Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma exhibit.

Ford Motor Company’s Mercury brand has signed on to sponsor “Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma,” a series of actress Salma Hayek paintings by renowned film director Robert Rodriguez and accomplished muralist George Yepes. The exhibition features 16 acrylic on canvas paintings, each eight by five feet in size and will be on display at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Texas, from April 7 until June 18, 2006.

The sponsorship of the “Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma” art series exhibition reflects Mercury’s ongoing commitment to supporting art and fashion community events, while invigorating its brand with the launch of several new vehicles including the 2006 Mercury Milan and 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV. The sophisticated and stylish designs of these vehicles communicate Mercury’s branding message and invitation to art enthusiasts, “Much to Discover.”

“Sponsoring ‘Solamente Salma’ is another step in our efforts to build relationships with the cultured and style-savvy consumers who appreciate this exclusive art and distinctive vehicles like the Mercury Milan and Mariner,” said Dave Rodriguez, multicultural marketing manager for Mercury. “We are excited for this opportunity to support these amazing artists and their exhibition at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, while strengthening our connection with the multicultural market in San Antonio.”

Born and raised in San Antonio, Robert Rodriguez has directed such movies as “Desperado” (1995), “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996), “Spy Kids” (2001) and “Sin City” (2004), and is best known for making profitable, crowd-pleasing films on fairly low budgets and fast schedules. Rodriguez gave Hayek her big break to star opposite of Antonio Banderas in the now cult classic Desperado, and she went on to star in his films “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “The Faculty” (1998), “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” (2003) and “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” (2003).

George Yepes was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in East Los Angeles, and is known as prolific artist from L.A.’s Chicano art community who rose above poverty and gang violence to become one of the most recognized modern Mexican painters and muralists. Yepes has painted eloquent social, historical and sacred images on everything from churches and hospitals to freeway overpasses and album covers. His work is studied by scholars across the U.S. Hayek was the subject of Yepes’s “Lady of the Butterflies” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” series that appeared in Rodriguez’s movie of the same name.

Though Rodriguez and Yepes have been friends for several years, the “Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma” art series marks the premier exhibition of their work together as painters.

“Both of these men are amazing artists in his own rite, and together they are a force to be reckoned with, so with that said we look forward to unveiling the ‘Solamente Salma’ exhibition,” said Bill FitzGibbons, executive director of the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. “We want to thank Mercury for supporting the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center and the San Antonio art community in general.”

The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each painting will go to two of Hayek’s favorite charities. There is a suggested $2 donation to enter the gallery. For more information on the “Terra Nostra: Solamente Salma” art series exhibition please call 210-227-6960.