March 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Erika Yowell, LVCVA, eyowell@lvcva.com, (702) 892-7664
Lori Nelson, R&R Partners, lnelson@rrpartners.com, (702) 228-0222

LAS VEGAS CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATED WITH SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED LEROY NEIMAN OIL PAINTING

Artist To Appear At Debut Press Conference And Reception

LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), in partnership with the Las Vegas Centennial Committee, will debut the official oil painting of the LVCVA for the Las Vegas Centennial, by celebrated artist LeRoy Neiman, to the public for the first time at a press conference at the Fashion Show mall on Friday, April 1, 2005, at 11 a.m. From 6 to 8 p.m. that evening, in conjunction with First Friday in the Arts District, the public will have a chance to view the painting at a reception at downtown's Ice House Lounge. During the reception, a drawing will be held to award 25 winners with a poster reproduction of the painting. LVCVA President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter, City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, and Mr. Neiman are scheduled to be on hand during the press conference; Mr. Neiman is also scheduled to attend the reception.

Titled Celebrating 100 Years in Neon, the painting was commissioned by the LVCVA to commemorate the destination's Centennial year with a visual tribute conceived by an artist with a longstanding affinity for Las Vegas. Over the years, LeRoy Neiman has repeatedly chosen Las Vegas as his subject matter, depicting boxing matches, casino action and the city's signature entertainment in his paintings. His work hangs in several Las Vegas hotel-casinos, including the Golden Nugget and in the namesake LeRoy Neiman Suite at Paris Las Vegas.

"We couldn't be happier to have such a renowned artist associated with the Las Vegas Centennial," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO, LVCVA. "Like the destination itself, Mr. Neiman's art enjoys wide appeal. By incorporating Las Vegas icons such as the showgirl, Vegas Vic and classic hotel signage and representing them in vivid, neon color, his painting perfectly captures the essence of the most exciting city in the world."

LeRoy Neiman has been described as the most popular living painter in America. Probably best known as a portrayer of sporting and social events, he virtually invented the modern genre of sports art and remains its most accomplished and acclaimed practitioner. Among myriad accomplishments, he has covered several winter and summer Olympiads as an official artist. Neiman's work is represented in the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum, the Minneapolis Museum of Art, the Hermitage of St. Petersburg and numerous other museums, public and private collections worldwide.

Said Mr. Neiman about his selection as creator of the Centennial painting: "I've always been inspired by the energy of the people and places in Las Vegas. It is an honor to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration for one of my favorite cities in the world."

In honor of the painting's debut, the LVCVA is sponsoring April's First Friday in the Arts District. First Friday is an ongoing monthly arts, entertainment and social event that is held on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m. Located in the Las Vegas Arts District, the area centered around Charleston and Main Streets downtown, First Friday features visual and performing art of all kinds at its participating venues, which include art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and lounges. Each month, thousands of people attend First Friday in the Arts District and experience the diversity and growing sophistication of Las Vegas' cultural landscape firsthand. First Fridays are produced by the non-profit organization Whirlygig, Inc., with support from the City of Las Vegas.