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Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center and Ford Celebrate Creative Initiative

21 September 1999

Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center and Ford Motor Company Celebrate Creative Initiative of Auto Designers Through 'The Evening Palette'

    BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Sept. 21 -- The Birmingham Bloomfield Art
Center (BBAC) and Ford Motor Company are joining together to bring
automotive innovation to the local art community.  The BBAC and Ford are
hosting an international art exhibition, "The Evening Palette," that brings
together the creative work of Ford automotive designers and sculptors from
around the world.
    The purpose of the exhibit is to highlight the creativity of Ford
employees by focusing on the works of art they create "after hours."  The
artwork on display will range from paintings and sculptures to furniture and
ceramics.
    "It's exciting to host such a unique exhibit that is both relevant to the
metro Detroit area and features so many different forms of art," says Janet
Torno, Executive Director of the BBAC.  "The diversity in mediums will appeal
to a wide range of people."
    "We support our employees in their personal pursuit of creativity," says
J Mays, Vice President of Design at Ford Motor Company.  "Fresh ideas
translate into more innovative products for our customers."
    In addition to the exhibit, Ford will host "The Evening Palette," a black
tie dinner-dance on October 30 to benefit the BBAC.  The event is open to the
public and tickets may be purchased for $250 per person.  The evening is
scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Ford's Product Development Center in Dearborn.
This special evening will be filled with art, gourmet dining and dancing to
the legendary Johnny Trudell Band.  The list of the evening's events also
includes a raffle drawing of a 2000 Lincoln Navigator.
    The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is a community supported regional art
center that promotes the appreciation, understanding, and practice of the
Arts.  The Center is open to the public and offers over 500 classes and
workshops in different mediums to people of all ages and abilities each year.
The Center is located at 1516 South Cranbrook Road, just north of Fourteen
Mile in Birmingham.  For more information about the International Art Exhibit
or to make reservations for "The Evening Palette" please call the BBAC at
248-644-0866, ext. 104.