PRESS

Contacts: Natalie Rekstad-Lynn Founder, Salon d' Arts (303) 494-0180 rekstad-lynn@comcast.net

Morgan Johnston Public Relations (720) 938-8818 morganlynn@airpost.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER (March 23, 2006) - Salon d'Arts fifth anniversary exhibition, Salon 06, announces the introduction of nonobjective artwork to its celebrated collection of representational art.

The exhibition runs from June 10 through June 29, 2006 at the Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway, Denver.

"The addition of nonobjective artwork is an exciting development for Salon. This progression is similar to the way many art enthusiasts' tastes evolve into appreciating avant-garde genres, not just traditional works. The exhibition will allow the viewer an opportunity to discover and enjoy a broad spectrum of painting and sculpture. We believe this collection will attract both the beginning art enthusiast and the sophisticated collector from Denver and beyond," explained Salon d'Arts founder Natalie Rekstad-Lynn.

Dedicated to spotlighting Colorado as a world-class fine arts destination, nonprofit Salon d'Arts produces an annual fine art exhibition that provides the public with a rare opportunity to view artwork by several of the world's most noteworthy living artists. Salon's exhibition is modeled after European art salons of the late nineteenth century and serves as a public forum promoting the exchange of ideas between artists and viewers.

Salon d'Arts is also a fundraising enterprise for another non-profit, Colorado UpLIFT, whose mission is serving Denver's inner-city youth. All artwork in the exhibition is available to purchase for the first time at Salon's gala on Saturday, June 17, 2006. Net proceeds from ticket sales, artwork and sponsorships will benefit Colorado UpLIFT.

The 2006 exhibition features over forty artists and is valued at $1M with over 120 paintings and sculptures ranging in subject matter from representational figure, landscape and still life to abstract and postmodern. The majority of Salon artists are held in museum collections across the U.S., including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, National Portrait Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Denver Art Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art. 2006 Participating artists include:

Carolyn Anderson Michael Bergt Gordon Brown Gregory Calibey Dennis Campay Lu Cong Peter Cox Molly Davis Paul H. Davis Joellyn Duesberry John Felsing Alyce Frank Scott Fraser Makoto Fujimura Daniel E. Greene

Albert Handell Glenn Harrington Ron Hicks Quang Ho Sabin Howard Steve Huston Robert C. Jackson Geoffrey Johnson Morton Kaish Jeffrey Keith Emilio Lobato Malcolm T. Liepke Dan McCaw John McCaw Philip Maior

Paul Mullally Dean Mitchell Elliot Offner Ron Richmond Laura Robb Ben Schonzeit Burton Silverman Daniel Sprick Bill Starke Judith Stewart Nancy Switzer Kevin Weckbach Mary Whyte Mark Zunino

Salon d'Arts attracts a large following of collectors from outside of Colorado; an estimated 30 percent of exhibition and gala attendance is out-of-state visitors.

The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge during the Colorado History Museum's normal business hours. At the heart of Salon's mission is public outreach: drawing visitors from all walks of life. Salon offers a broad range of activities including hands-on art projects, child-friendly tours and scavenger hunts for children and interactive tours for adults. In 2005, Salon d'Arts served 1,500 school-aged children (K-12), as well as at-risk youth, visually impaired, physically disabled, seniors, and the Spanish-speaking population through bilingual programs.

Salon 06 features painting demonstrations, seminars, and panel discussions presented by artists and guest speakers from the fine art community. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to hear firsthand the artists' vision, inspiration, and struggles. All activities are free and open to the public and attracted more than 1,000 adults in 2005.

This year, Salon d'Arts staff is collaborating with UpLIFT to create summer programming to further support its mission. Junior high and high school children, who are recipients of UpLIFT support, will serve as role models for younger children from their communities by helping with Salon's community outreach programming during the run of the exhibition.

Salon's gala and artwork sale will be held at the Salon Gallery located at the Colorado History Museum on the evening of June 17. The benefactor dinner for sponsors and patrons will be held at Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House preceding the gala. Tickets are limited: $165 for regular tickets and $500 for patron tickets including VIP events. Attendees will be able to purchase art for a fixed, fair market value price ranging from $500 up to $200,000, via a lottery system.

On June 7, 2006 Salon d'Arts will host a special fundraiser, Le Jeune Salon, to benefit the Denver Art Museum. Le Jeune Salon, is a separate exhibition than runs prior to the Salon 06 exhibition and is designed to cultivate arts patrons of the future by targeting young professionals and is expected to generate $40,000 to help fund Denver Art Museum's ambitious expansion project. The works in the exhibition, curated by Ann Benson Reidy, will be available for purchase and priced under $2,500. Tickets are $45 per person. Patron tickets are $100 and include a preview reception at the curator's home.

Salon d'Arts

Salon d' Arts is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2001 by Natalie Rekstad-Lynn. Its goals are to promote artistic integrity and education via fine visual and performing arts; to enhance the community's economic and cultural development through funding to Colorado-based non-profits; and to strengthen Colorado's presence as a national cultural destination. Salon d'Arts is not affiliated with the Colorado History Museum. For more information including ticket reservations, contact Natalie Rekstad-Lynn at (303) 494-0180 or rekstad-lynn@comcast.net. Or, visit the Salon d' Arts web site at www.salon-d-arts.org.