Post by Ace on Jul 26, 2003 16:06:48 GMT -5
Malibuite Pierce Brosnan honorary chair of Malibu Arts Festival
www.malibutimes.com/display/inn_life_and_arts/art1.txt
Pierce Brosnan, who studied to be an artist before he turned to acting, is the honorary chair of the 32nd Annual Malibu Arts Festival on July 26 and 27.
By Ryan O'Quinn/Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu's 007 Pierce Brosnan is slated as the honorary chair of the 32nd Annual Malibu Arts Festival, which will take place this weekend at the Civic Center.
This year's turnout is expected to be one of the biggest in recent history according to the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.
Brosnan, who is best known as James Bond and TV's Remington Steele, is also an artist who worked for a time as a commercial illustrator in London before turning to acting full time. Brosnan, who lives in Malibu, is still a respected visual artist and an accomplished painter.
"Somebody knew Pierce and was able to get in touch with his PR people, and it went from there," said Mary Lou Blackwood of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. She said they were very excited to add Brosnan's name to a list of celebrities who endorse the annual event. Recent past chairpersons have included Sally Kirkland and Jane Seymour.
Ray Craig, current president of the chamber, was the president in the early '70s when the festival began under his helm. He has always admired Brosnan's artwork and is said to be very pleased to have the actor's name associated with the festival.
The Arts Festival began as a community gathering of artists who wanted to display their works and has continued to grow each year. This year most of the available spaces were reserved well in advance.
"It started with local artists that wanted to put together an art festival," Blackwood said. "We have expanded it to where we are maxed out. I don't know that we could get another artist in there."
Unlike some arts festivals, where vendors simply sign up and show up, Malibu is a well-respected festival with a screening process conducted by a jury, and there is often a waiting list just to be able to display works of art.
This weekend there will be 206 vendor booths with various arts and crafts for sale including paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and furniture. There will also be a "Chamber Member Village" so members of the Chamber of Commerce can sell their own wares and provide information on local businesses.
In addition to the works of art on display, there will be live music and a food court. Malibu High School students will provide the music on Saturday and local restaurants, caterers and vendors will offer a variety of foods and desserts. The Optimists Club will also present its traditional pancake breakfast each morning from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
This week is a busy one for Brosnan. In addition to his role as chairman of the Malibu Arts Festival, last Saturday he was awarded an honorary OBE from the Queen of England. In Dublin last week, he was officially pronounced an officer of The Order of the British Empire. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Brosnan added "style and glamour to the image of Britain overseas."
The award is honorary because Brosnan was born in Ireland. Only citizens of a country where Queen Elizabeth II is head of state are eligible to receive full honors.
Brosnan is also an avid supporter of women's health issues. His first wife, Cassandra Harris, died of ovarian cancer in 1991. He currently serves as ambassador of Women's Health Issues for Permanent Charities of the Entertainment Industry, and has raised millions of dollars to help research ovarian and breast cancer.
Two years ago he married actress/TV correspondent Keely Shaye Smith. The couple has two sons, and Brosnan has three children from his first marriage.
Speaking to the media following his appointment, Brosnan said, "In my life I am fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and courageous individuals whose tireless efforts are an inspiration to me both personally and professionally."
Although Brosnan is honorary chair of the Arts Festival, he will be unable to attend because he is currently in production on the film, "Laws of Attraction," costarring Julianne Moore and Parker Posey.
Admission to the Malibu Arts Festival is free. The evnet will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, contact the Chamber office at 310.456.9025.
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He's so busy he's now chairing events 6,000 miles away. ;D
Ace
www.malibutimes.com/display/inn_life_and_arts/art1.txt
Pierce Brosnan, who studied to be an artist before he turned to acting, is the honorary chair of the 32nd Annual Malibu Arts Festival on July 26 and 27.
By Ryan O'Quinn/Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu's 007 Pierce Brosnan is slated as the honorary chair of the 32nd Annual Malibu Arts Festival, which will take place this weekend at the Civic Center.
This year's turnout is expected to be one of the biggest in recent history according to the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.
Brosnan, who is best known as James Bond and TV's Remington Steele, is also an artist who worked for a time as a commercial illustrator in London before turning to acting full time. Brosnan, who lives in Malibu, is still a respected visual artist and an accomplished painter.
"Somebody knew Pierce and was able to get in touch with his PR people, and it went from there," said Mary Lou Blackwood of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. She said they were very excited to add Brosnan's name to a list of celebrities who endorse the annual event. Recent past chairpersons have included Sally Kirkland and Jane Seymour.
Ray Craig, current president of the chamber, was the president in the early '70s when the festival began under his helm. He has always admired Brosnan's artwork and is said to be very pleased to have the actor's name associated with the festival.
The Arts Festival began as a community gathering of artists who wanted to display their works and has continued to grow each year. This year most of the available spaces were reserved well in advance.
"It started with local artists that wanted to put together an art festival," Blackwood said. "We have expanded it to where we are maxed out. I don't know that we could get another artist in there."
Unlike some arts festivals, where vendors simply sign up and show up, Malibu is a well-respected festival with a screening process conducted by a jury, and there is often a waiting list just to be able to display works of art.
This weekend there will be 206 vendor booths with various arts and crafts for sale including paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and furniture. There will also be a "Chamber Member Village" so members of the Chamber of Commerce can sell their own wares and provide information on local businesses.
In addition to the works of art on display, there will be live music and a food court. Malibu High School students will provide the music on Saturday and local restaurants, caterers and vendors will offer a variety of foods and desserts. The Optimists Club will also present its traditional pancake breakfast each morning from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
This week is a busy one for Brosnan. In addition to his role as chairman of the Malibu Arts Festival, last Saturday he was awarded an honorary OBE from the Queen of England. In Dublin last week, he was officially pronounced an officer of The Order of the British Empire. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Brosnan added "style and glamour to the image of Britain overseas."
The award is honorary because Brosnan was born in Ireland. Only citizens of a country where Queen Elizabeth II is head of state are eligible to receive full honors.
Brosnan is also an avid supporter of women's health issues. His first wife, Cassandra Harris, died of ovarian cancer in 1991. He currently serves as ambassador of Women's Health Issues for Permanent Charities of the Entertainment Industry, and has raised millions of dollars to help research ovarian and breast cancer.
Two years ago he married actress/TV correspondent Keely Shaye Smith. The couple has two sons, and Brosnan has three children from his first marriage.
Speaking to the media following his appointment, Brosnan said, "In my life I am fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and courageous individuals whose tireless efforts are an inspiration to me both personally and professionally."
Although Brosnan is honorary chair of the Arts Festival, he will be unable to attend because he is currently in production on the film, "Laws of Attraction," costarring Julianne Moore and Parker Posey.
Admission to the Malibu Arts Festival is free. The evnet will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, contact the Chamber office at 310.456.9025.
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He's so busy he's now chairing events 6,000 miles away. ;D
Ace
