National Corvette Museum Announces Car Part Art Exhibit, Solicits Entries

In an effort to promote recycling and reuse, the National Corvette Museum is hosting a special "Car Part Art" exhibit September 18, 2015 through January 8, 2016 featuring works created from recycled car parts. Applications to exhibit are now being accepted with a $20 fee. Artists have until July 31 to apply to participate, and finished works will be accepted August 1 until August 31. Schools, businesses, non-profits, teams and individual artists are invited to submit ideas for consideration.

"We have seen a number of cool pieces of art made from everything from hub caps to tires and thought that doing our own exhibit would be a great way to not only convert trash to treasure, but also create an amazing display in our Exhibit Hall," said Katie Frassinelli, Museum Marketing & Communications Manager.

The Museum is working with guest curator Andee Rudloff to secure artists and develop the exhibit. "The response to this exhibit from the arts community has been great! I think visitors will be impressed with the caliber of works on display," Rudloff added.

Rudloff will also be working to secure around ten featured artists for the exhibit. Sponsorships are available for the featured pieces, and the sponsor businesses have the option to display the piece after the Museum's exhibit closes in January.

Artists and businesses interested in getting involved can visit www.carpartart.org to view and download information and registration forms.

In addition to the contest and featured works, the Museum has partnered with Michelin, the Official Tire of the National Corvette Museum and NCM Motorsports Park, to display several entries from the InTIREnational Art Contest. The contest, held in Upstate, South Carolina, near Michelin’s headquarters in Greenville, challenged schools, businesses and nonprofits to convert ordinary, scrap tires into extraordinary works of art. Michelin awarded $10,000 to two local charities on behalf of the winning artworks. The works to be displayed include an Eiffel Tower, dragon, Nelson Mandela sculpture and more.

The National Corvette Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is located at 350 Corvette Drive in Bowling Green, KY just off I-65 exit 28 and is open daily, 8am to 5pm CT. Learn more about the Museum at www.corvettemuseum.org.

National Corvette Museum and Motorspots Park Announces Three-Year Partnership with Michelin

The National Corvette Museum (NCM), over 1,000 Corvette enthusiasts and the community of Bowling Green gathered to celebrate the first official sponsorship of the NCM Motorsports Park. Michelin, a global tire manufacturer, has committed to a three-year sponsorship deal.

The sponsorship will name Michelin as the official tire of the NCM Motorsports Park and will provide the company with product privileges and displays at both the Museum and Park.
Michelin will also serve as the presenting sponsor for three events to be held at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the term of the contract.

“Michelin is pleased to extend our relationship with the Corvette community to include the exciting new NCM Motorsports Park,” said Silvia Mammone, motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager, Michelin North America.

“Since the Michelin technical partnership with Corvette Racing began in 2004, we have developed a strong relationship with Corvette owners and enthusiasts through the Corvette car corrals, the Ron Fellows Driving School at Spring Mountain, and more recently the National Corvette Museum,” said Mammone. “The fact that every new Corvette C7 Stingray and ZO6 Corvette now rolls out of Bowling Green exclusively on Michelin tires aligns perfectly with the launch of the NCM Motorsports Park and our growing relationship with the Corvette Nation.”

The NCM broke ground on the $25 million, 184-acre, dual-track Motorsports Park in June of 2013 and the venue is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors each year. This will bring an estimated impact of $15 million in motorsports tourism and racing events revenues.

“In 2008 we purchased our first piece of land for a future motorsports park, and in 2013 we held our groundbreaking ceremony.  During that 5-year period our fundraising was primarily grassroots efforts – with key support from Corvette and automotive enthusiasts including individuals, clubs and small business owners,” stated Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the NCM. “This sponsorship from Michelin gives the project a big boost of momentum.  We are excited about the opportunities a partnership between Michelin, the Motorsports Park and the Museum will bring.”

In addition to the two circuits that combine to form a high speed loop of 1.96 miles to an extended 3.15 mile course, the park will also feature a control tower with classrooms, offices and meeting spaces; garages; a fueling station; overnight camping; and commercial property available for businesses that complement the operations of the park.   

“The National Corvette Museum has been a staple in the Bowling Green community since it first opened its doors and continues to be a contributor to the local economy attracting 150,000 visitors annually. Not only will the addition of the Motorsports Park increase the significant economic impact on the community, but the additional services and venues that will be available at the park will further the value of the region as an automotive hub. We are proud to be home to America’s Sports Car,” stated John Mark Fones, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman.

To date, there are already more than 130 days booked at the track in the first year.

“In addition to the opportunities this sponsorship brings to the Motorsports Park, Museum and Michelin, we look forward to also working with Michelin as a customer at the Park for possible product launches, testing and consumer activities,” stated Mitch Wright, Motorsports Park General Manager.

The park is accepting reservations for car and motorcycles clubs, businesses, driving schools and other groups for racing events, high performance drivers’ education, corporate events and hospitality and other track functions. All makes and models are welcome.

For more information on the NCM Motorsports Park, visit http://www.motorsportspark.org/