New Virtual Art Gallery to Aid Long Island Gang Rehab Group

Online, February 27, 2012 (Newswire.com) - **UPDATE** Long Beach, NY -- American Pop Art, Inc. is proud to announce its new initiative to benefit S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc., a gang prevention and intervention agency based in Uniondale, Long Island. Organizers aim to continue the legacy of legendary pop artist Steve Kaufman (a.k.a. SAK) and his work of aiding former gang members with rehabilitation and their return as productive members of society.

S.T.R.O.N.G. stands for Struggling To Reunite Our New Generation. As part of the new initiative, ten percent of sales from the American Pop Art, Inc. virtual gallery at www.americanpopartinc.com will go to S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. programs, which include workshops, community partnerships, gang hot spot location services, and a rehabilitative employment program. During his lifetime, Steve Kaufman's "Give Kids a Break Fund" aided approximately 2,000 troubled youth. February 12, 2012 marked the 2-year anniversary of the American pop artistâ•'s death.

Through youth empowerment programs and activities that promote positive values, S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. gives young men and women the tools to eliminate negative behaviors associated with gang involvement. S.T.R.O.N.G. reaches thousands on a yearly basis through its work in juvenile detention centers, jails, prisons, alternative schools, and communities.

For more information about S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc., please call 516-483-1350 or visit www.strongyouth.com. For more information about Steve Kaufmanâ•'s life and his art, please visit www.americanpopartinc.com. For art inquiries, please contact Diana Vachier at [email protected].

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Long Beach Woman Launches Virtual Art Gallery
in Memory of Famed American Pop Artist Steve Kaufman

February 17, 2012 / Long Beach, NY -- Two years after the legendary pop artist's death, a Long Beach woman has launched this week a virtual art gallery in memory of the late Steve Alan Kaufman, with the hopes of continuing the artist's legacy of helping people in need. Steve Alan Kaufman, who signed his paintings as SAK, passed away due to heart complications on February 12, 2010, at the age of 49.

Born December 29, 1960, Steve Alan Kaufman is remembered as one of the greatest American pop artists and a generous humanitarian. Former assistant to Andy Warhol, Steve Kaufman's paintings made their way into the homes and hearts of many people worldwide, capturing the true American pop art experience.

Diana Vachier of Long Beach, NY has worked with Steve Kaufman since 2001, when she first opened her gallery American Pop Art, Inc. exclusively dedicated to his art. Fascinated by the man, his art, and his character, Diana Vachier hopes the new online gallery at www.americanpopartinc.com will expose Steve Kaufman's art to younger generations and a broader worldwide audience. In his honor and tradition of charitable works, twenty percent of proceeds from selected paintings will go to a charity of the buyer's choice.

Steve Kaufman's timeless subjects included Coca Cola, Marilyn Monroe, Mozart, Beethoven, Wizard of Oz, Mohammad Ali, his money series, and his paintings of famous singers, actors and icons. His audience was vast and large, and the artist made numerous contributions to society. Steve Kaufman launched and operated the "Give Kids a Break Fund," a successful charity which helped inner city kids from troubled homes and often straight out of jail. He gave these kids a job and his trust when no one else would, allowing them opportunities that they would have never had.

"Steve Kaufman was a legend, from his warm smile and generous heart, to his ability to tell a great story and his incredible knack of making every day an adventure filled with humor, drama, and laughter," Diana Vachier said.

Additional artwork will be added to www.americanpopartinc.com including his "museum art," the best of his works intended for museum display, plus photos with some of his celebrity clients.

Steve Kaufman's paintings are exhibited in nine museums including the Zeughaus Museum in Germany, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Hot Springs AK, The Motown Museum in Detroit, MI, The Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum in Memphis, TN, The American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Alabama, The Coca Cola Contemporary Art Museum in Atlanta Georgia and two presidential libraries.

For more information about Steve Kaufman's life and his art, please visit www.americanpopartinc.com. For art inquiries, please contact Diana Vachier at [email protected].

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