LOS ANGELES, CA.- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is pleased to announce the selection of the first nine artists for inclusion in LA25 - a project celebrating the firm’s 25th anniversary in Los Angeles through the support of the city’s vibrant young artists’ community. These artists, who have attended some of the most renowned art schools in Los Angeles, are Patterson Beckwith (born 1972), Matthew Jordan (born 1975), Elad Lassry (born 1977), José Álvaro Perdices (born 1971), Jeff Sheng (born 1980), Natalie Shriver (born 1979), Whitney Stolich (born 1975), Lee Thompson (born 1980), and Brenna Youngblood (born 1979). An exhibition of their work will take place in fall 2006.

Over the course of the next three years, LA25 will present the work of 25 artists working in various media who, at the time of selection, have not had previous commercial gallery representation. Harold M. Williams, of counsel at Skadden and President Emeritus of the J. Paul Getty Trust, is overseeing the project. Williams and the Los Angeles office have recruited Ilene Kurtz-Kretzschmar to develop
the project concept and serve as the chief curator. Kurtz-Kretzschmar and a jury of art professionals will make the final selection of the 25 artists whose work will be exhibited over the course of three years. As selections are made, the public may view the work online at www.skadden.com/LA25. LA25 will culminate in an anniversary celebration at the Hammer Museum in 2008, where the works will be exhibited for the evening.

The members of the jury include: John Baldessari, artist; Eungie Joo, Director & Curator, Gallery at REDCAT; Kris Kuramitsu, former Curator for the Collections of Peter Norton and Eileen Harris Norton and former Director of Arts Programs for the Peter Norton Family Foundation; Weston Naef, Curator of Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum; Cathy Opie, artist; Ann Philbin, Director of the Hammer Museum; and, Paul Schimmel, Chief Curator at MOCA. For further information, please visit www.skadden.com/LA25.