Celebrated Pop Artist Burton Morris Creates Commemorative Artwork for Andre Agassi's Tenth Anniversary Grand Slam for Children Benefit Concert

Celebrated Pop Artist Burton Morris Creates Commemorative Artwork for Andre Agassi's Tenth Anniversary Grand Slam for Children Benefit Concert

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally renowned pop-culture artist Burton Morris has created a commemorative artwork for Andre Agassi's Tenth Anniversary Grand Slam for Children benefit concert to be held in Las Vegas on October 1. In the bold, energetic style for which Morris is known, the artwork entitled "Earth Heart" will become a lasting symbol of the concert event.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050922/LATH103 )

The Grand Slam for Children presented by Genworth Financial benefits the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF), a not-for-profit organization established in 1994 to assist at-risk youth in Las Vegas, Agassi's hometown. More than 68,000 guests have attended nine Grand Slam events, raising more than $42 million for charity.

"With this painting I am able to express a universal message of peace and love," Morris said. "As the Andre Agassi Foundation helps us to learn the importance of love in a child's life, it is my hope that this painting will inspire the youth of today to grow up in a world where peace and love prevail." Morris and Agassi will together unveil the artwork during a special reception at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy on Friday, September 30. The artwork will also be the centerpiece of a live auction, held just prior to the benefit concert.

Presented by Genworth Financial, the 10th Grand Slam for Children on Saturday, October 1 will feature a superstar line-up of entertainers including Celine Dion, Duran Duran, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Lopez, Glenn Frey, Mary J. Blige, Robin Williams and a special surprise guest who will take the stage to support the Foundation and its beneficiaries.

Morris' creation of the commemorative artwork for this year's Grand Slam is the latest in a long roster of high-profile projects. Most recently, Major League Baseball selected Morris as the "Official Artist for the 2006 MLB All-Star Game." Morris also was selected by the United States Olympic Team as an official artist for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Thirty-five original paintings interpreting the spirit of the Olympic Games created for the International Olympic Museum are currently on tour in the United States.

Morris first gained national attention in the mid-1990s when his artwork was chosen to hang on the set of the NBC hit television series "Friends." Over the years, his artwork has also been selected for the 76th Academy Awards(R), the Paris World Cup Soccer Games and the 38th Montreux Jazz Festival. He has created signature artwork for Absolut Vodka, H.J. Heinz Corporation and Perrier among many others. In addition, Morris' artwork has raised millions of dollars for countless charities worldwide.

About the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation

The AACF, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity, was created to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The Foundation strives to assist those underprivileged, abused and abandoned children who may be deprived of basic options in life. The AACF also offers a combination of emotional, physical and academic programs designed to enhance a child's character, self-esteem and career possibilities.

About Genworth Financial

Genworth (NYSE:GNW) is a leading insurance holding company, serving the lifestyle protection, retirement income, investment and mortgage insurance needs of more than 15 million customers, and has operations in 24 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and more than a dozen other European countries. For more information, visit www.genworth.com.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050922/LATH103 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation

CONTACT: Catherine Levy, or Erica D. Johnson, both of R&R Partners, +1-702-228-0222, for Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation; or Alan Smith, Burton Morris POP, +1-412-969-5145

Web site: http://www.genworth.com/

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