Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI]
CCAI Downtown! Gallery
P.O. Box 1333
Carson City, Nevada 89702

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2007


"CCAI Downtown!"
CCAI Launches Exhibition Project in Temporary Gallery Space

[Photo Editors Please Note: Scroll Down for Photography]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"CCAI Downtown!"
CCAI Launches Exhibition Project in Temporary Gallery Space

On Saturday, June 16 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI] will open "CCAI Downtown," a new temporary gallery space at the northeast corner of Curry and Third Streets in Carson City.

The gallery will also be open Saturdays from one to five p.m. through July 7.

The festive opening is part of the 13th "Taste of Downtown," Carson City's "best street party" and an annual fundraiser for Advocates to End Domestic Violence, a local non-profit social service agency that provides a wide variety of services designed to protect and support battered women and their children.

Featured in the exhibition are three local artists: painter Paul Ford and avant-garde fashion designers Milan del Vecchio and Claire Ponn.

Paul Ford taught for twenty seven-years at Carson High School. In 2005 he received the Governor’s Art Award for Excellence in Art Education.

Mr. Ford has exhibited nationally and internationally. His mixed media landscapes incorporate natural and recycled materials to make a statement on environmental respronsibility.

Milan del Vecchio graduated as salutatorian from Carson High School in 2005, after completeting the production of her Fashion Show Senior Project. She is currently enrolled in the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. This summer she'll intern at "Jimmy'z" fashion emporium in New York City.

Claire Ponn is a Nevada native heavily influenced by fashion, photography, music and travel. Her interest in fashion led to the creation of "Siren Soles," a custom footwear enterprise, and a line of jewelry. In August she will receive a dual degree from UNR in Advertising and Art History.

Ms. del Vecchio and Ponn's work will also be featured in CCAI's fall exhibition "Radical Fashion" at Classy Seconds.

"CCAI ’s move to the historic downtown is another important sign of the revitalization of this vital part of our city,” comments Jenny Lopiccolo, a local realtor. Ms. Loppiccolo has generously donated temporary use of the gallery space.

The Capital City Arts Initiative is an artist-centered organization committed to the encouragement and support of artists and the arts and culture of Carson City and the surrounding region through community building and public programs. Its activities include contemporary art exhibitions, live events and arts education programs for the area’s diverse adult and youth populations.

CCAI is funded by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority; the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; the James W. Calhoun Foundation; U.S. Bank; Gayle Crowell; Coldwell Banker Best Sellers; Carson High School; UNR Art Department; Carson City Library; Nevada Hispanic Services-Carson City; CCAI's Board of Directors; BrAG, CCAI's 'Brilliant Advisory Group'; CCAI's Business Leaders; and CCAI's growing membership.

CCAI extends special thanks to Joe McCarthy; Steele & Associates, CPAs; the Dan Leck Family; Jenny Lopiccolo; Westside Ink Bookstore; Carson City Courthousehouse; Carson Harley-Davidson Buell Dealership; David Ruf, Greenhouse Garden Center; Dr. Kim Bean, Dr. Jeffrey Bean; Carson Shopping Center; Capital City Entertainment; Rick Sikes, Nevada Green; Stew’s Brewery; Western Nevada Community College; Sherwin-Williams Paints; Kelly Moore Paints; the Fuller Paint Center; and Simpson Creative.

For additional information visit CCAI’s website at www.arts-initiative.org.

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caption: Claire Ponn, "Breakfast Heels."
Mixed Media Shoes included in "CCAI Downtown!"



caption: Paul Ford, "Endangered Spaces -- Washoe
Valley
32"h x 38"
mixed media: Recycled plastic bags from Nevada's
highways, regional soils and acrylic paint

revised: 061007 20:30 PDT [gmt - 08:00]