1. Media Contact:
(310) 899-2900
Donald Wilson
dwilson@mcraigassociates.com
Deborah Blackford
blkfrd@earthlink.net
MORENO VALLEY MALL BRINGS THE ARTS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Empty Bowl Project Pairs Local Artists with the Homeless and
Vans Custom Culture Gives High School Art Students a Chance to Win $50,000
(Moreno Valley, CA) – January 10, 2014 –In addition to being the top shopping
destination in the area, Moreno Valley Mall is also known for its strong ties to the
community. In 2014, they will continue to cultivate their relationship by bringing the arts
to the shopping center to include The Empty Bowl Project and Vans Custom Culture.
“Moreno Valley Mall is more than just a neighborhood shopping and lifestyle center,”
said Heather Bordner-Ayyob, Marketing Manager for Moreno Valley Mall. “We are part
of the community and with that honor Moreno Valley Mall continues to incorporate new
and exciting programs such as art and culture.”
The Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation (MVCAF) partners with The Salvation
Army and the Moreno Valley Unified Schools to engage 80 local artists and 20
homeless students with artist mentors with The Empty Bowl Project. The Project is
designed for each participant to transform a plain wooden bowl into a piece of art using
the theme, Homeless and Hunger.
Students from Valley View High School will create two documentaries: one is to track
the creative process from start to finish and the other is to examine the daily challenges
faced by homeless students and their families. The Vanguard Community Art Gallery –
located on the Upper Level at Moreno Valley Mall – will exhibit the bowls in May and the
MVCAF will premiere both documentaries and exhibit the completed bowls in June. The
Salvation Army will hold a silent auction fundraiser of the bowls. All exhibitions and
documentary viewing is free and open to the community.
The public can create a bowl, mentor a homeless student or participate in the
documentary by calling the Vanguard Community Art Gallery at 951-697-9022
(appointments are encouraged). Bowls will be available for pick-up starting on January
17.
Vans, the original skate shoe manufacturer gives high school art students a chance to
win $50,000 for their art programs with the Custom Culture art competition. Schools
across the United States will compete for a chance to win money for their art programs.
Registered schools will receive four pairs of blank Vans sneakers to be customized in
four themes: Art, Music, Action Sports and Local Flavor. The top five finalists will be
flown to New York City for an exclusive final event where the winner will be selected.
The grand prize winning school will receive $50,000 for their art program and the
chance for their shoes to be produced and sold in Vans' retail stores. The four runner-up

2. schools will also receive money for their art programs. Registration for the contest is
currently open and ends on February 14. The public will have an opportunity to vote for
their favorite shoes and the winner will be announced in June. For more information and
to register, visit www.Vans.com/CustomCulture/.
For more information, visit www.MorenoValleyMall.com.
About Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation:
As partners, Moreno Valley Mall and The Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation
opened the Vanguard Community Art Gallery at the mall in August 2012. Founded in
1986, the non-profit MVCAF has fostered the successful beginnings of several
community arts programs. The MVCAF is currently charting a new course to provide
opportunities to artists of all disciplines. It is the expressed purpose of the MVCAF to
support the cultural, visual, and performing arts within the City of Moreno Valley.
About Moreno Valley Mall:
Moreno Valley Mall is managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group. The center is home to
130 exciting stores and restaurants including Harkins Theatres, Round1, Victoria’s
Secret, Zales, Aeropostale, Express, Footlocker, Forever 21, Hollister, The Children’s
Place and New York & Co. Conveniently located off the 60 Freeway at Town Circle in
Moreno Valley, the center is anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney and Sears. For more
information, hours, and a store directory, please call (951) 653-1177 or visit,
www.MorenoValleyMall.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
About Spinoso Real Estate Group:
Spinoso Real Estate Group is a fast-growing national real estate firm, specializing in
Enclosed Shopping Mall and Large-Scale Retail Properties. The firm offers a range of
services for the leasing property management, repositioning, development, stabilization,
master planning and analysis of retail-based commercial real estate.
###