THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA PRESENTS:TONY BENNETT: CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF ARTISTRY

NEW YORK, April 5, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tony Bennett is one of the world's premier entertainers, well-known for having enthralled generations with his iconic songs and beloved voice for more than 50 years. In addition to his talent behind the microphone, Tony is also an accomplished painter. The unique, new Paley Center exhibit, Tony Bennett: Celebrating 90 Years of Artistry, features nearly 40 of Tony's original paintings paired with screenings of classic TV performances. The exhibit will open at the Paley Center's New York location on May 4, 2017 and run through June 18, 2017.

What started out as chalk drawings on the sidewalk of Tony's childhood home in Astoria, Queens, has grown into an incredibly successful artistic endeavor. Several of Tony's paintings have been commissioned by such organizations as the United Nations and the Kentucky Derby, as well as private collectors including President Bill Clinton, Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Robert DeNiro, Katie Couric, and the late Frank Sinatra. The selected paintings in Tony Bennett: Celebrating 90 Years of Artistry will cover such subjects as world travels, New York, fellow musicians, and self-portraits. Paired along with Tony's classic TV performances, the combination of these two artistries brings a very special dimension to the exhibit.
 
In addition, visitors to the exhibit can watch Tony's most recent television special, Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come, on the big screen in the Paley Center's Bennack Theater every Saturday at 4:00 pm during the exhibit's run. The special, which was broadcast on NBC this past December, is a celebration of Tony's 90th birthday and features tributes from the music industry's most prominent artists. Admission to the gallery and screenings is free.
 
"The Paley Center for Media is honored to present Tony Bennett: Celebrating 90 Years of Artistry," said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center's President & CEO. "The Paley Center is known for presenting exhibits that capture the best of what art and entertainment have to offer, and our collaboration with Tony is no exception. Visitors to the exhibit will have the rare opportunity to see another side to this beloved entertainer and true Renaissance man."
 
"I am thrilled to have an exhibition of my paintings presented at The Paley Center for Media alongside highlight footage of the musical performances I have made on television through the years," said Tony Bennett. "Music and painting have been passions of mine since I was a child growing up in New York City, so it's an honor to have them recognized by the Paley Center, which is located right near the site of the grocery store my family owned when they immigrated to America from Italy."
 
Paley Center Supporting and Patron Members will have the opportunity preview the exhibit before it opens to the public at a private reception with Tony Bennett. This reception is only one of the many benefits of Paley Center Membership. To learn more about this event and other Paley Memberships benefits, please visit paleycenter.org/join-us.
 
For more information on Tony Bennett: Celebrating 90 Years of Artistry, please visit paley.me/bennett.
 
Media Contact:
Teresa Brady, 212-621-6697, tbrady@paleycenter.org
 
About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org