The Fate of One of Keith Haring's Largest Pieces of Artwork Ever Painted Announced at NOMO SOHO Hotel Wednesday June 24th at 11am

New NOMO SOHO Hotel chosen for major announcement based on Haring's SoHo neighborhood roots

News provided by

The CityKids Foundation; NOMO SOHO Hotel

Jun 23, 2015, 10:34 ET

NEW YORK, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In an announcement that is sure to rock the art world, the fate and future of one of Keith Haring's largest pieces of artwork ever created will be announced this coming Wednesday, June 24^th at 11am. The CityKids Foundation and the new NOMO SOHO Hotel have joined forces for this major news conference.

Keith Haring's "CityKids Speak on Liberty" Banner

In 1986, the banner (90' x 30' feet or six stories) titled, "CityKids Speak on Liberty" was painted by legendary artist and renowned SoHo resident, Keith Haring, in conjunction with The CityKids Foundation. This one of a kind piece of art depicts one of Haring's most beloved images, The Statue of Liberty. Additionally, it is often referred to as one of the most meaningful pieces in the entire Haring oeuvre. The mural commemorates the Statue of Liberty on her 100^th birthday and consists of a black, pop-art outline of Lady Liberty on a yellow nylon background, which exhibits the personal interpretations of what liberty meant to them.

The painting was conceived over a three-day period, in which 1,000 young people (CityKids) from all over New York City gathered at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to collaborate with Haring in the creation of this incredible work of art. The completed banner was originally debuted at Liberty Tower in Battery Park City over the Fourth of July celebration in 1986, and has subsequently been exhibited in select cities such as Milan, Italy; Paris, France and was featured as a backdrop of Paul McCartney's pre-game show at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. This will be the first time the banner has been unveiled in New York City in more than two decades.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of The CityKids Foundation, an organization that empowers young people ages 13 to 22 through cutting edge youth development, arts and educational programs that provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in school, the workplace, and in life.

This major announcement at NOMO SOHO hotel celebrates the life and memory of one of the art world's most iconic and respected pop culture artists—and coincides with the 25^th year of Haring's passing. Given that Keith Haring is an artistic figure in the SoHo neighborhood, NOMO SOHO was hand-picked by The CityKids Foundation as the ideal location for the announcement as the hotel pays tribute to the nostalgia of the neighborhood while still keeping current with the times.

WHAT:	The fate of one of Keith Haring's largest pieces of artwork ever painted announced

WHO:	Laurie Meadoff, President and Founder of The CityKids Foundation
	Julia Gruen, Executive Director of the Keith Haring Foundation
	Malik Yoba, star of FOX show Empire and Former Vice President of CityKids
	Steven Prescod, CityKid, discovered by Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for his one man show, Brooklyn Boy
	NOMO SOHO Hotel Executives
	SoHo residents from the past and current (VIPs, notables, influencers, socialites)
	Special message from legendary artist Kenny Scharf

WHERE:	NOMO SOHO Hotel (9 Crosby Street, New York, NY 10013)

WHEN:	Wednesday, June 24, 2015
	Media check in: 10:45AM
	Press Conference: 11:00AM