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February 26, 1998
First Union Announces its First National Arts Sponsorship at National Gallery of Art; Ties Sponsorship to Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Degas at the Races, the first national art exhibition ever to be sponsored by First Union Corporation, will be on view at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., April 12 through July 12.The first international museum exhibition ever devoted to Edgar Degas' lifelong fascination with the theme of the horse and the racetrack, it will be presented only in Washington. First Union is the exclusive sponsor of this remarkable exhibition, which features more than 120 works from museums and private collections around the world.
Degas at the Races will bring together the entire range of Degas' equestrian works, many of which have rarely seen by the public. The exhibition of work by one of the 19th Century's most famous impressionists will include 40 paintings and pastels, 60 drawings and 20 works of sculpture. Major paintings are being loaned by the Musee d'Orsay, Paris; the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; and the Hiroshima Museum of Art, Japan, among others.
To help promote the exhibition, First Union is linking the arts sponsorship to its broad-based education programs, which include partnerships with public schools throughout the East Coast. First Union will sponsor a teacher contest to give away a free trip to Washington and help its partner schools arrange docent tours and free audio-guided tours. First Union has created a website, www.firstunion.com/degas that includes information on Degas, book lists, art activities, tour and travel information, and a link to the National Gallery of Art's website. Recommended books may be ordered directly online through amazon.com.
The company will also distribute educational packets about Degas and his work to 300 of its partner schools. These teacher guides, developed by the National Gallery of Art division of education, include creative ways for teachers to incorporate arts education into the regular school curriculum, as well as historical information, slides and games for all ages. (Teachers may request classroom materials by filling out an online form or by writing to the Department of Education Resources, Extension Programs Section, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 20565.)
"At First Union, there is no strategy, goal or initiative more important than our commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work," said John Georgius, president of First Union Corporation. "Our 'Excellence in Education' program is the cornerstone of all our charitable involvement, and so this sponsorship is particularly fitting. We thank the National Gallery for this wonderful opportunity to give something back to the communities that have supported us so generously."
Jim Garrity, senior vice president of advertising at First Union, said the sponsorship is also an opportunity for First Union to build upon its branding campaign. "As we continue to build brand awareness of First Union as one of the nation's leading financial services providers, we see this National Gallery sponsorship as a rare opportunity," Garrity said. "Degas was an innovator at the leading edge of his field, who captured the hearts and minds of his viewers in a very personal way. That's exactly how we want people to see First Union."
Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art, said, "We are extremely grateful to First Union for making this exhibition possible and we welcome them to the National Gallery. It is singularly appropriate that we celebrate Degas' horses and riders here at the National Gallery."
First Union Corporation is a leading provider of financial services to more than 12 million retail and commercial customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. At Dec. 31, 1997, First Union had assets of $157 billion and total stockholders' equity of $12 billion The company operates full-service banking offices in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: For examples of Degas' work, go to this following website or call the following number: NewsCom, 305/448-8411. The credits accompanying the artwork must be used.)
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