Related Document: Painting_Pachyderm_Release_FINAL1.pdf

Contacts: Joanna Wilbee Amis
Ringling Bros.
(906) 786-2412 or joanna@hobnobcomm.com
Hilarie Szarowicz
Van Andel Arena
(616) 742-6397 or hszarowicz@smggr.com

For Immediate Release

PACHYDERMS PAINT THE RAPID RED (and blue and yellow...)

Artists in Ringling inspired by 2009 ArtPrize and assisted by VSA arts of Michigan - Grand Rapids will create moving art

Grand Rapids, MI (September 18, 2009) - In celebration of the annual arrival of The Greatest Show On Earth® as well as the official kick off of ArtPrize 2009, the painting pachyderms of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® are getting in on the artistic inspiration invading Grand Rapids! On Thursday, Sept. 24 at Noon these Asian artisans along with twenty-five young artists from Very Special Arts (VSAMI-GR) of Michigan - Grand Rapids will gather to cover an incredibly large and unique canvas - a city bus!

Considering the elephants are undoubtedly the World's Largest Artists (and not because of their egos) and that ArtPrize is the World's Largest Art Competition, painting any old surface certainly would not suffice, but the The Rapid's Van Andel Arena wrapped bus is the perfect place to create some art that is guaranteed to move many.

The group from VSAMI-GR will be assisted by some of Ringling's masters of merriment from their famous clown alley, in priming the bus and creating an inspired canvas for the elephants to complete. The event will take place on Ottawa Street at the corner of Fulton. The public is encouraged and invited to attend, after all ArtPrize is all about public art. And while the elephants aren't eligible to win ArtPrize 2009 because they forgot to register, a mistake they certainly won't repeat, their talents are sure to shine!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Over The Top opens on Thursday, Sept. 24 and will run through Sunday, September 27 at Van Andel Arena® for six awe-inspiring performances. For more information on the event, please visit www.vanandelarena.com.

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For more information on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® visit http://www.ringling.com/.

About Feld Entertainment, Inc. Feld Entertainment is one of the worldwide leaders in producing and presenting live entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 60 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice, and Disney Live!

About VSA arts Michigan-Grand Rapids
VSA arts of Michigan- Grand Rapids ("VSAMI-GR") is dedicated to enriching the lives of disabled and non-disabled persons through the arts. Our programs provide opportunities in the arts for all. VSA has been a part of the Kent County landscape since 1986. Last year, VSA helped nearly 4,000 individuals celebrate, succeed and grow with art in West Michigan alone. VSA arts of Grand Rapids is a district affiliate of the VSA arts of Michigan. Located in Detroit, VSA arts of Michigan provides programming support through nine district affiliates state-wide and is the largest non-profit organization in Michigan bringing together artists, art projects, teachers and students with disabilities. VSA arts of Michigan- Grand Rapids is a member of the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids.