FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2007

Special evening of art, foods and wine hosted by one non-profit to benefit another

(BUFFALO, NY) Starlight Studio and Art Gallery will host a silent auction of its artists' work to support The Paint Box Project® —Roswell Park Cancer Institute's annual holiday card and gift sale - on Friday, September 14 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at the Gallery's 340 Delaware Avenue location. Over the past few months, artists from Starlight Studio, an open art studio program for adults with learning disabilities, have worked on and selected more than 100 artworks (over 40 pieces were framed free of charge by Avenue Art and Frame, and Elmwood Framing and Interiors) to donate to the auction. All proceeds from this event will benefit lifesaving cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

"Our artists are excited to have the opportunity to continue supporting The Paint Box Project," said Rosie O'Grady Ravish, Community Relations Director, Starlight Studio. "It was amazing to witness what a simple common thread - love of art - brought out in artists from both groups when they came together for an art party that was held back in August."

That first coming together of these two organizations was just one of many art parties that The Paint Box Project holds for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings throughout the year. Artists from The Paint Box Project create designs at each of these parties that are transformed into colorful cards and gifts sold around the holiday season.

Organizers from The Paint Box Project are excited to present an exclusive sneak preview of The Paint Box Project's Living Masterpieces 2007 Holiday Card & Gift Collection alongside auction items at the September Starlight Studio event. This colorful new collection features 22 new holiday card designs, gourmet Choco-Logo chocolates, ornaments, tote bags, candles, sweatshirts and more. Select cards and merchandise from the collection will be available for purchase at the event, while the entire collection is available for purchase from the Project's website, www.PaintBoxProject.com.

"We hope that our friendship with The Paint Box Project continues to grow," explained O'Grady Ravish. "It goes back to the saying, ‘you don't have to go it alone'. Together, our two organizations have already created a wonderful new way for two groups of people dealing with challenges, sometimes life-long challenges, to come together for a positive form of expression. It will be exciting to see what additional good comes out of this new partnership, not only for our organizations but for the entire community."

This special evening will be topped off by wine tasting from Eveningside Vineyards, Cambria, NY, and appetizers from Globe Market, Buffalo, NY. Everyone is invited to come share in the energy of this free event with artists from both Starlight Studio and The Paint Box Project.

ABOUT THE COLLABORATORS:
The Paint Box Project®, a program of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, uses the healing power of art to help young cancer patients and their families express themselves during and after cancer treatment. Created in 1990 by the volunteers of the Roswell Park Alliance, the Project hosts art parties where children create original designs that are featured on holiday and all-occasion cards and merchandise. All proceeds from the sale of Paint Box Project items benefit groundbreaking cancer research and compassionate patient care programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  For more information, visit www.PaintBoxProject.com or call 716-845-8119.

Starlight Studio and Art Gallery is an open art studio program for adults with disabilities run by the Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York, Inc. (LDA of WNY)— a parent-sponsored, professionally lead human service provider assisting individuals with learning disabilities and/or neurological impairments, and their families in leading more productive and meaningful lives. A multi-faceted agency, LDA of WNY provides a comprehensive array of services to assist these children and adults in achieving their goals. Starlight Studio and Art Gallery focuses on the creation of fine art. Participants are guided in their art making by professional artists in the arts of drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramic sculpture, collage and mixed media. Starlight Studio and Art Gallery is generously funded by the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) under the New York State Options for People Through Services (NYS-OPTS) initiative.