Shepard Fairey / OBEY
Presents Exhibition of Art and Concert To Be Featured At
"Manifest Hope Art Gallery"
During Democratic National Convention



Spotlight on artists and musician across the nation who use their voices
to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement
surrounding the Barack Obama Campaign


Shepard Fairey, Evolutionary Media Group, MoveOn.org and Upper Playground present the Manifest Hope Gallery (www.manifesthope.com) in Denver, CO during the Democratic National Convention. The Manifest Hope Gallery celebrates the pivotal role that art and music play in creating cultural momentum and shines a spotlight on artists across the nation who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement surrounding the Barack Obama Campaign. The Manifest Hope Gallery highlights the central themes of the progressive grass-roots movement: Hope Change, Progress, Unity and Patriotism.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will showcase both known and new artists, some of the finest modern contemporary artists, acclaimed NY painters and sculptors, activated grass roots and street artists. Manifest Hope Gallery will present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States top artists. Shepard Fairey is one of the most prolific and infamous urban artists known world wide for his iconic image of Andre The Giant, and the designer of the highly visible HOPE posters, stickers and shirts that have been embraced by the grassroots movement that surrounds the Barack Obama campaign inspired the efforts in this gallery exhibition.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will be open to the public in Denver, CO at the Democratic National Convention, between Sunday August 24th, 2008 and Thursday, August 28th, 2008 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily. Housed within the Andenken Gallery (2990 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205) and an additional adjacent warehouse. The Manifest Hope Gallery spans 10,000 sq. ft. and will draw together a works as varied as the voices of the artists who created them.

A MoveOn.org online contest, calling for entries of visual art from grassroots supporters of Senator Obama, was launched August 4th. Five artists selected from among the submissions will show their work for the first time at the Manifest Hope Gallery. These five pieces will be chosen by a panel of judges include famed artists Ross Bleckner, April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Shepard Fairey, musicians Moby, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and DJ Spooky, and Cydney Payton; Executive Director & Chief Curator MCA Denver, and Nancy Spector; Author & Guggenheim Curator of Contemporary Art.

The five finalists selected to show in the Manifest Hope Gallery will hang alongside well-known artists such as Shepard Fairey, Sam Flores, Ron English, Chris Pastras, Mel Kadel and Date Farmers. Other artists included in the exhibition include: Justin Bua, Todd Lockwood, David Choe, Maya Hayuk, Cathie Bleck, CRO (Go Tell Mama), The Mac, Evan Hecox, Lukas Ketner, Gary Baseman, Scot Lefavor, Lisa Congdon, Amy Martin, and many more. Resident DJ Jeremy Sole will on hand all week to inspire music inside the art galleries.

On Wednesday, August 27th at 6:00 pm, Manifest Hope and partner San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will host Unconventional '08 with musical performances on an outdoor stage to feature artists such as: Silversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, Nada Surf and DJ Z Trip. Tickets are free and a limited amount will be available by visiting Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver. Additionally, there will be an intimate invite only VIP performance songwriter in the round performance featuring Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, Zooey Deschanel of She and Him, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf and singer/songwriter Jonathan Rice.

This special evening of entertainment will be sponsored by American Apparel, AT&T, CH2M Hill, Northern California Laborers, Northwest Carpenters, Pacific Gas & Electric, Safeway and Tesla Motors, presented by skImpact with music stages curated by Noise Pop.

Schedule

Monday, August 25 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Open to the Public
Tuesday, August 26 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Open to the Public
Wednesday, August 27 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Open to the Public
Wednesday, August 27 - 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm - Manifest Hope and partner San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will host Unconventional '08 with musical performances.

NADA SURF
SILVERSUN PICKUPS
COLD WAR KIDS
CLAP YOUR HANDS AND SAY YEAH!
DJ ZTRIP
- Limited number of tickets available for free at the Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver
Thursday, August 28 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Open to the Public

Senator Barack Obama is a champion for arts and culture who is the first presidential candidate to have developed a policy regarding support of the arts prior to entering office. He believes that the arts should be a central part of effective teaching and learning. The Manifest Hope Gallery is a powerful and unique show of support for this unique candidate.