It is a world of mighty orcas, playful dolphins, great whales, gentle manatees, ancient sea turtles, living reefs and exotic sea creatures — a world few people can hope to experience for themselves. But celebrated marine artist Wyland® has transported millions into the mysterious underwater kingdom of the world’s oceans with his powerful paintings, sculptures, photographs and wall murals. Displayed in museums and galleries, on public walls and in many public and private collections, Wyland’s art has charmed collectors, conservationists and nature lovers for more than 20 years. Now, check writers can also experience the beauty of Wyland’s underwater world and help support the artist’s dream of ocean conservation when they purchase products featuring Wyland art designs, offered by Clarke American, a leading provider of checks and check-related products.

Available only to account holders of Clarke American’s financial institution partners around the country, Wyland products include a five-scene check series and a three-scene return address label series. Products feature the best of Wyland’s colorful marine art and can be purchased separately or in a popular ValuePack® — a value-priced package of related products that includes a leather checkbook cover.

“Wyland’s vision is to introduce people to the beauty of nature so they will be inspired to protect it,” explains Linda Roothame, Clarke American’s senior product marketing manager. “The artwork featured on Clarke American products certainly translates the artist’s passion for nature and the environment. Anyone who enjoys his work, who appreciates natural beauty, who has a passion for preserving the oceans or who just wants a check design that is anything but ordinary will want to take a closer look at these designs.”

But check writers have an additional reason to choose the Wyland products. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each product is donated to the nonprofit Wyland Foundation, which supports art and science-based educational programs, scientific research and environmental awareness programs. “The Wyland designs are just the latest in a growing list of Clarke American products that promote causes embraced by check writers. We offer checks and coordinating accessory products that pay tribute to more than a dozen organizations benefiting the environment, education and children. These are important causes to Clarke American and important causes to the account holders who use our checks.”

Although the beauty of Wyland’s art and the significance of the cause it represents will appeal to check writers, it is Clarke American’s commitment to the quality, safety and security of its check products that check writers continue to appreciate most. “A beautiful check would mean very little to account holders if Clarke American wasn’t so passionate about its products. We are known for our state-of-the-art check security technology, internal safety standards and our insistence on producing products that are of the highest quality in the industry,” observes Roothame, “so check writers can be confident when they purchase and use our checks, no matter what design they choose.”

Clarke American provides checks and check-related products, contact center services and direct response marketing solutions for the financial services industry. Each year, the company produces more than 10 billion personal and business checks in a variety of formats for more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout the country. More than 3,200 Clarke American associates serve the financial services industry through a network of electronically linked production facilities and customer service centers across the United States.

Clarke American is a recipient of the 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award given by the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit www.clarkeamerican.com.

For information about this press release contact
Mike Hannan
(210) 697-1299
Cary Corbin
(830) 609-1932