Santa Monica, January 23, 2003 – Original Doors’ member John Densmore, accompanied by top musicians, will play a set of "tribal jazz" at "For The Love Of The Arts," an art auction to be held Saturday, February 8^th at 20^th Century Fox Studios in Century City. The event will benefit For The Arts, an aggressive campaign launched by the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation to restore arts education programs eliminated over the years by the state budget crisis affecting all schools including the Santa Monica-Malibu public school district.

"If it weren’t for Mr. Armor at Daniel Webster Jr. High, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today – he lit my fire," said Densmore, a Santa Monica native and current resident. "The same educational opportunities should be available to students in our public schools today."

The auction will feature a major collection of contemporary paintings, sculpture and photographic works being offered for sale by more than 60 renowned Los Angeles artists including Frank Gehry, Chuck Arnoldi, John Baldessari, Billy Al Bengston, Ed Moses, Martin Mull, Sam Messer, Astrid Preston, Ed Ruscha, Lita Albuquerque, Peter Alexander, Robbie Conal, Sam Francis, Charles Garabedian, Joe Goode, Kim McCarty, Robin Mitchell, Alexis Smith, Roger Herman and Laddie John Dill among many others.

For The Arts is a community-wide effort to create a $15 million endowment fund that will be used to support public school programs in the Santa Monica-Malibu School District providing instruction in music, visual arts, dance and drama. Administered by the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, the Honorary Committee of For The Arts is co-chaired by actor/director/producer Mel Gibson and producer Greg Coote. Event co-chairs are Yale University School of Art faculty member Sam Messer and former 20^th Century Fox executive Simon Bax.

Admission to the auction will be $125. Entertainment, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. For event information and for information about making contributions to For The Arts contact Linda Gross, Executive Director, (310) 396-4557.

What:      "For The Love Of The Arts," an art auction

When:     Saturday, February 8th, 5pm - 8pm

Where:    20^th Century Fox Studios, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Century City, CA

For The Arts

2118 Wilshire Boulevard     # 206             Santa Monica, CA 90403

(310) 396-4557        smmef@smmusd.org

Media contact, event accreditation:

Rex Weiner      MediaTek

(323) 525-1030        rweiner@mediatekla.com