LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Marketing art and fostering a creative class community in Lexington, KY is a challenging endeavor; simply having gallery and studio space alone may not bring the proprietor immediate rewards. "Realizing that it would take as much creativity to market our development concept as it takes the artists to create their work, we decided to use non-traditional approaches to pursue The Distillery District's mission of becoming Lexington's premier arts, culture and heritage corridor," said Barry McNees, lead developer of The Distillery District.
To nurture The Distillery District, located on Manchester Street and Pine Street adjacent to world famous Rupp Arena, home of Kentucky Wildcat basketball, as a burgeoning creative zone, providing artists and creative industries a platform where ideas can be performed, displayed, marketed and developed, McNees has formed a collaboration with artist, writer and entrepreneur, Theo Edmonds. Edmonds is the founder of the art/design/philanthropy company Hillbilly Chic(tm) and developer of the Hillbilly Chic's online community, www.CoolLifeKY.com which is co-operative marketing website designed specifically to create stronger ties between the art and business communities in Kentucky.
On Friday, October 5, 2007, from 6-9pm all Lexington is invited to the grand opening of Edmonds' Hillbilly Chic Art Gallery at 903 Manchester Street in the heart of The Distillery District. The event is designed as a networking hub of live performance, live art and lively conversation and launches a new era where the bluegrass region's business and arts communities can gather to frame vibrant cultural future together.
The event includes:
6-7pm
* Hillbilly Chic(tm) Gallery Opens with Over 50 Original
Contemporary and Modern Art Pieces Including Paintings,
Sculptures, Art Furniture and Object d'Art Available for
Sale with Prices Ranging from $50 - $5,000
* Silent Art Auction For Hope Center Recovery Program for Women
* Music
* Live Art Project: To Celebrate the Opening Day of Keeneland Watch
6ft x 9ft Abstract Expressionist Painting Being Created & Interact
With the Artist
7-7:30pm
* Presentation of The Distillery District Vision by Barry McNees
7:30-8pm
* Presentation of www.coollifeky.com Vision by Theo Edmonds
9pm Event Concludes
"Together with our tenants and partners, we will continually strive to recreate The Distillery District as a true live/work community for artists of all kinds," said McNees, "thereby encouraging a natural evolution of products and ideas inspiring both Lexingtonians and global visitors. We want this area to become not only a place to live and work but also an effective marketing solution for area artists. Rather than simply developing downtown real estate, we're positioning art as an economic engine for Lexington and bluegrass region."