FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen Orsi Collectors Editions (818) 700-8431 phone (818) 700-9324 fax [email protected] www.collectorseditions.com COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF MAGIC WITH MICKEY MOUSE CANOGA PARK, CA - Collector’s Editions, publishers of Disney Fine Art, has announced plans for a yearlong celebration to commemorate Mickey Mouse’s 75th Anniversary. Collector’s Editions will coordinate in-store events at selected fine art galleries across the United States, Europe and Japan along with the release of a series of new limited edition paintings featuring one of the most significant icons of the modern era. Pop artist Allison Lefcort, schedules the first piece for release on November 1, 2003. The image titled “Abracadabra” is a serigraph on canvas in an edition of 195 pieces. Ms. Lefcort recently signed with Collector’s Editions to publish her Disney portfolio. “I saw Allison’s artwork at Walt Disney World for the first time about six years ago. I have been a fan of hers ever since,” says Steve Wetzel, Director of the Disney Fine Art program. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring Allison’s artwork to a global art market”. The second piece, entitled “Life Is A Bowl of Cheese” by renowned artist David Willardson, will be released on December 15, 2003. The image will be a seventy-five piece deluxe edition serigraph on deckled paper featuring diamond dust and hand applied gold foil. Mr. Willardson, known for creating internationally recognized images such as the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie logo and the classic American Graffiti carhop, was commissioned by the Walt Disney Studios to paint major movie posters in the 1980’s. His work for Disney includes Bambi, Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Lion King. “Dave’s ability to capture the personality of Disney characters in his paintings is remarkable,” says Wetzel, “David Willardson is one of those rare artists that can tell a story or convey an emotion in a very colorful and often complex painting. This requires an understanding of Disney characters that only a few artists possess.” Collector’s Editions, owned and operated by Mary Margaret Nash and Bill Stone, has been involved in promoting artists and selling fine art since 1975. Mrs. Nash says, “The guiding vision at Collector’s Editions all these years has been our desire to bring the finest work of promising artists to market with the highest level of customer satisfaction.” Since 2002, Collector’s Editions has been publishing Disney Fine Art, which is a portfolio of “artist inspired” original and graphic prints featuring Disney characters. Program Director Steve Wetzel spent ten years with the Walt Disney Company managing the production art program, then headed up the Simpsons animation art program at 20th Century Fox before joining Collector’s Editions. -END- .