AN ART EXHIBIT TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: - by Samuel J. Formica

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AN ART EXHIBIT TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: SAMUEL FORMICA FINDS A USE FOR THOSE OLD CORKS. Philadelphia, PA, June 5^, 2009… PINOT, the popular wine accessories superstore in Old City, announces a special exhibition presenting the works of nationally acclaimed painter Samuel J. Formica. The art opening will take place on June 5^th the first Friday in June. First Friday in Old City, is a monthly event that takes place on the first Friday of every month, attracting art lovers of all kinds who enjoy the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries. Most of the galleries stay open until 9 p.m. Formica’s work came to prominence in 2003 when his painting Looking to the Future became part of the Ben Franklin Tercentenary Exhibit and was lauded by US presidents, including Bill Clinton, George H.W Bush and Gerald Ford for its powerful depiction of America’s history. This stunning painting is on display at the Franklin Institute, and has been published in numerous books and magazines including Ben Franklin In Search Of A Better World by Yale University Press. In 2007 Samuel was chosen one of the top 200 painters in America by Kennedy publishing. On June 5^th, PINOT will be sharing another side of Formica’s work -- his love of wine. Formica began collecting wine corks ten years ago while working as a bartender at Ristorante Panorama, an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia with a world class wine bar. One day in 2004, he got an idea for a series of wine paintings that would utilize the corks he had collected. The result: LeQuattro Stagione del Vino, four separate paintings depicting the four seasons of wine. Each of the four paintings measures 36” x 64” and is made up of 48 small canvasses. Dense in texture and rich in color his careful composition has led him to international recognition. Eight paintings including the Quattro Stagione series will be on display at Pinot throughout the month of June; this will be the first time in more than ten years that a group of Formica’s works has been exhibited. The artist will be signing special limited-edition lithographs prints designed exclusively for PINOT to celebrate their up-coming 3 year anniversary. Wine and cheese will be served.

PINOT is gaining popularity among Philadelphia wine lovers for its wide variety of corkscrews, stemware, wine furniture, one-of-a-kind wine caddies and custom wine cellars–- as the tagline states: “everything but the grape.” In 2008 PINOT, located at 227 Market Street, was awarded Philadelphia Magazine’s coveted Best of Philly ® award for Best Specialty Shop. PINOT is also home of The Wine School at PINOT, the Old City branch of The Wine School of Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-627-WINE (9463) or visit http://www.pinotboutique.com/.