News Release
Legacy Print Will Commemorate Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood: All Living Governors to Sign Collectors Print
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Feb. 25, 2008 – Eight of Alaska’s governors will sign a limited edition giclée print, entitled Legacy of Alaska, to raise funds for Alaska’s 50th anniversary celebration of Alaska statehood. The $1,500 print is available by reservation at Artique, Ltd.
“The 50th anniversary of Statehood provides Alaskans with a unique opportunity to capture the attention of the world by highlighting the state’s distinctive history and bright future,” says Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. “This print will help Statehood Celebration coordinators raise funds for the amazing festivities planned to mark this momentous occasion.”
The heirloom print, taken from a painting by Sydney Laurence depicting Alaska’s largest mountain, Denali (Mt. McKinley), is from the art collection of the Alaska National Insurance Company and will be limted to 950 copies.
“The idea for the Legacy of Alaska print came from a similar fundraising effort conducted in 1984 to raise monies for Alaska’s 25th anniversary,” says Tennys Owens, Artique, Ltd. owner and Anchorage Statehood Celebration Organizer. “Heritage of Alaska by Fred Macetanz, was signed at the time by all five of Alaska’s governors and sold out in hours. Legacy of Alaska is also destined to become an overnight collector’s item.”
Legacy of Alaska will carry the personal signatures of former governors Mike Stepovich, Walter Hickel, Keith Miller, Bill Sheffield, Steve Cowper, Tony Knowles and Frank Murkowski, as well as the state’s current governor, Sarah Palin. Legacy of Alaska will be the first document in Alaska’s history to be signed by eight of the state’s surviving 10 governors.
The proceeds from this rare edition of prints will assist in funding six months of Alaska’s 50th Anniversary commemorative and celebratory events, legacy projects and history awareness campaigns in Anchorage. A donation of $750 dollars from each purchase will go to the Anchorage Celebration Commission though the Alaska Community Foundation.
Prints are available on a first-come, first-serve, basis. Reservations can by made by calling (907) 277-1663, or in person at Artique Ltd., 314 G Street, in downtown Anchorage. The print can be paid for in full, or reserved with a down payment of $750 dollars, with the final payment due on May 31, 2008.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration kickoff, hosted by Anchorage, will begin in June 2008, with numerous events planned through Statehood Day, Jan. 3, 2009.
Legacy of Alaska prints personally signed by:
Governor Mike Stepovich (1957 – 1958)
Governor Walter J. Hickel (1966 – 1969 and 1990 – 1994)
Governor Keith Miller (1969 – 1970)
Governor Bill Sheffield (1982-1986)
Governor Steve Cowper (1986 – 1990)
Governor Tony Knowles (1994 – 2002)
Governor Frank Murkowski (2002 – 2006)
Governor Sarah Palin (2006 – present)
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic and Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.
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Media Contacts:
Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
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