November 6, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell - (310) 247-3000
                       dnewell@oscars.org

	Pop artist Burton Morris begins painting the 76th Academy Awards commemorative poster at his studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Morris will unveil the completed artwork on Thursday, November 13, during a special event at the Hollywood & Highland complex in Hollywood, California.

Beverly Hills, CA - Pop artist Burton Morris will unveil his design for the 76th Academy Awards^® commemorative poster on Thursday, November 13, at a special event at Hollywood & Highland's Babylon Court.

Burton and Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis will unveil a 36' x 17' version of the poster at the 10 a.m. event. Posters will then go on sale to the public at Babylon Court and Burton will remain to sign them for fans.

Often compared to artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Morris uses simplified lines and rich acrylic colors to put his own distinctive spin on American pop culture items.

"Oscar is a uniquely recognizable symbol, not only in American culture but throughout the world, and I'm both honored and excited to create a design around such an icon," said Morris.

Morris first gained national attention in the mid-1990's when his artwork was chosen to hang on the set of the NBC television series "Friends," where it has remained throughout the show's run. He has created artwork for national campaigns for Absolut Vodka, Perrier, Gallo Winery and AT&T. Morris was recently chosen by the United States Olympic Committee to be an official artist for the U.S. team at the 2004 Games in Athens.

In a nationwide promotional campaign, 50,000 Oscar posters will be distributed beginning in mid-November after the design has been revealed. For the fifth consecutive year, the commemorative poster will be available for purchase beginning on November 13 on the Academy's website, www.oscars.org/publications, or via phone at 1-800-554-1814.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2003 will be presented on Leap Day, Sunday, February 29, 2004, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^® and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST, beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos of Burton Morris are available at http://photos.oscars.org