NEW YORK - A remarkable group of today’s most important visual artists have joined to support the Drug Policy Alliance, the country’s leading organization promoting drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights.  Among the forty plus artists donating work are Louise Bourgeois, Francesco Clemente, Ed Ruscha, and Christopher Wool.

Artist and activist Anthony Papa is another artist who donated a piece. Papa began painting while behind bars on Rockefeller drug charges, and his painting "15 Years to Life" was shown in the Whitney Museum while he was still incarcerated. Media attention generated by the piece eventually led Governor Pataki to grant him clemency.

In addition to the artists who have donated their work, a number of other prominent people have lent their support to the event by joining the benefit committee. This group includes Montel Williams, Lauren Hutton, Arianna Huffington and Jann Wenner. The honorary co-chairs of the event include George Soros, Jason Flom, Mathilde Krim and Peter Lewis. Cheim & Read gallery donated the space for the evening.

"We are amazed and grateful that so many leading artists are willing to support our work," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. "Their donations of time and art will empower our efforts to reform draconian drug laws that cause so much more harm than good."

What: An art sale to benefit the Drug Policy Alliance, with cocktails and a benefit exhibition.
Where: Cheim & Read, 547 West 25th Street, New York City
When: Tuesday, March 29th, 2005, 6-8 P.M.

For more information about the event, visit www.drugpolicy.org/artbenefit.