OPEN TO THE TRADE AND PUBLIC, AELV - SISTER SHOW TO ARTEXPO NEW YORK - RUNS

  SEPT. 19-21, FEATURING ART FROM 300+ EXHIBITORS WORLDWIDE; FAMED MARINE

 LIFE ARTIST WYLAND WILL DO LIVE PAINTING EVENTS EACH DAY; CRAIG KAUSEN OF

                 LINDA JONES ENTERPRISES IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER



    LAS VEGAS, Aug. 5 /EMWNews/ -- The 2nd Annual Artexpo Las Vegas

(AELV) returns to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino this September, opening

Thursday, September 18 with a gala fundraiser taking place 6-9PM. Requiring

a separate ticket from the three-day show opening the following day, the

benefit event encompasses a trade-only preview of artworks from more than

300 exhibitors from over 20 countries worldwide. Proceeds will benefit the

Las Vegas-based, non-profit Sunrise Children's Foundation (SCF)

(http://www.sunrisechildren.org).



    Following the benefit night kick-off, AELV 2008 runs September 19-21,

with highlights including a keynote address from Craig Kausen, President of

Linda Jones Enterprises (LJE), home to the art of legendary film director

and creator Chuck Jones -- Kausen's grandfather -- and a select group of

artists also represented by LJE. World-renowned marine life artist and

muralist extraordinaire Wyland will stage a live painting event each day of

the show's run, creating a large format piece in the center court of AELV

daily. San Diego-based contemporary realist painter Christopher M.

(represented by Crown Thorn Publishing), acclaimed for his vibrant

"Culinary Collection," has been selected to create the official AELV 2008

poster.



    Founded in 1993, SCF's mission is, "Helping children fulfill their

potential of safe, healthy and educated lives." Offering 12 programs

throughout Southern Nevada with an emphasis on pediatric health and

education, the organization serves over 200,000 people annually, at least

50% of them low income, minority and/or limited-English proficient. Key

initiatives include: Baby? Think It Over!!, advocating teen pregnancy

prevention; HIPPY, "Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters;"

Be Bright, Don't Light, an anti-smoking program for middle & high schools;

and SCF's Education Health Center at Agassi Academy, enhancing education

potential through wellness and the resolution of health concerns.



    SCF's Vice President and Executive Office Administrator Virginia Stiles

said, "We started fifteen years ago without even a paperclip to our name.

Today, SCF employs over 100 people, and we are able to touch the lives of

so many children and families throughout Southern Nevada. We're honored and

grateful to be receiving this support from AELV, and to be part of this

exciting event, which will allow us to reach more children and young people

who need our help."



    AELV -- which is open to the trade and to the public -- is produced by

The Art Group, the #1 worldwide producer of art shows and art-related

publications, including Artexpo New York and Art Miami. The Art Group

launched AELV in the image of sister show Artexpo New York (AENY), which

was established in 1978 and became the NYC's #1 art market in its second

year. The 30th anniversary AENY 2008, which also marked the launch of the

Artexpo Hall of Fame, drew over 30,000 visitors.



    Like AENY, AELV primarily spotlights nationally and internationally

renowned artists and the galleries and publishers representing them, with

an emphasis on original paintings, sculptures and limited edition prints.

Attendees will find something for every taste, with pieces by artists

ranging from the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood to Dutch master Rembrandt, as

well as Wyland, Christopher M., Romero Britto, Andy Warhol and Anne

Packard, among many others. The show also includes: the new SOLO section,

highlighting emerging and independent artists; the EXPOSURE section,

featuring photographic images by legends and newcomers; and the

AmericanStyle-sponsored Decorative Arts & Design Pavilion.



    Over 3,000 trade buyers and more than 7,000 individual consumers and

collectors are expected to attend AELV, which runs:




    Friday, September 19                12noon-6PM

    Saturday, September 20              11AM-6PM

    Sunday, September 21                11AM-5PM



           For more information, log on to http://www.artexpos.com