National Museum of Mexican Art Honors Susan Crown for Outstanding Public Service

Distinguished Philanthropist to be honored with Arthur R. Velasquez Public Service Award at the Museum's Gala de Arte on May 3, 2013

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National Museum of Mexican Art

Mar 12, 2013, 11:10 ET

CHICAGO, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Philanthropist and businesswoman Susan Crown will be honored by the National Museum of Mexican Art on May 3, 2013, with the Arthur R. Velasquez Public Service Award in recognition of her tireless commitment to community work and civic leadership.

Created in recognition of the founder of Azteca Foods Inc., the Arthur R. Velasquez Award is presented each year by the Museum to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose generosity inspires others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a local, national or international level. Previous Arthur R. Velasquez Award winners include Alejandro Silva (Evans Foods), Terry Mazany (Chicago Community Trust), Richard M. Daley (Mayor of Chicago, 1989 – 2011), Frank Clark (ComEd) and Norm Bobbins (The PrivateBank).

Crown will accept the award at the Museum's Gala de Arte, an annual fundraising event that raises more than $500,000 in support of the Museum's programs, exhibitions, and private collection. Jose Luis Prado, President of Quaker Foods North America, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, and Gala de Arte Chair, will present Crown with her award.

"It is my privilege to chair the event where Susan Crown will be recognized for her extraordinary business and civic contributions to the city of Chicago. She is a most worthy recipient and now she will join the ranks of an esteemed group of past winners," said Prado. "It is truly exciting to recognize Susan during the 11^th annual Gala de Arte of the finest Mexican Museum in the country."

Gala de Arte includes festive music, a sit-down dinner, and dancing along with a silent and live auction of Mexican folk art and other treasures donated by Museum trustees and the Museum's gallery-like gift shop, Tienda Tzintzuntzan. More than 600 guests are expected to attend the event at the Swissotel Chicago.

"The Museum is a cultural and community jewel and a valuable Chicago asset. We are elated to present Susan Crown, one of Chicago's finest, with an award named after an inspiring philanthropist and humanitarian, Art Velasquez," said Museum President & CEO Carlos Tortolero.

Chicagoan Rita Knox, a member of the Museum's Board of Trustees and an art enthusiast who also serves as a board trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago, will be recognized at the Gala de Arte with the Sor Juana Woman of Achievement Award.

To buy tickets, call 312-433-3944 or e-mail [email protected]

About the National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago showcases 3,000 years of creativity from both sides of the Mexican border, connecting visitors to the diversity of authentic Mexican art and culture. Works from the museum's 7,500-piece permanent collection are exhibited in four warm and welcoming bilingual galleries, and the museum's location in Pilsen--the nation's third-largest Mexican community--allows for a total immersion in the richness of Mexico's culture. Admission is always free at the National Museum of Mexican Art, the only nationally accredited Latino museum in the U.S. To learn more, visit http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

About the Arthur R. Velazquez Award
Mr. Arthur R. Velasquez is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Azteca Foods Inc. since 1989. Prior to that, Mr. Velasquez was the Founder of Azteca Corn Products Corporation in 1970 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He has been the Chairman of Azteca Foods Inc. since 1989. Mr. Velasquez serves as the Vice Chairman of Museum of Science and Industry. He serves on the Boards of Directors of LaSalle National Bank National Association, Chicago Metro Board of Junior Achievement, the Maryville City of Youth, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Velasquez serves as a Director of Museum of Science and Industry. He is a Member of Senior Advisory Board at Nogales Investors Management, LLC. Mr. Velasquez served as a Director of Peoples Energy Corporation from 1985 to February 24, 2006. He served as a Director of Arvin Industries Inc. since 1994. Mr. Velasquez is a Graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

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