FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Joana Casas, Program Communications Manager
P: (212) 806-1602; E: joana.casas@amfar.org
amfAR Announces Limited Edition Beach Towel Designed by Artist Shantell Martin to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness
Limited Edition Product Exclusively Available at Scoop NYC Stores; Proceeds to Benefit HIV/AIDS Research
NEW YORK, June 4, 2015 – amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, today announced the release of a limited edition beach towel designed by British-born, New York-based visual artist Shantell Martin to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for HIV/AIDS.
Launching exclusively at Scoop NYC stores for a limited time, the towel features Martin’s trademark black-and-white illustrations, and includes an inscription that reads, “Be Epic, Cure AIDS,” a nod to amfAR’s “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS” initiative, which aims to develop a scientific basis of a cure by 2020.
“We are excited to collaborate with Scoop NYC and Shantell Martin for this creative and unique way of raising AIDS awareness,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. “Through Martin’s engaging visual narrative, we hope this fashionable item becomes a conversation piece this summer about the importance of supporting research to find a cure for HIV.”
Martin, 34, is celebrated for creating bold and intricate line illustrations on various surfaces including large-scale installations, digital and multi-media performances and academic residencies with institutions like Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and New York University. The limited edition towel is the first incarnation of an ongoing partnership between Martin and amfAR. The artist will ‘draw for the cause’ at the organization’s Inspiration Gala New York on June 16 and generationCURE Solstice event on June 23 in New York City.
“It’s an honor to work with amfAR. People will love our summer beach towel as we work towards raising funds to support the fight to find a cure for HIV,” says Martin. “I’m super looking forward to seaing [sic] our message on beaches everywhere, encouraging everyone to ‘Be Epic and Cure AIDS.”
Starting June 8, the towel will be available at Scoop NYC stores across the United States for $40, with 100 percent of the purchase price going to amfAR’s life-saving research programs. It will also be available from amfAR at its online shop (http://shop.amfar.org/).
About Shantell Martin
Martin was born and raised in London, United Kingdom and is currently living in New York City. She has been commissioned by Viacom, exhibited at Brooklyn Museum and been a resident at the MIT Media Lab, boutiques in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, and sought after by private art collectors around the world. To learn more about the artist, visit www.shantellmartin.com.
About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested $415 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide. Learn more about amfAR at www.amfar.org.
About Scoop NYC
Scoop NYC, the Ultimate Closet, offers a signature-curated assortment of men's and women's luxury designer, contemporary apparel and accessories. With a philosophy marked by offering the most interesting brands and compelling styles, each store is uniquely merchandised and inspired by the effortlessly cool but quality-driven aesthetic of Scoop’s New York City roots. With the first store opening in 1996 in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, Scoop now operates 17 stores in nine states throughout the country and continues to expand its markets with its newest location set to open in NYC’s Brookfield Place in July, 2015. Learn more at Facebook.com/ScoopNYC, Instagram.com/ScoopNYC, Pinterest.com/ScoopNYC and Twitter.com/ScoopNYC.
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