Celebrity Cruises Partners With ArtCenter/South Florida to Offer Creative, Interactive Program Led by Master Artists

MIAMI, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises has long been recognized for its vast, exceptional collection of contemporary art. With hundreds of original works by both recognized and emerging artists exhibited on every ship in the fleet, and the recent introduction of self-guided tours on an iPad™, Celebrity aims to offer guests who appreciate art ample opportunities to enjoy it. And now, the line is offering an opportunity for guests to create original works of their own, within one of the entirely new venues on Celebrity Silhouette, "The Art Studio."

Located within the distinctive Lawn Club area on the top deck of Celebrity's newest ship, The Art Studio will offer guests a wide variety of lectures, demonstrations and interactive classes ranging from jewelry creation to sketching to painting, all led by master artists, through Celebrity's new partnership with ArtCenter/South Florida.

When Celebrity Silhouette debuts in July of this year, and throughout the ship's European season, guests will have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions with two master artists sourced through the brand's new partnership with ArtCenter/South Florida: Leslie LaCombe and Armando Droulers.

• Leslie LaCombe worked in the art departments of film and television for many years. She then studied silver jewelry design with accomplished artist Billy King in Mexico, and soon found her work on display at a prominent local gallery. She has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, India and Europe, with the various cultures inspiring many of her works. Today, LaCombe resides in Miami, teaches at ArtCenter/South Florida, and continues to produce handcrafted precious stone and metal jewelry in her studio located on Miami's famed South Beach.

• Armando Droulers is an art historian, artist and educator who studied at Bard College, Academia de Arte Federico Brandt, New World School of the Arts, and the University of South Florida. He lectures extensively on art and culture, and also organizes art tours and cultural events across the globe. Droulers has lived in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the U.S., and speaks fluent English, Spanish and French. On Celebrity Silhouette, Droulers will teach drawing, watercolor and collage classes, offer presentations on the history and art of the destinations the ship visits, and will lead art and wine lectures in the ship's sophisticated CellarMasters wine bar, and sketching courses in various ports of call.

Celebrity Silhouette is one of five sleek Celebrity ships offering premium vacation options in Europe this year, from six cosmopolitan departure ports. Celebrity Silhouette sets sail in July, enhancing guests' precious vacation time with a host of industry-first venues and experiences within The Lawn Club. In addition to The Art Studio, the new venues include the interactive "Lawn Club Grill," where guests can select and grill their own meats side-by-side with Celebrity's expert chefs, or have them cooked to order; the relaxing, private, wi-fi-equipped cabanas called "The Alcoves," and "The Porch," a breezy, casual dining spot offering sandwiches, coffees and captivating views of the sea and the ship's lush lawn. Celebrity Silhouette also will present another entirely new venue, "The Hideaway," an intimate, quiet space reminiscent of a childhood tree house.

Opened in 1984, ArtCenter/South Florida is an established access point for well-known and emerging artists and curators. As a Miami-Dade, Florida-based non-profit, the mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual art and culture in the Miami-Dade area. The educational branch offers 125 classes annually for all skill levels, provides summer Art Camp for Kids and is involved in extensive community outreach. Its Lincoln Road location in Miami affords the Center and all of its programs a high level of visibility.

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of the world's top-rated premium cruise line, with spacious, stylish interiors; dining experiences elevated to an art form; personalized service, with a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1; unexpected, trendsetting onboard activities, all designed to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers' precious time. Celebrity sails to Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. One of the fastest-growing major cruise lines, Celebrity's fleet currently consists of nine ships, with two additional Solstice Class ships scheduled to join the fleet: Celebrity Silhouette in July 2011, and Celebrity Reflection in Fall 2012. For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com or call your travel agent.

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises