. A leading showcase for visual and performing arts, the artistic process is made accessible in a free, open and interactive manner to workers, residents and the broader public of cultural consumers.
About The CityKids Foundation
For more than 20 years, The CityKids Foundation has developed and operated innovative and successful programs that engage young people, support their development as individuals and citizens, and partner with them to create change in their own lives, their communities and the world. CityKids offers leadership training workshops and courses, original live musical and
theatrical performances, community improvement projects, community-based workshops, leadership conferences and youth-directed and facilitated dialogue sessions. All CityKids programs are youth-driven – created for youth by youth – to ensure they reflect the real needs, ideas, and visions of youth. For more information, visit www.citykids.com
# # #
© 2009 World Financial Center.
Disclaimer