NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – Jim Vines, a sleight-of-hand artist from Brooklyn, NY, has won 1st Place at both major US National Magic Championships of 2016 performing his unique style of Close-Up Magic.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160815/397988

Close-Up Magic happens in the hands with ordinary objects using sleight-of-hand dexterity to accomplish the magical illusions. In his award-winning act, Vines uses new techniques and original methods never seen before.

In the world of professional magicians, two major Magic Championships take place in the United States each year. The International Brotherhood of Magicians Gold Cups Championship was held in San Antonio, TX, on July 4, 2016, and The Society of American Magicians Contest of Magic was held in Indianapolis, IN, on July 14, 2016, with hundreds of professional magicians from around the world in attendance.

By winning 1st Place in both of the major magic championships,Jim Vines became the 2016 National Champion of Close-Up Magic.  "To me, close-up magic is the purest form of the art.  It happens right in front of the audience’s eyes, with no place to hide,“ Vines says. "It was thrilling to compete with such amazing magical artists from around the world.”

Vines, age 49, a member of the Academy of Magical Arts, has been practicing magic for over 35 years. He has won over a dozen major magic awards for his sleight-of-hand performances, but the 2016 National Championships are his highest awards to date. In his championship act, Vines starts with empty hands and sleeves rolled up, and then proceeds to make a profusion of coins, credit cards, $100 bills, and even a gold bar appear from nowhere.

Over the next year, Vines will be performing his act in New York City, Las Vegas, Canada, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Argentina.

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