Patron Reveals Top 10 "Art of Patron" Bottle Art Competition Finalists

The Patrón Spirits Company announces today the top 10 finalists in the second edition of the "Art of Patrón" Bottle Art Competition.

From the moment Patrón tequila was first introduced, the Patrón glass bottle quickly became an iconic symbol of the brand and its premium craftsmanship. It also has inspired artists to transform Patrón bottles into handmade visual and functional arts. Recognizing the growing popularity of repurposing Patrón bottles, this initiative encouraged fans and artisans across the country to share their artistic vision using Patrón's signature tequila bottles as inspiration for a chance to win $10,000 and national exposure.

The 10 finalists were selected from hundreds of entries, all original works of art that were inspired by Patrón tequila. These creative pieces, as innovative as the brand they symbolize, now vie for the public's vote (at www.ArtofPatron.com) through August 23, 2015, to become this year's Grand Prize winner.

"The Patrón bottle itself is truly a work of art, and it's tremendously exciting to see the creativity and imagination that our bottle and our tequila have inspired in those who entered this competition. The level of artistic expression represented in this year's entries is quite impressive," said Lee Applbaum, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Patrón Spirits.

To enter the contest, applicants created an original work of art that contained, was made from, or depicted any Patrón bottle or component thereof. Along with the art, entrants submitted a short essay describing their piece and the inspiration behind it.

After receiving hundreds of entries – from extravagant waterfalls to elaborate sculptures and mosaics – a panel of judges (representing artisans and members of the spirits community) voted to select the 10 top designs, based on the entries' overall creativity, unique use or representation of the Patrón bottle, visual appeal, and the persuasiveness of the essay.

The top 10 finalists are (in no particular order):

• The Spirit of Patrón Totem submitted by Eileen Serlectic from Indianapolis, IN
• Patrón Azteca submitted by Christian Lepe from Los Angeles, CA
• Cascada de Patrón submitted by Danny Keaton from Leicester, NC
• The Many Layers of Patrón submitted by Joshua Smith from Reno, NV
• Candled Tequila submitted by Dancey Apple from Norman, OK
• La Casa de Agave submitted by Josmarie Gonzalez from Bristol, CT
• Agave Rain submitted by Leah Juarez from Albuquerque, NM
• Blue Agave submitted by Robert Bryan from Glendale, CA
• SALUD!! submitted by Terri Fitzgerald from Murfreesboro, TN
• La Abeja submitted by Rebecca Stoneback from Asbury Park, NJ

The 10 finalists will be featured through August 23, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. ET on the Art of Patrón website, www.ArtofPatron.com, where passionate Patrón fans and consumers can help select one lucky artist as the Grand Prize winner. The applicant with the highest combined votes from both the public and judging vote will be announced on or around September 15, 2015, and awarded $10,000, along with the opportunity for national exposure for his or her work of art. The remaining nine finalists will each receive $1,000.

About The Art of Patrón platform

The Art of Patrón platform brings together five pillars that celebrate Patrón's commitment to artisanal craftsmanship: culinary arts, mixology and cocktails, music and culture, the iconic Patrón bottle itself, and of course, handmade Patrón tequilas. The integrated program recognizes artists' commitment to his or her respective craft – from tequila makers to bartenders to musicians and chefs. In addition to the Art of Patrón Bottle Art Competition, other elements of the Art of Patrón initiative include the ArtofPatron.com digital hub, numerous events, integration in bars and restaurants, music activations with Rolling Stone, and the "Art of Patrón Virtual Reality Experience" that leverages innovative Oculus technology to take people on a virtual journey to the agave fields and Patrón distillery in Mexico.