For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kelly Wietsma
equisponse@aol.com 914-261-6379
Acclaimed Artist Susan Sommer-Luarca - Official Artist of Super Saver - to Paint Live at the 2010 Preakness
Proceeds From Auction of Commemorative Portrait to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Race for Education and Race Track Chaplaincy of America
May 13, 2010 – Baltimore, MD - Acclaimed artist Susan Sommer-Luarca - official artist of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver - will paint live at the 2010 Preakness Stakes, at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 15. The painting will be donated by Bill Casner , Chairman and Co-owner of Winstar Farm – owners of Super Saver - and auctioned to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Race For Education and Race Track Chaplaincy of America. The 135th Running of the Preakness Stakes will be telecast live on NBC.
"We are very excited to be part of such a great project at such a spectacular event," said Casner. "Susan is such a talented artist and to know that Super Saver is able to help benefit three great charitable organizations is wonderful."
Somer-Luarca will be painting on the Turfside Terrace on Black-Eyed Susan Day, Friday May 14 and will paint in the Preakness Corporate Village on Preakness Day. The painting will be signed by Casner, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Calvin Borel upon its completion.
"I am honored to have been commissioned by the connections of Super Saver to create a portrait of the colt with jockey Calvin Borel," said Sommer-Luarca. "I am looking forward to painting live on Black Eyed ⅔™Susan day and at the Preakness Stakes in an effort to help raise significant funds for three great organizations."
The painting will be listed on ebay beginning Friday, May 14 with bids being accepted through
Sunday, May 23.
About Susan G. Koman For the Cure® Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
About Race For Education The Race For Education (RFE) is a national 501(c)(3) scholarship organization. The organization's objective goes beyond getting students though college financially. Our mission is to provide mentoring, tutoring and partnership along with financial support, with the ultimate goal of making sure students are successful in life and become an asset to their community
About Race Track Chaplaincy of America
The Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Inc. is an evangelical, interdenominational, Christian organization whose purpose is to minister to those persons involved in all aspects of the horse racing industry. A Board of Directors who serves voluntarily, without compensation guides this non-profit, tax-exempt Corporation. The Ministry of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Inc. is carried out by Chaplains who are employed, supported, and supervised by Local Councils that take responsibility for the work on a particular track or group of tracks. In order to provide the horse racing industry with the best possible pastoral care, the RTCA, Inc. seeks to employ as Chaplains only those ministers who meet the highest standards of spiritual maturity, personal integrity, commitment, concern, education, training, and abilities. The Local Councils are comprised of both clergy and laypersons from the surrounding community and from the racing industry. These individuals serve voluntarily, out of a sense of commitment to the vision of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Inc.
About Susan Sommer-Luarca Acclaimed artist Susan Sommer-Luarca is an official artist for the US Olympic Team (2008-present). She has painted live at, and commemorated, the Kentucky Derby (2007-present), Preakness Stakes (2007-present) and Belmont Stakes (2007&2008), Breeders Cup World Championships (2008), and Travers Stakes (2007&2008). She was recently invited by the NFL to paint live at the NFL Experience at Super Bowl XLII (2008). Susan Sommer-Luarca was also commissioned to create the official artwork for the P.G.A's Price-Cutter Championship (2004). She has appeared, and her artwork featured, on numerous national and local media outlets, including NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, just to name a few. In 2006, Susan Sommer-Luarca founded a non-profit organization -- SSL4Habitat -- to create awareness and help preserve wildlife and its natural habitat. Susan Sommer-Luarca currently serves as a board member, national spokesperson, and helps raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association.
