World-renowned contemporary artist Lee Quiñones has created a historical benevolent project to raise money to aid children and their families affected by Hurricane Katrina. Lee will depart Brooklyn, NY on October 27, 2005 and ride a custom made bicycle about thirty-five days and nearly 1,600 miles to Miami Beach, FL to raise money for this cause. En route, in addition to raising proceeds and awareness for the ongoing need for financial assistance to Katrina’s victims, Lee will create original artwork to grace the frame work of his bicycle, which Brooklyn Machine Works (B.M.W.) [www.brooklynmachineworks.com], an internationally renowned custom bike fabrication firm, has committed to making for Lee’s long journey to Florida.

Upon Lee’s arrival in Miami, the illustrious South Miami Beach hot spot, Buck15 [www.buck15.com], will premier Lee Quinones’ solo art exhibit during the acclaimed Miami Art Basel [www.artbasel.com] on December 2nd, 2005. The show will feature newly created sketches as well as the painted and autographed custom B.M.W. bike that Lee rode to Florida. While Lee’s various sketches will be excluded from the auction, the bike will be auctioned off to the highest bidder as part of Lee’s extensive personal contribution to this cause.

At the conclusion of the Art Basel, a press conference will be held to present our partnership charity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with a check for 100% of the proceeds accrued from corporate and private donations made for Lee’s physical journey to Florida, as well the bike auction monies to ensure it’s direct distribution to Katrina’s survivors. The Mayors of Miami, New Orleans and Biloxi will be invited to attend this historical culmination.

In addition to Lee’s international reputation, this charitable event will attract Art Basel attendees and notable members of Miami’s elite community by embracing the festive vibes that only the boutique venue Buck15 and an accompanying celebrity DJ could bring. Lee’s exhibit will extend through the Miami Art Basel and into Art Miami, running through mid-January, 2006

Of the funds collected for BGCA’s Hurricane Relief fund, 100% will go to aid the young people whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricane Katrina. Your support will make a crucial difference to thousands of kids at a critical and frightening time in their lives.