New Creative Enterprises Signs Award-Winning Artist Dylan Scott Pierce.

Business Editors

MILFORD, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2002

16-Year-Old Artist Prodigy Joins Forces with NCE to Provide

Stunning Artwork for Impressions(R) Flag Line

New Creative Enterprises, a division of Decorative Concepts Inc., announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with Grace Licensing(TM) to feature the amazing artwork of Dylan Scott Pierce in its Impressions(R) line of heat sublimated flags. Pierce, a child prodigy artist, is set to capture the attention of the home decor and gift industry through his exclusive agreement with NCE. The company is currently exploring additional product lines that will provide creative and appropriate ways to feature Pierce's breathtaking renditions of his beloved wild animals.

Pierce, who is represented by the Cottage Gardens Collections(TM) organization, will present a new and exciting opportunity for NCE and will add a unique dimension to its existing nationally recognized flag line. The new line, which will debut in 2003, is expected to appeal to a broad range of NCE customers.

Pierce began expressing his lifelong love for animals through his art at the age of six. Little more than a decade later, the teenager's remarkable abilities have evolved into mature, strikingly realistic depictions of the wild animals he loves and paints. Over the past decade the young artist has garnered an enviable reputation in his profession and has received national recognition from collectors and the national arts media for his work.

A soft-spoken, spiritual young man, Pierce offers his own explanation for his success. "I believe this talent is a gift that God gave to me. We all have talents, but I was fortunate to find mine at a young age. I understand how precious this gift is, and I try to keep improving my artwork, so I can take it to that next level. For me, painting is a passion -- not work."

Pierce is also an accomplished photographer and his camera serves as the exploratory tool to capture the breathtaking realism found in his wildlife subjects. He is a patient photographer, who waits for hours to take just a handful of shots. "The photos need to have the right composition and lighting, and to show some aspect of the animal's personality," he said. Those who observe Pierce's artwork often say that he captures the soul of the animal.

Pierce was recently profiled on National Geographic Today on the National Geographic Network, where representatives from the show spent a full day with Pierce at his home and studio. Future plans include Pierce's debut at the New York Art Expo in February 2003 and his first-ever safari in the fall of 2003.

"We have been very selective in establishing licensing agreements for Dylan's work," said Mark Timm, president of Grace Licensing(TM). "I am very impressed with the team at New Creative Enterprises and feel that they are taking the right approach in displaying Dylan's artwork for the general public to enjoy."

"The opportunity to feature the remarkable artwork of someone like Dylan Scott Pierce comes along rarely in one's career," said Mark Schoenwald, president of New Creative Enterprises. "NCE's Impressions(R) flag line will feature these breathtaking wildlife subjects depicted in delicate watercolors. We are pleased that Grace Licensing has selected New Creative Enterprises to showcase his work in this medium and to join the ranks of the nationally acclaimed artists NCE represents."

"This young artist is one of the amazing talents in the art world today and has built a solid national reputation for his wildlife art," said Bill McMahon, CEO of Decorative Concepts Inc. "We consider it a great honor to be selected as the company of choice in the home decor and gift industry to present this unique talent to the public at large. We are excited to see the reaction of our retail customers as they see the potential of this young artist."

About New Creative Enterprises

NCE is a leading designer, importer, and distributor of decorative accessories for both indoor and outdoor use. Included among its leading product lines are decorative flags, and hand painted garden giftware, including birdhouses, wind chimes, and lawn ornaments. NCE is a major resource for seasonal holiday decorative items. Other product lines include home accessories and various other decorative giftware. NCE's products consistently rank among the top selling general, seasonal, and outdoor decor gift items. In addition to its proprietary designs, NCE has product license agreements with several leading companies.

NCE sells its products through approximately 20,000 independent retailers in five major distribution channels (giftware, hardware, lawn and garden, department and mass merchandise stores) located primarily in the United States. NCE's top 10 customers account for less than 25% of sales and independent gift stores account for more than 55% of sales.

About Decorative Concepts Inc.

Decorative Concepts Inc. is the country's fastest growing gift and floral company serving over 30,000 accounts including mass merchants, craft chains and independent gift retailers. As a leading designer and distributor of home decor products for indoor and outdoor display, such as artificial flowers, decorative flags and garden items, table top and gift accessories, the company is frequently cited in industry journals and annual surveys as having the top-performing lines throughout its divisions. Divisions within Decorative Concepts include Aldik, New Creative Enterprises, Teters Floral Products Inc., Square Nest, Decorative Concepts Licensing, and Decorative Concepts International, its direct import division.

About Grace Licensing(TM)

Grace Licensing(TM) is a full-service fine art licensing firm with an innovative approach. "We're not just about providing licensed art," said Timm. "We're about bringing to the marketplace the industry's best licensed art products." The company provides art, design services and marketing support so that its clients can leverage their licensing investment through the expertise of Grace Licensing. As the licensing arms of Cottage Garden Collections, a publishing company, Grace Licensing offers a customer base that is already purchasing art from the award-winning artists in its publishing division: D. Morgan, Mary Hughes, Dylan Scott Pierce, Sue Skeen and Janie Dawson. Artwork created by Grace Licensing's roster of artists is now being introduced to the gift, stationery, home decor and craft industries, with expansion being planned for the apparel, domestics, housewares and home furnishings markets.

To see the art of Pierce go to www.dylanpierce.com.