MEMPHIS AIRPORT TO HOST MDA ART EXHIBIT

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 16, 2004 – Memphis International Airport will display 17 selected works of art from the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Art Collection. The exhibit, called Barrier Free: Selections from the MDA Art Collection, will begin Feb. 1 and run through April 30.

The Collection features artwork by children and adults across the country who challenge the obstacles imposed by neuromuscular diseases. The exhibit will consist of seven pieces created by young artists and 10 works by adults. The works include traditional oils, acrylics, watercolors and photographs, as well as unusual artistic media such as finger-paints, woodblock prints and computer-generated art.

“We are so very proud to be able to exhibit the works of such creative and accomplished artists here at Memphis International Airport,” said Airport President and CEO Larry D. Cox. “We believe this will help raise awareness and focus attention on the creative abilities and valuable contributions that are made by individuals who have physical challenges. It is also especially gratifying that we can feature many artists from our own region.”

Eight Tennessee artists, one from Mississippi and two from Arkansas will have works in the exhibit.

Memphis International Airport handles over 10 million passengers annually and consistently ranks in the top 10 U.S. hub airports for on-time flights. It’s also the #1 Cargo Airport in the World. The airport, located at 2491 Winchester Road, will display the exhibit in the passenger walkway between Concourses A and B, which is beyond the passenger security screening point.

For directions or more information, call (901) 922-8000.

“It’s a great honor to have a portion of our Collection on display at the Memphis International Airport,” MDA President & CEO Robert Ross said. “We’re inspired by the talented children and adults who have contributed to the Collection and delighted to share their remarkable works with those traveling to and from Memphis.”

The Collection’s permanent home is MDA’s national headquarters in Tucson. Samples of the Collection can also be seen at www.mda.org/commprog/art. The Collection was established in 1992 to focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities, and to emphasize that physical disability is no barrier to creativity.

The Collection currently comprises some 300 works by artists aged 2 to 82 and represents all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each artist is affected by one of the neuromuscular diseases in the MDA program.

Selected art from the Collection has been exhibited at the Art Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke; Dallas Museum of Art; Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center and Forbes Magazine Galleries in New York; Tucson Museum of Art; Bishop Museum in Honolulu; Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center; Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art; Los Angeles Children’s Museum; JFK Center at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; Fresno Metropolitan Museum; Duluth Art Institute; Capital Children’s Museum, Washington, D.C.; and the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Mich.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA serves Memphis area adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases through its clinic at Baptist Memorial Hospital.

The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.