- The series of 16 paintings of actress Salma Hayek were created by
'Desperado' director Robert Rodriguez and famous Mexican American
muralist George Yepes.
- Mercury will be the exclusive sponsor for the 'Solamente Salma' art
series exhibition.
- The exhibition will be on display at the Blue Star Contemporary Art
Center in San Antonio, TX, from April 7 until June 18, 2006.
SAN ANTONIO, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company's Mercury brand
has signed on to sponsor "Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma," a series of actress
Salma Hayek paintings by renowned film director Robert Rodriguez and
accomplished muralist George Yepes. The exhibition features 16 acrylic on
canvas paintings, each eight by five feet in size and will be on display at
the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Texas, from April 7
until June 18, 2006.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060404/NYTU081 )
The sponsorship of the "Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma" art series
exhibition reflects Mercury's ongoing commitment to supporting art and fashion
community events, while invigorating its brand with the launch of several new
vehicles including the 2006 Mercury Milan and 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV.
The sophisticated and stylish designs of these vehicles communicate Mercury's
branding message and invitation to art enthusiasts, "Much to Discover."
"Sponsoring 'Solamente Salma' is another step in our efforts to build
relationships with the cultured and style-savvy consumers who appreciate this
exclusive art and distinctive vehicles like the Mercury Milan and Mariner,"
said Dave Rodriguez, multicultural marketing manager for Mercury. "We are
excited for this opportunity to support these amazing artists and their
exhibition at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, while strengthening our
connection with the multicultural market in San Antonio."
Born and raised in San Antonio, Robert Rodriguez has directed such movies
as "Desperado" (1995), "From Dusk Till Dawn" (1996), "Spy Kids" (2001) and
"Sin City" (2004), and is best known for making profitable, crowd-pleasing
films on fairly low budgets and fast schedules. Rodriguez gave Hayek her big
break to star opposite of Antonio Banderas in the now cult classic Desperado,
and she went on to star in his films "From Dusk Till Dawn," "The Faculty"
(1998), "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" (2003) and "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over"
(2003).
George Yepes was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in East Los Angeles,
and is known as prolific artist from L.A.'s Chicano art community who rose
above poverty and gang violence to become one of the most recognized modern
Mexican painters and muralists. Yepes has painted eloquent social, historical
and sacred images on everything from churches and hospitals to freeway
overpasses and album covers. His work is studied by scholars across the U.S.
Hayek was the subject of Yepes's "Lady of the Butterflies" and "Once Upon a
Time in Mexico" series that appeared in Rodriguez's movie of the same name.
Though Rodriguez and Yepes have been friends for several years, the "Terra
Nostra: Solamente Salma" art series marks the premier exhibition of their
work together as painters.
"Both of these men are amazing artists in his own rite, and together they
are a force to be reckoned with, so with that said we look forward to
unveiling the 'Solamente Salma' exhibition," said Bill FitzGibbons, executive
director of the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. "We want to thank Mercury
for supporting the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center and the San Antonio art
community in general."
The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday
from noon until 6:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each
painting will go to two of Hayek's favorite charities. There is a suggested
$2 donation to enter the gallery. For more information on the "Terra Nostra:
Solamente Salma" art series exhibition please call 210-227-6960.
About Mercury
Mercury is a brand of the Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry
leader based in Dearborn, Mich., which manufactures and distributes
automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 328,000
employees worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Aston Martin,
Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo.
Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz.
Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003. For
more information visit http://www.mercuryvehicles.com.
About Salma Hayek
One of Hollywood's most dazzling leading actresses, Salma Hayek was born
in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. In the late 1980's she stared in the hit soap opera
"Teresa" and quickly became a star in her native country, eventually making
her way to Hollywood in 1991. Rodriguez gave Hayek her big break to star
opposite of Antonio Banderas in the now cult classic "Desperado" (1995), which
put her on Hollywood's map. Since then, Hayek has stared in many box office
hits including "Fools Rush In" (1997), "Wild Wild West" (1999) and "Frida"
(2002) to name a few. After years of hard work and hit films, Hayek is now a
Hollywood A-list actress and leading Latina.
Blue Star Contemporary Art Center
Blue Star Contemporary Art Center is a non-profit, non-collecting
contemporary art center in San Antonio, Texas that advances the growth and
understanding of contemporary art, artists and the curatorial process. Through
exhibitions and a variety of programs, Blue Star is an active participant in
the development of regional, national and international contemporary art and
provides a lively forum for the visual arts dialogue. For more information
visit http://www.bluestarartspace.org.
SOURCE Mercury
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060404/NYTU081
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Related links:
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com
http://www.bluestarartspace.org
CONTACT:
Eddy Davis of Conexion PR, +1-305-913-2416,
eddy@prconexion.com; or Alvaro Cabal, Public Affairs, Ford &
Mercury, +1-972-334-1875, acabal@ford.com
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