PRESS RELEASE

CELEBRITIES CHANNEL SPIRIT OF THE MONA LISA FOR A GOOD CAUSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 4, 2011, Los Angeles, CA - The Mona Lisa Project, a unique picture storybook in which celebrities and artists portray an array of famous female figures in the ever-iconic Mona Lisa pose, is now available for purchase just in time for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Through modern-day snapshots and vignettes based on and inspired by the eternally enigmatic portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, participants- including celebrities such as Sarah Silverman posed as Snow White, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Wonder Woman, and The Practice's Camryn Manheim as The Mona Lisa- will raise awareness for the needs real women face on a daily basis. Proceeds of the book will directly benefit three women’s charities: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance (LABCA) and a local Los Angeles-based non-profit, Topanga Women's Circle (TWC). Los Angeles photographer and women's advocate, Val Patterson (The Pink Project), collaborated with writer Sophie Kipner (host of Channel 101's Everything) and artist Giorgia Horrell to render each icon- from Marie Antoinette to Frida Kahlo to Hillary Clinton- a masterpiece of its own kind, all in the name of charity.

Participants of The Mona Lisa charity project include a wide spectrum of artists, actors, educators, models, musicians, writers and celebrities such as Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program, Jesus is Magic), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer, The Audrey Hepburn Story, The Client List), Camryn Manheim (Ghost Whisperer, The Practice), Tina Majorino (Big Love, Veronica Mars, Napoleon Dynamite), Erika Alexander (La Mission, Living Single, The Cosby Show), Ingrid Michaelson (Musician), Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up, Paper Heart), and many more.

During the month of October, The Mona Lisa Project photo storybook will be released and sold exclusively on the website, http://themonalisaproject.com. Proceeds from the book will benefit three women's charities:

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN is the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotlines (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org), which have helped more than 1.5 million people since 1994. Musical recording artist Tori Amos served as the organization's first celebrity spokesperson. To learn more, visit: rainn.org.

Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance (LABCA)
Formed in 1992, LABCA is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping in the eradication of breast cancer through advocacy, education and community involvement. It serves all of Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas.

Topanga Women's Circle (TWC)
Based in Topanga, California, TWC is an organization of volunteers committed to making a difference to homeless families as they move into transitional shelters. They provide new and like-new items, such as beddings, fresh towels, rugs, children's clothing, books and toys.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please visit http://TheMonaLisaProject.com


MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS:

Contact:
Val Patterson,
Creator, The Mona Lisa Project
Tel: +1 (310) 308-8994
Contact@TheMonaLisaProject.com