FREE ARTS NYC ANNOUNCES PORTRAITS & POLAROIDS Free Arts NYC’s 8TH Annual Art & Photography Auction, Monday April 23rd 2007

New York, NY – Free Arts NYC is pleased to announce its 8th Annual Art Auction Benefit, Portraits & Polaroids, sponsored by Dior and Vanity Fair, which will take place on Monday, April 23rd at Milk Gallery, located at 450 West 15th Street in New York City.

Scarlett Johansson and Liv Tyler will serve as event hosts, joining Free Arts NYC board members and event co-chairs Amy Sacco and Mary Alice Stephenson. This year’s auctioneer is Phillips de Pury Chairman Simon de Pury, also a Free Arts NYC board member.

For the fifth consecutive year, this live auction will present unique, large-scale 20” x 24” Polaroid prints, created specifically for Free Arts NYC by leading contemporary artists. Individuals who are unable to attend the auction but would like to participate can view the full catalog online beginning on April 16th at www.liveauctioneers.com, and bid live during the event on April 23rd. The benefit will also feature a silent auction of approximately 50 artworks based on the theme of “The Portrait” in the broadest and most contemporary sense. Portraits may be realist or surrealist, representational or abstract, traditional or conceptual. Phillips de Pury specialists will mount the exhibition, which is a Milk Gallery project. Of the auction, De Pury notes “I am thrilled to be able to combine two of my passions in this event: working with outstanding art and raising funds for this important organizations –- Free Arts NYC”. Participating artists include, Donald Baechler, Jeremy Blake, Chris Burden, Adam Fuss, Alex Katz, Barbara Kruger, Christopher Wool, Chuck Close, Tom Friedman, Catherine Opie, Philip Taaffe, and Tom Sachs among others. Cocktails for the evening will be provided courtesy of Pravda Vodka.

In 2006, the event raised over $555,000. All proceeds directly support Free Arts NYC programs, bringing art and creative activities to abused and underprivileged children in New York City. To date, Free Arts NYC has provided over 20,000 children with positive artistic experiences, who have been encouraged to explore their talents and creativity while building self-esteem. Free Arts NYC partners with more than 35 social services agencies in New York City, including those working with the homeless, victims of domestic violence, foster children, and persons with HIV/AIDS. Budgetary cuts in New York City have made creative and arts programs scarce and they have been all but eliminated for the group that is served by Free Arts — the children most in need of creative expression. Free Arts NYC founder Liz Hopfan says “The generosity of both the artists and buyers allows Free Arts NYC to continue our work. Auction supporters would be pleased to see how their donations make a difference in the lives of so many young New Yorkers.”

Tickets (starting at $250) and information are available through Free Arts NYC at 212 974-9092 or online at www.freeartsnyc.org.

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