"LeAp Students Chosen to Participate in HSBC’S Opening and Unlocking The World's Potential Exhibit"

NEW YORK, NY– September 22, 2010 – This Thursday, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (HSBC) will be officially re-opening the doors to its Manhattan branch on 250 Park Avenue following a significant upgrade. In honor of the event, they have created a local student art exhibit that ties in with their Unlocking the World’s Potential campaign, a global advertising campaign using advertisements in unexpected places. Five LeAp students from PS 56K in Brooklyn were chosen to have their art work displayed in the lobby of the new branch. This exhibit encourages young artists to use their creative potential to the fullest, and think outside the average means of artistic display.

Since 2007, LeAp and HSBC have developed a strong partnership through the bank’s support of LeAp’s Public Art Program. This program empowers middle school students to express themselves on important social issues in their communities through the creation and public exhibition of art in NYC parks—comprising the largest student exhibition in NYC parks history and the first to span five boroughs. “HSBC has been a true partner in helping us bring innovative arts education programming to thousands of NYC public school students,” stated Alexandra Leff, Director of the LeAp’s Public Art Program.