National Search Designed to Provide Exposure for Emerging Artists from Around the Country, and Feature Winners' Works at Art Basel Miami and the Rush Arts Gallery, NY

NEW YORK, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Russell & Danny Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation have teamed up to create the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series. Launched June 1st, this nationwide search aims to discover the next big names in both urban photography and multi-media art.  Twenty of the nation's finest aspiring artists from these two fields will be shortlisted, before going on to compete for the top artisan title at a finale event during Art Basel Miami, December 2010.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation are on a mission to provide exposure to the newest wave of emerging artists and discover what inspires them. In partnership with Mark Ecko's Complex magazine, emerging artists will be invited to enter the Artisan Series contest by creating a piece of inspired original art, and uploading it via www.Complex.com/SapphireArt.  

To kick the contest off, Mark Ecko's Complex has created two pieces of inspired art, which embody the essence of the collaboration.  "I'm really excited that BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Marc Ecko's Complex are working together on this program as both of us are committed to discovering new talent, be it mixologists or artists," says Mr. Ecko. "Supporting local artists, while giving twenty visual artists the opportunity to shine during Art Basel Miami, is very much in line with my long term commitment to the arts."

Entrants need to submit their work online by August 31st through www.Complex.com/SapphireArt, at www.Juxtapoz.com  or www.12ozProphet.com  respectively. The websites www.Juxtapoz.com and www.12ozProphet.com are two of the top destinations for emerging street artists to display their work, making it an organic place to house this competition.

All submissions will be judged by a panel, including Marc Ecko, Rush Philanthropic Vice Chairman, Co-Founder and artist Danny Simmons, along with curatorial staff from the Foundation, and curators from around the country.  Those who are selected will be invited to have their work displayed at a sequence of nationwide events, taking place from July through October. Ten fine arts photographers and ten multi-media artists will be drawn down from these heats to compete in the finale event during Art Basel Miami, where one photographer and one artist will be selected as the winners. They will then have their works installed at Rush Arts Gallery and Resource Center in New York City. "Rush's commitment to promoting and developing emerging artists is as strong here in New York City as anywhere else in the U.S., and so we are very excited to partner on this initiative which will help us continue to engage talented artists across the country," says Danny Simmons.

Pieces created by Mark Ecko's Complex as well as works from photographer Eric Henderson will be featured at the Eleventh Annual ART FOR LIFE East Hampton benefit on Saturday, July 24th. Russell Simmons who hosts this annual event at his East Hampton home says about the partnership, "I'm proud of all the work we've been able to accomplish with Rush Philanthropic and especially proud to partner with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE on the Artisan Series, which builds upon our mission to foster creativity and promote artistic expression."

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, also a Silver Sponsor of ART FOR LIFE, will be on hand serving up a menu of artisan-inspired cocktails. The partnership between BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation evolved from Sapphire's longstanding support of the arts, especially in the Miami locale. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE has had an ongoing presence at Art Basel Miami over the festival's nine year lifespan, matched more recently by its involvement with the new Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, of which Sapphire and its parent company, Bacardi, are both key donors. Globally, Sapphire is also committed to championing the best in contemporary glass design through its annual BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Designer Glass Competition. Commenting on the union, Brand Manager Richard McLeod, states: "BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and ART FOR LIFE are both committed to nurturing new talent in our respective fields – namely, mixology and the arts – and this is the perfect vehicle for spotlighting new names destined for national and international breakthrough."

About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® is the fastest growing premium gin in the world and world's number one premium gin by value.  BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is created with a unique combination of ten hand-selected botanicals, sourced from around the globe. The brand's global essence and signature vapor infusion process impart a refined and perfectly balanced taste, versatile enough for both classic cocktails and exotic recipes.  A leader among gins, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is a symbol of the exploration of worldly and sophisticated lifestyles. For more information, please explore www.bombaysapphire.com.  

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About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi  U.S.A.,  Inc. is the import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world's  leading  wine and spirits producers. Bacardi U.S.A. boasts a brand portfolio  of  some  of  the most recognized and top-selling spirits in the United   States   including:   BACARDI®   rum,  the  world's  favorite  and best-selling  premium  rum,  as  well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE®  vodka,  the  world-leader  in  super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Scotch whisky,  the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY  SAPPHIRE®  gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue  agave  tequila,  the  top-selling premium tequila worldwide; MARTINI® vermouth,  the  world-leader  in  vermouth;  and other leading and emerging brands.

ABOUT RUSH PHILANTHROPIC ARTS FOUNDATION

Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing underserved urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, and to offering exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists and artists of color.  Rush was founded in 1995 by three brothers: Danny Simmons, visual artist and community builder; media mogul Russell Simmons; and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC.  Their goal was to fill the gap that poor and minorities face in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities.  Over the past 15 years, Rush has served over 700,000 urban youth and has developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to addressing these issues. In addition to the 2,000 students served each year in its education programs, Rush exhibits the work of 40 to 50 emerging and community-based artists in its galleries; welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors; distributes grants to nonprofit arts organizations in NYC and South Florida; and provides unique opportunities for young people interested in careers in the arts.  Rush currently operates two galleries, Rush Arts Gallery and Resource Center in Chelsea (Manhattan) and Corridor Gallery in Clinton Hill (Brooklyn).

Rush Philanthropic believes that if you give young people the opportunity to practice and appreciate art—whether poetry, music, dance or the visual arts—you will see lives transformed. Nurtured in early childhood, and anchored in sustained, creative experiences throughout one's life, it is through art that we see young people learn to value their own unique voices and visions; and it is through art that we see artists transform the minds and eyes of society.

For more information on the Artisan Series, please visit www.Complex.com/SapphireArt.

For more information on Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation visit www.rushphilanthropic.org

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