2nd Annual Artexpo Las Vegas to Open September 18, 6-9PM, With a Gala Fundraiser...

2nd Annual Artexpo Las Vegas to Open September 18, 6-9PM, With a Gala
Fundraiser and Trade-Only Preview at Mandalay Bay to Benefit Sunrise
Children's Foundation
OPEN TO THE TRADE AND PUBLIC, AELV - SISTER SHOW TO ARTEXPO NEW YORK - RUNS
SEPT. 19-21, FEATURING ART FROM 300+ EXHIBITORS WORLDWIDE; FAMED MARINE LIFE
ARTIST WYLAND WILL DO LIVE PAINTING EVENTS EACH DAY; CRAIG KAUSEN OF LINDA
JONES ENTERPRISES IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2nd Annual Artexpo Las Vegas (AELV)
returns to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino this September, opening Thursday,
September 18 with a gala fundraiser taking place 6-9PM. Requiring a separate
ticket from the three-day show opening the following day, the benefit event
encompasses a trade-only preview of artworks from more than 300 exhibitors
from over 20 countries worldwide. Proceeds will benefit the Las Vegas-based,
non-profit Sunrise Children's Foundation (SCF)
(http://www.sunrisechildren.org).
Following the benefit night kick-off, AELV 2008 runs September 19-21, with
highlights including a keynote address from Craig Kausen, President of Linda
Jones Enterprises (LJE), home to the art of legendary film director and
creator Chuck Jones -- Kausen's grandfather -- and a select group of artists
also represented by LJE. World-renowned marine life artist and muralist
extraordinaire Wyland will stage a live painting event each day of the show's
run, creating a large format piece in the center court of AELV daily. San
Diego-based contemporary realist painter Christopher M. (represented by Crown
Thorn Publishing), acclaimed for his vibrant "Culinary Collection," has been
selected to create the official AELV 2008 poster.
Founded in 1993, SCF's mission is, "Helping children fulfill their
potential of safe, healthy and educated lives." Offering 12 programs
throughout Southern Nevada with an emphasis on pediatric health and education,
the organization serves over 200,000 people annually, at least 50% of them low
income, minority and/or limited-English proficient. Key initiatives include:
Baby? Think It Over!!, advocating teen pregnancy prevention; HIPPY, "Home
Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters;" Be Bright, Don't Light, an
anti-smoking program for middle & high schools; and SCF's Education Health
Center at Agassi Academy, enhancing education potential through wellness and
the resolution of health concerns.
SCF's Vice President and Executive Office Administrator Virginia Stiles
said, "We started fifteen years ago without even a paperclip to our name.
Today, SCF employs over 100 people, and we are able to touch the lives of so
many children and families throughout Southern Nevada. We're honored and
grateful to be receiving this support from AELV, and to be part of this
exciting event, which will allow us to reach more children and young people
who need our help."
AELV -- which is open to the trade and to the public -- is produced by The
Art Group, the #1 worldwide producer of art shows and art-related
publications, including Artexpo New York and Art Miami. The Art Group launched
AELV in the image of sister show Artexpo New York (AENY), which was
established in 1978 and became the NYC's #1 art market in its second year. The
30th anniversary AENY 2008, which also marked the launch of the Artexpo Hall
of Fame, drew over 30,000 visitors.
Like AENY, AELV primarily spotlights nationally and internationally
renowned artists and the galleries and publishers representing them, with an
emphasis on original paintings, sculptures and limited edition prints.
Attendees will find something for every taste, with pieces by artists ranging
from the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood to Dutch master Rembrandt, as well as
Wyland, Christopher M., Romero Britto, Andy Warhol and Anne Packard, among
many others. The show also includes: the new SOLO section, highlighting
emerging and independent artists; the EXPOSURE section, featuring photographic
images by legends and newcomers; and the AmericanStyle-sponsored Decorative
Arts & Design Pavilion.
Over 3,000 trade buyers and more than 7,000 individual consumers and
collectors are expected to attend AELV, which runs: Friday, September 19
12noon-6PM
Saturday, September 20 11AM-6PM
Sunday, September 21 11AM-5PM

For more information, log on to http://www.artexpos.com

SOURCE Artexpo Las Vegas

Meghan Helsel, +1-626-585-9575, meghan@jensencom.com, for Artexpo Las Vegas