Bombay Sapphire and Russell & Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation have announced two winners of the second annual event, the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series.

Photo: Artisan Series 2011 Winner Miguel Ovalle

Philanthropic co-founder Danny Simmons, Scope Art Fair Director of Operations Mollie White and the program’s national curator Andre Guichard selected New York artists Miguel Ovalle and Lerone Wilson as this year’s winners. Ovalle’s installation is titled Dizmology and Wilson’s encaustic on wood is called A Path through the Sky. Their work will be installed at the Rush Arts Gallery in Manhattan from February 9 to March 16, 2012.

Photo: Artisan Series 2011 Winner Lerone Wilson

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series initiative is designed to search and discover the next big names in the field of visual arts. The initiative launched in summer and after a long process of selection, twenty artists were shortlisted and invited to Miami for a grand finale event during Art Basel.

The finalists’ works were also exhibited at this year’s Miami edition of the Scope Art Fair from November 29—December 4. As a result of this, six pieces of Artisan Series work were sold to international art dealers.

During the finale event, held on December 2 in Miami, visitors could view a wide range of work from all of the artists and photographers who participated in the Artisan Series. Guests could also enjoy music, performance and signature Bombay Sapphire cocktails.

This year, the Artisan Series received nearly 3,000 submissions from emerging American artists. Submissions were judged by an esteemed panel, and those selected artists were invited to have their work displayed at gallery events in Washington DC, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco and New York City.

Bombay Sapphire Senior Brand Manager Richard McLeod adds, “Bombay Sapphire has an extensive history of commitment to the arts and creative community. It gives us such pleasure to be able to help provide a platform for new talent to gain the recognition that they deserve. We have been deeply touched by the response to our first two years of partnership with Rush Philanthropic and we are committed to building a lasting relationship.”