The Creative Coalition and Renaissance Hotels Inspire Discovery

“The Art of Discovery” Set to Hit Shelves This Fall
Shares Personal Moments from World’s Most Recognizable Faces

NEW YORK, NY, USA – MAY 20, 2014 – The Creative Coalition, the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community, with sponsorship from Renaissance Hotels, announces the upcoming launch of an inspiring book and traveling art exhibit, “The Art of Discovery.” Available on October 7, 2014, the book, published by Rizzoli, a premier retailer and publisher, features insightful stories edited by The Creative Coalition’s CEO Robin Bronk and accompanied by one hundred color portraits of celebrities shot by renowned photographer Jeff Vespa.  “The Art of Discovery” is designed by typographer and award-winning art director Nancy Rouemy.

Through beautiful narrative and imagery, “The Art of Discovery” book showcases moments of discovery from luminaries such as actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly, Zach Braff, Adam Driver, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jonathan Groff, Michael C. Hall, Marcia Gay Harden, Ethan Hawke, Amber Heard, Cheryl Hines, Kate Hudson, Anna Kendrick, Nicole Kidman, Jared Leto, John Leguizamo, Jeremy Renner, Seth Rogan, Mark Ruffalo, Gabourey Sidibe, Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, Forest Whitaker, Shailene Woodley, and others who share the heart pounding, heart stopping and heartwarming moments of their lives.  From Jane Lynch’s first stage debut to Kurt Russell revealing the most sacred details of the first few hours of his newborn son’s life, “The Art of Discovery” is a collection of revelations from the world’s most celebrated artists.

“The Art of Discovery is a look ‘under the skirt’ of Hollywood’s most inspirational luminaries.  Each spread is an adventure. We are so proud of our sponsorship with Renaissance Hotels to unveil these very personal stories of inspiration,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition.  “Proceeds from the book will support The Creative Coalition’s mission to ensure that arts in education and public arts thrive and flourish in our nation.”

The Art of Discovery Exhibit
This October, Renaissance Hotels will host a traveling photography exhibit to accompany “The Art of Discovery” book launch, kicking off in New York City and visiting several other cities.  Open to consumers and hotel guests, the art exhibit will showcase life-size portraits featured in the book with behind-the-scenes footage and testimonials from the participants in the book. An exhibit tour schedule will be announced later this summer.

Live Life to Discover
Renaissance Hotels has sponsored this literary project and invested in the production of this art exhibition as part of its ongoing brand promise to help guests “Live Life to Discover.” Renaissance understands that today’s next generation lifestyle business traveler goes out of their way to make time to discover when on a business trip.

“Renaissance Hotels and The Creative Coalition share the same values to support the arts.  As part of this sponsorship, The Creative Coalition has arranged an extraordinary ensemble of deeply personal stories that connect back to the vision of Renaissance Hotels, which encourages today’s modern traveler to ignite their own curiosity and make discoveries through music, film, art, photography and literature while on the road.  Having Rizzoli onboard to publish the collection was equally important to us as they bring some of the most beautiful books in the world to consumers,” says Toni Stoeckl, vice president for Renaissance Hotels. “Bringing the rich content of the book to life in our lobbies through the special exhibitions allows busy travelers to discover something new and interesting, even if they only have a few free minutes before a meeting.”

Capture Your Personal Moment of Discovery
The Creative Coalition and Renaissance Hotels will invite consumers to share their personal stories of inspiration on Facebook this fall for a chance to win an Art of Discovery experience of their own. One lucky winner will be flown to Southern California and stay at the Renaissance Hotel Esmeralda.  While there, they will sit down for an interview with book curators and a photo shoot with Jeff Vespa to capture their very own moment of discovery.  The promotion will run on the Renaissance Hotel Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RenaissanceHotels and more details on how to enter will be announced closer to the Fall launch.

“The Art of Discovery” book is available for pre-order for $45.00 at www.renhotels.com and will be on sale at all major book retailers and online from October 7, 2014. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “The Art of Discovery” will go to support the arts advocacy programs of The Creative Coalition.

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ABOUT THE CREATIVE COALITION
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan charity of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition uses the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning public service and advocacy campaigns. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s president.

ABOUT RENAISSANCE
Renaissance Hotels encourages guests to Live Life to DiscoverSM at more than 155 hotels in 35 countries around the world.   Each hotel is unique and every stay offers an opportunity to explore local discoveries exclusive to the destination.  At every hotel, Renaissance Navigators are local experts ready to assist guests in discovering local flavors and activities.  Signature RLife LIVE entertainment events are designed to showcase emerging talent in music, the arts, culinary and more to inspire discovery. R.E.N. Meetings offers groups an experience beyond a traditional meeting rooted in creative sensory meeting design, RLife LIVE networking events and custom curated local Navigator excursions.   At Renaissance Hotels, we work to ensure that every trip is transformed into an eye-opening, unforgettable journey. You spend your life working, you should discover the world as you go. To discover more visit www.renhotels.com.
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/RenHotels
Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/RenHotels

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jeff Vespa is a photographer and the CEO and founder of Verge. He is also one of the cofounders of WireImage, the largest entertainment photo agency in the world. He was previously the editor-at-large for LIFE.com and the West Coast special projects editor of Los Angeles Confidential magazine. Robin Bronk is an author and CEO of The Creative Coalition.  She is a frequent speaker on the role of entertainment in advocacy and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, People, Boston Globe, The Washington Post; and is a guest commentator on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, PBS, Fox and other broadcast outlets.  Ms. Bronk is a contributor to The Huffington Post, has edited two other books, “Art & Soul” and “If You Had Five Minutes With the President,” and pens a weekly “Five Minutes…” column for The Hill newspaper.

ABOUT RIZZOLI
Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italian communications giant RCS Media Group.  Rizzoli began its publishing operation in 1974 and has since become an industry leader in the fields of art, architecture, interior design, photography, haute couture, and gastronomy.  In 1990 the Universe imprint was added, marking Rizzoli’s entrée into the pop-culture worlds of humor, fashion, beauty, sports, performing arts, and gay and alternative lifestyles. Universe also publishes economical versions of Rizzoli books, and it is under the Universe imprint that the company publishes its highly successful calendar program. In 2008 a new imprint for the house was established called Skira Rizzoli, with the goal of expanding the company’s presence in museum-related publishing, and in 2011, Rizzoli established Ex Libris, an imprint dedicated to publishing up-market literary fiction and nonfiction with a transatlantic character.

CONTACT:           Jessica Shoer
EMAIL:                  jshoer@thecreativecoalition.org
PHONE:                646-717-9912

CONTACT:           Catherine Leitner
EMAIL:                  catherine.leitner@marriott.com
PHONE:                646-726-4599

CONTACT:           Kelly McKenna
EMAIL:                  kmckenna@talktocurrent.com
PHONE:                212-445-8380

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