This fall, Bombay Sapphire® Gin and Russell and Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation teamed up to create the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series—a nationwide search to discover the next big names in both urban photography and multi-media art. During a series of regional gallery events, twenty artists from these two categories were shortlisted and invited to Miami for a grand finale event during Art Basel. After much deliberation, a jury panel selected Washington, DC photographer Stan Squirewell and Miami artist Jorge Cavalier as the first ever winners of the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series. Both artists will have their work installed at the Rush Arts Gallery in Manhattan from January 13 to 27, 2011.

Image Courtesy: www.blackgivesback.com

The finale event, held December 4 at Miami Beach’s Paris Theater, featured a wide range of work from the talented artists and photographers who participated in the Artisan Series.  Rush Philanthropic co-founder Danny Simmons addressed the finalists saying, «I’ve been making art for years and I still consider myself an emerging artist,» encouraging the group to continue evolving and growing as artists.  Finally, Russell Simmons took the stage and, after commending each of the artists on their «deeply personal» work, Simmons announced Squirewell and Cavalier as the winners.  Squirewell’s acrylic on pigment print is titled ‘The Carbon Anomaly’ and Cavalier’s dramatic three piece sculpture comes from a series titled ‘Labyrinths.’

Image Courtesy: www.blackgivesback.com

In relationship with Complex magazine, emerging artists were invited to enter the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series by creating a piece of inspired, original art. In its first year, the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series received nearly two thousand submissions from artists across the United States. Submissions were judged by an esteemed panel, and selected artists were invited to have their work displayed at gallery events in Washington DC, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta and New York City.