October 19, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stacy Allsbrook, Las Vegas Centennial, 702-229-4733
Erica D. Johnson, R&R Partners, 702-318-4269 or 702.499.8862 (cellular)
Lori Nelson, R&R Partners, 702.318.4209 or 702.349.0625 (cellular)

Centennial launches City of 100 Murals program to leave lasting art legacy throughout Las Vegas Valley
- The Home Depot to donate more than $23,000 in supplies for the creation of murals -

Las Vegas, Nev. ‹ The Centennial committee today launched City of 100 Murals at Lied Discovery Children's Museum, an art and education project that will create more than 100 permanent and temporary murals throughout the community that reflect the history and culture of Las Vegas in celebration of its 100th birthday in 2005.

A partnership between the Centennial committee, the Clark County School District and public and private entities, the murals will be created at local public and private schools and a variety of other facilities in the Las Vegas Valley. Mural clusters will also be created in several neighborhoods, including the Las Vegas Arts District, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and West Las Vegas. Lied Discovery Children's Museum will house the project's first mural, which will celebrate diversity by depicting Spanish explorer Rafael Rivera's visit to Las Vegas in the early 1820s.

To help launch the program, a 24-hour mural will be designed with the help of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Clark County School District students and members of the community and media. Upon its completion, the 24-hour mural will travel to various community locations during the Centennial year.

"We are so proud that one of the largest, most significant public art initiatives in our community is part of the Centennial celebration," said Goodman, chairman of the Centennial committee. "What better way to commemorate our 100th birthday than to document our history with art and create a lasting legacy to the Centennial?"

As a community partner for the City of 100 Murals project, The Home Depot, which has ten stores and employs more than 1,500 associates in the Las Vegas area, announced it will donate more than $23,000 in supplies for the creation of the murals, a contribution of $230 per mural. Glidden and Behr paints will also donate products as part of The Home Depot contribution.

"The Home Depot is incredibly excited to join our neighbors in celebrating Las Vegas in such a special way," said Tim Pfeiffer, the company's regional vice president. "The City of 100 Murals project will stand as a lasting testament to the vibrancy of the Las Vegas community and we are proud to be a part of it."

The City of 100 Murals project is already beginning to take shape in the community, with 91 Clark County School District schools and 13 private schools signed on to house murals with themes ranging from the city's historical Helldorado Days rodeo to the Las Vegas Thunderbirds. Other facilities include the Laborers' International Union Local #872, which will house a mural depicting the history of labor in Las Vegas, and Las Vegas Premium Outlets, which will house a mural depicting Las Vegas-inspired hats.

The project is just one way the arts will play a major role in the Centennial celebration, which will kick off on New Year's Eve and continue throughout 2005. Other Centennial art initiatives include projects by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theater, Rainbow Company and the creation of various public art displays throughout the Valley.

"The arts historically have a tradition of capturing and chronicling the cultural events of a community," said Dale Erquiaga, Chairman of both the Las Vegas Arts Commission and the Centennial Cultural Working Group. "The 100 Murals program is a wonderful way to commemorate 100 years of Las Vegas and its history."

The Centennial is seeking artists interested in creating a mural and business or property owners willing to house a mural at their site. Murals can vary in size, be interior or exterior and range from painted, tiled or projected, as long as they reflect a Centennial theme. A permanent publication outlining self-guided tours of mural locations will also be published as part of the City of 100 Murals program.

A workshop will be held on Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 300 E. Charleston Blvd. for artists, property owners and community members interested in participating in the program. For more information on the Centennial or to download an application for the City of 100 Murals program, visit www.lasvegas2005.org or call 229-2005.

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