MIAMI, Dec. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From the
dazzling marquees of Broadway to the unmistakable sparkle of
Las Vegas, neon lights shine as
many of America's most iconic landmarks. As thousands of neon signs
across the U.S. have fallen into disrepair and neon art has shifted
from a cultural mainstay to vintage afterthought, Bulleit looks to
champion its reemergence with an innovative neon collection.
"Through the Bulleit Frontier Works program we've united those
on the cultural frontier who embody the spirit of our brand. The
collaborations connect modern makers, celebrate the unified work
and provide a platform to shine a light on their craft, creation
and remarkable vision," said Sophie Kelly,
Sr. Vice President of North American Whiskeys at Diageo. "As
part of the Frontier Works NEON project, which the Bulleit brand
launched earlier this year, we look to continuously fuel neon art.
Today we'll unveil the NEON In A Bottle art collection, a
Bulleit Frontier Works collaboration with preeminent neon artist
Lisa Schulte and our friends at
Saatchi Art."
Lisa Schulte, also known as The
Neon Queen, is introducing the Bulleit inspired NEON Collection
during Miami Art Week, for exclusive sale via Saatchi Art. This
limited edition collection will be the first neon art collection
ever sold by Saatchi Art and features words and phrases that
celebrate the frontier spirit, inside Bulleit Bourbon bottles. Each
NEON In A Bottle piece of art features neon glass which is
hand-blown by Schulte and crafted into works of art, then
meticulously inserted into the brand's classic frontier-inspired
bottle.
Earlier in 2017, Bulleit teamed up with Schulte and artist
Brendan Donnelly to construct a 26
ft. wide dynamic neon billboard in downtown Los Angeles at the historic Grand Central
Market. As the inaugural Frontier Works NEON project, the sign
sparked a passion in Bulleit to further champion the lost art of
neon and showcase the craft on a larger scale.
This holiday season, in order to bring the frontier spirit to
consumers across the nation, Bulleit has served as the inspiration
for Saatchi Art, on the exclusive NEON collection curated by
Rebecca Wilson, Saatchi Art Chief
Curator. The NEON collection includes 13 neon bottles alongside a
number of vibrant neon artworks by Schulte and select Saatchi Art
artists. Art collectors and design enthusiasts are able to purchase
the entire collection or shop piece by piece beginning today via
www.saatchiart.com/bulleitneoncollection. Prices will vary across
the collection, but each NEON In A Bottle artwork will be sold for
$1,000.00, including
shipping.
"Art is an expression of who we are and who we want to be," said
Schulte. "For me, that's a constant desire to live on the edge of
the modern cultural frontier. From the form and function of the
Bulleit bottle to the inspirational messages that live within,
that's what I've tried to create with NEON In A Bottle."
Renowned as the preeminent neon bender of her generation,
Schulte has forged new frontiers in art and color. Motivated in
part by losing her sight in a freak accident at the age of seven,
for months she lived in darkness as her eyes were covered in
patches and doctors worked to restore her sight. When the
bandages were removed, Schulte found that not only had she
recovered her vision, but she'd gained a perspective and
appreciation for light that few could ever truly understand.
Decades later, her brush with blindness continues to inspire her
work.
"Saatchi Art is proud to partner with Bulleit and Lisa
Schulte to showcase the incredible talent of artists working with
the magical medium of neon," said Wilson. "The pieces selected
for this collection are visually striking, and reflect the
passion and craft of neon culture."
To further shine a light on neon art and preserve its legacy,
proceeds from every NEON In A Bottle art sold will go to The Museum
of Neon Art to revitalize the lost art of neon bending. Starting
with the Bulleit NEON billboard in LA featuring more than a dozen
LA-inspired designs, Bulleit is committed to preserving neon
culture through the restoration and creation of new neon art. To
additionally ensure this valued art form is celebrated, Bulleit
plans to engage in neon sign restoration projects across
the United States.
Adult consumers who join Bulleit on the neon cultural frontier
are always encouraged to drink responsibly.
The NEON project follows on the heels of inaugural Bulleit
Frontier Works program, TATTOO, which united 24 tattoo artists to
create the world's largest collaborative tattoo. For more
information on Bulleit Frontier Works, follow Bulleit on Instagram
@Bulleit and check out the hashtag #FrontierWorks.
About Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
The Bulleit Distilling Co. was founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, whose Bulleit Bourbon is inspired
by a family tradition. Bulleit Rye, a straight rye whiskey, was
added to the portfolio in 2011 to critical acclaim, and the brand's
third variant, Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year-Old, was introduced in 2013.
Bulleit whiskeys use a higher proportion of rye grain, which gives
them their distinctive bold, spicy taste. Bulleit ranks as one of
the fastest-growing whiskeys in America, which Tom largely credits
to word of mouth recommendations. In 2014, Bulleit broke ground on
a new $115 million distillery located
in Shelbyville, Ky. The Bulleit
Distilling Co. opened in March 2017.
Guests are invited to learn more about the past, present and future
of Bulleit by visiting the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at
Stitzel-Weller in Louisville, Ky.,
a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. For more information,
visit www.bulleit.com.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and
Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain
Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio,
Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock
Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products
are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more
information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance,
visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible
drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives,
and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North
America: @Diageo_NA.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Saatchi Art
Saatchi Art features the world's largest selection of original
art and helps people all over the world find art and artists they
love. The online art gallery offers more than 500,000 original
unique paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs by over
60,000 emerging artists from over 100 countries. Saatchi Art is
redefining the experience of buying and selling art by providing
art lovers with free art advisory services and an expertly curated
selection of art, while giving artists a convenient and welcoming
environment in which to exhibit and sell their work. To discover
the world of Saatchi Art, please visit www.saatchiart.com.
Saatchi Online, Inc., which operates
Saatchi Art, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leaf Group Ltd.
(NYSE:LFGR).
Media
Contacts:
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|
Elisabeth Blum,
Taylor
|
Phil Pearson,
DIAGEO
|
eblum@taylorstrategy.com
|
phillip.pearson@diageo.com
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704-644-6935
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646-223-2309
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SOURCE Bulleit Distilling Co.