2016 Italian Street Painting Marin - Ciao Bella Roma

Artwork from over 100 Madonnari (street painters) from the U.S. and around the globe will fill the streets of downtown San Rafael (5th and A streets) at the 2016 Italian Street Painting Marin’s Ciao Bella Roma on June 25 & 26. The Ciao Bella Roma theme (Hello Beautiful Rome!) will transport you to the Eternal City of Rome and will highlight nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture. Tickets are $10 general admission each day, $15 for a 2-day pass, kids 12 and under are free. Hours are Saturday, 10am – 8pm, Sunday 10am – 6pm. To purchase tickets online visit www.ispm.brownpapertickets.com Tickets can also be purchased at the event - cash only. For more information visit www.italianstreetpaintingmarin.org or call 415-884-2423. Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISPMARIN/events

“Every life needs art and this year’s Italian Street Painting Marin event promises to deliver on a truly grand scale,” said Kevin Marlatt, ISPM Executive Director. “I can’t wait to see the extraordinary images that emerge from the streets of San Rafael through the eyes, hearts and hands of the many incredibly talented Madonnari who are participating this year.”

Highlights

· An interactive 3D street painting by Julie Kirk-Purcell of the Roman landmark, the iconic Trevi Fountain

· Bocca della Verità, otherwise known as the Mouth of Truth, created by Pennsylvania sculptor, John A. Mayer.

· The RareArtist Gallery - an art exhibit by EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases’ showcasing the artistic talents of those whose lives are touched by rare disease.

· Special art exhibit featuring the work of Mauricio Saravia, an accomplished painter, poet, musician and actor who passed away from a rare disease in 2008. The exhibit will include one of Mauricio’s original works on loan from ISPM supporter Sean Hepburn Ferrer. His mother is the late Audrey Hepburn, who died of a rare form of cancer.

· Special screenings of the film classic, Roman Holiday - shown at the Christopher B. Smith San Rafael Film Center on Sunday, June 26 at 4:15pm and 7pm in conjunction with the event. Ticket prices are $11.25 for adults, $8.00 for children/seniors. To purchase tickets visit:

http://rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/roman-holiday/

· Children’s Avenue sponsored by Harbor Point Charitable Foundation will showcase the art of children ages 2-12. Cost is $10 and includes a box of chalk pastels to take home.

· Live entertainment from some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians including Stratify, K.I. Nicholas, Deep Blue Jam Band, Bautista, Hands on Fire Band, Dirty Cello, IrieFuse, The 7th Sons, AVE - Acoustic Vocal Ensemble and more.

· Silent auction with great items up for bid including artwork on display from the RareArtist Gallery. PLUS a very special painting of Audrey Hepburn by artist Heiner Meyer and donated by Sean Hepburn Ferrer. Valued at $7,500.

The Tastes and Sips of Italy will be available for purchase at the event, as well as great gift items and collectables. Plus, raffle tickets will also be available for purchase ($5 each or 5 for $20). Prizes include California Film Institute membership, gift certificates to restaurants throughout Marin, a Sonoma County get-away package, Club Seats to a San Francisco Giants game and much more.

Members of the dedicated Marin nonprofit To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation will provide a team of volunteers to help support this year’s Ciao Bella Roma event.

All event proceeds benefit Italian Street Painting Marin and their dedication to supporting arts in the community.

Special thanks to Italian Street Painting Marin’s major sponsors and donors:

Major Sponsors: EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, Harbor Point Charitable Foundation – Children’s Avenue Sponsor, Emil & Jenny Kakkis, Fenwick Foundation, City of San Rafael, Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, Thomas & Julie Ballard, Joe & Sue Carlomagno, Whole Foods Market, First Federal Savings & Loan of San Rafael, Bellam Self Storage & Boxes, Il Davide, California Film Institute, Graham Contractors Inc., Ragghianti Freitas LLP, Cushman & Wakefield, Luther Burbank Savings, Haldan Family, Peter Levi Plumbing Heating & Cooling, Private Ocean Wealth Management, Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty, Mission San Rafael Arcangel, San Rafael Joe’s, Louderback Law Group, PG&E, Flynn Riley Bailey & Pasek LLP, and theSiteFoundry.com.

Media Sponsors: ABC7, Marin Independent Journal, Marin Magazine, Ivarson Brand Vision.

Italian Street Painting Marin, a program of EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, showcases the fine art of street painting and supports quality arts-based projects in Marin County, California. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, a national 501c3 nonprofit, headquartered in Marin County, is dedicated to accelerating biotech innovation for rare disease treatments through science-driven public policy. The Foundation believes that bridging science and the arts enhances health, inspires hope, and changes lives.

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