New Orleans CVB to Showcase Local Artwork of Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op

New Orleans CVB to Showcase Local Artwork of Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op

New Orleans, LA, November 8, 2004 - The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention &
Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce the Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op
installation from the 2nd of November through the 14th of December, featuring the
following artists: Ken Frink, Kim Parker, Ric Rolston, Cathy DeYoung, Jacquelyn
Cross, Marcus Aklinlana, Matthew Peck and Levy Easterly.

In an effort to promote the city's rich culture and art, the NOMCVB has crafted
several areas in its Visitors Center, located at 2020 St. Charles Avenue, for local
artists to display their artwork. Among some of the unique pieces exhibited in the
Center include original creations by the D'Alley artists, a large Rodrigue painting
on loan from the New Orleans Museum of Art, a vibrant colorful wall adorned with Dr.
Bob's depictions of the city and an exhibition of pottery from the soon-to -open
Louisiana Artworks.

"The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau has always been a fierce
advocate and proponent of the arts, and now with our new building we are able to
showcase and promote our city's artists to visitors and locals alike. We recognize
the importance of the arts community to the tourism industry, as well as driving a
better quality of life in New Orleans," said J. Stephen Perry, President & CEO,
NOMCVB.

The Official Visitors Center showcases the talent and passion that New Orleans local
artists possess. Visitors and locals are encouraged to stop by the Center to enjoy
this display of artwork, which can be viewed in the state-of-the-art Visitors
Center, Monday - Saturday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Meet the D'Alley Artists:

Ken Frink worked briefly in Los Angeles, and then moved to New York City. In New
York Ken showed his artwork in both group and solo exhibitions. Ken 's goal in
painting is to assemble varied elements into an expressive symbolic image. Color and
composition are important to him, but he cannot justify painting without some
emotional investment in the work.

Kim Parker has worked in many media including pottery, ceramics, printmaking, and
pastels. She has been a watercolorist for the Walter Anderson family since 1993.
Kim celebrates New Orleans as the northern capital of the Caribbean with her art.
The lush marine and coastal environment inspire her vibrant palette. She refers to
her art as "tropics with a twist" and wishes to leave the viewer with a good time"
impression.

Ric Rolston is a specialist in a variety of painting techniques and visual design
services. At D'Alley, Inc. Ric is showing hand painted reproductions of antique
product labels based on the original late nineteenth/early twentieth century designs
of Frederick von Ehrens of the Walle Corporation. Examples of other unique
hand-constructed hand-painted items are shown in Mr. Rolston's exhibition space.

Cathy DeYoung's career in metals started at age 14 when she began to go with her
father to his factory to help him develop his industrial braiding machines. By the
time she was 16, Cathy was enrolled in jewelry/metals classes at the Cleveland
Institute of Art on the weekends. After high school, she went on to attend college
at C.I.A, and focused on metals and discovered enameling.

Jackie Cross is self-taught and has painted all her life, in between raising five
children. She has painted on clothes that she successfully sold at the French
Market for over twenty years, as well as airbrushed items. Jackie also created a
line of Louisiana-themed mouse pads from her scenes of the Bayou country.
Presently, her medium is watercolor; her primary subjects are landscapes and floral
motifs, as she loves the outdoors and her well-tended garden.

Marcus Aklinlana graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in
1988, where he majored in painting and drawing. Marcus went on to create
collaborative community murals with the Chicago Public Art Group, helping to restore
and beautify Chicago's urban landscape. He has completed major mural commissions for
the Denver International Airport and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. He has
recently completed two major mural and sculptural installations for the Philadelphia
International Airport and the Aurora Municipal Center in Colorado.

Matthew Peck is a self-taught artist, and became very successful drawing
caricatures of people in the French Market. He is also the creator of the "New
Orleans Names", which incorporated aspects of life in New Orleans into the letters
that spell the individual's name.

Levy Scott Easterly, a Louisiana native, has been coming to New Orleans for Mardi
Gras for over twenty years. In the past ten years, Levy has built a portfolio of
painting wall murals, trompe-l'oiel, and faux finishes in businesses and private
collections worldwide. Levy's series of totems called Carnival Faces were inspired
by years of observation and enjoyment of all the festive people in the parades and
parties that go on throughout the year in this city.

About the Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op
Located in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter underneath Bella Luna
Restaurant, Dutch Alley Artists' Co-op at 912 North Peters Street, is New Orleans'
newest artist owned and operated art gallery. Featuring artists from the New Orleans
area in all media, D'Alley, Inc. opened its doors in November 2003 a week before
Thanksgiving, with only seventeen artists. In less than seven months, membership
doubled. D'Alley, inc. offers a unique shopping experience, both gallery and studio,
with artists as sales staff are open seven days a week, from 10AM until 6PM. It is
conveniently located by the Dumaine Street Red Streetcar stop, and accessible by
wheelchair.

About the NOMCVB
Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
(www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most
important industry, Tourism. Nationally recognized for superior customer service,
it represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor
information for business travelers and vacationers. Last year, the NOMCVB welcomed a
record-breaking 8.5 million visitors to one of America's favorite destinations,
generating $4.5 billion to the region. NOMCVB was named the Most Media-Friendly CVB
by the North American Travel Journalists Association.



Communications and Community Relations
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
2020 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-566-5019
www.neworleanscvb.com

Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
(www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most
important industry, Tourism. Nationally recognized for superior customer service,
it represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor
information for business travelers and vacationers. Last year, the NOMCVB welcomed a
record-breaking 8.5 million visitors to one of America's favorite destinations,
generating $4.5 billion to the region. NOMCVB was named the Most Media-Friendly CVB
by the North American Travel Journalists Association.