Fiat Sponsors the ‘Dining by Design’ Event in Detroit

The FIAT Brand Dines in Style to Sponsor the ‘Dining by Design’ Event in Detroit to Benefit the Michigan AIDS Coalition

• The FIAT brand teams up with Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) as a platinum sponsor of Detroit’s second annual ‘Dining by Design’ event
• Dining by Design is a one-of-a-kind, spectacular event that showcases local talent in the design, artistic and architectural community while raising funds for the Michigan Aids Coalition
• Detroit native Antonio ‘Shades’ Agee to create a unique dining installation for the FIAT brand to showcase at the event
• Attendees will enjoy creations featured by the Detroit Design Community
• The FIAT brand will display three 2012 Fiat 500 vehicles, including the newly revealed 500 by Gucci special edition model throughout the entire three-day event

September 21, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The FIAT brand is uniting with Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) to host the second annual ‘Dining by Design’ event to benefit the Michigan AIDS Coalition. The event will be held Thursday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 24 at Willy’s Overland Lofts in Detroit.

Dining by Design, DIFFA’s signature event, showcases local talent in the design, artistic and architectural community by pairing them with Table Sponsors or hosts to create three-dimensional dining installations that are works of art and wild beyond the imagination.

“The FIAT brand is honored to be part of this remarkable and unique event that brings the design community together for such an important cause,” said Laura Soave, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “‘Dining by Design’ is an event that is aligned with some of the core values of the FIAT brand, such as passion, self-expression, inspiration and creativity.”

The FIAT brand is collaborating once again with native Detroiter, DIFFA board member and professional graffiti artist Antonio ‘Shades’ Agee for a custom table design that will bring the FIAT brand’s key attributes to life.

“It means so much to me to be a part of this event as an artist in Detroit,” said 'Shades.' “FIAT has been great to collaborate with because they share the passion and creativity of self-expression that an artist has. The table installation is a cool way to bring all of that to life.”

In addition to the one-of-a-kind table installation created by ‘Shades,’ the FIAT brand also will feature three 2012 Fiat 500 vehicles: the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport, Fiat 500 Lounge and the recently announced Fiat 500 Cabrio by Gucci. All three vehicles will be on display during the entire three-day event.

Location and schedule of events:

Willys Overland Lofts
441 W. Canfield
Detroit, MI 48201

Thursday, Sept. 22
Cocktails by Design
6 p.m. – midnight
Tickets: $100 can be purchased at cocktailsbydesign.eventbrite.com

Friday, Sept. 23
Dining by Design
Noon – 5 p.m.
Open to the public
Tickets: $10 can be purchased at the door or at publicviewingfriday.eventbrite.com

Saturday, Sept. 24
Dining by Design
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Open to the public
Tickets: $10 can be purchased at the door or at publicviewingsaturday.eventbrite.com

Saturday, Sept. 24
Dining by Design Gala Dinner
6 p.m. – midnight
Tickets: $250 can be purchased at diningbydesign.eventbrite.com

For more information about the ‘Dining by Design’ event in Detroit, please visit michiganaidscoalition.org/events-2/diffa-dining-by-design.

About the FIAT Brand
The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the 500 is synonymous with modern simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine.

Reminiscent of the original Cinquecento, the 2012 Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle’s global popularity. Since its initial launch in 2007, more than 500,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 80 countries around the world. The model’s unquestionable popularity is the result of the Fiat 500’s great ability to deliver unmatched personalization options with advanced solutions in terms of quality, engine and passenger comfort. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 60 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (FIAT MultiAir® Turbo).

About Antonio ‘Shades’ Agee
Antonio "Shades" Agee has been a Detroiter since birth, and not only that, he has been an active artist and community member of the Detroit area. With a father who was a jazz musician, listening to acts from Nat "King" Cole to Frank Sinatra, Agee was exposed to the arts at a young age. He initially started painting the streets when "graffiti" was not even a house hold name and no where to be found in the city. Through the love of the art, Agee traveled around the country and world to learn and hone his skills, while learning to produce graffiti by commission and "legal" contracts. Starting from the early 1990's, "Shades" Agee created an extensive resume for himself leading up to the present day. "Shades" has racked up a vast catalogue of impressive work by involving himself in custom murals for movies and canvases for the likes of Chrysler, Ford, Universal Studios, Quicken Loans, The Movement Det/Torino and Fiat Motors US/Europe,.

"Shades" has two pieces archived at the Detroit Institute of Arts, has exhibited at C-Pop Gallery, Motor Gallery, and has two permanent installations at Michigan State University’s Holden Hall. "Shades" has a dedicated clientele nationally to internationally that collects his works on almost anything he puts his hands on including: purses, dresses, dolls, etc. In addition, Juventus F.C.requested Agee to paint three canvases live during a charity event in Italy (27,000 fans). With a substantial background history in the "streets" and an honorable up-bringing, "Shades" has established himself as one of the original graffiti artists in the city of Detroit. For more information, please visit www.shadesdet.com.

About DIFFA
Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS services and education organizations in the U.S. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $38 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. Please visit www.diffa.org.

About Michigan Aids Coalition (MAC)
The mission of MAC is to prevent HIV/AIDS in Michigan by promoting healthy lifestyles, providing and investing in evidence-based, innovative programs and through advocacy and education. MAC is one of Michigan’s largest non-profit, community-based organizations dedicated to health promotion, harm and risk reduction, HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention education, grant making and public policy. MAC has conducted thousands of workshops and trainings, reaching over a half million people – 30,000 in the last year alone. Find more information at www.michiganaidscoalition.org.

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