On November 10th Absolut Vodka launched a program called Absolut Vancouver, where they are giving away up to $120, 000 to a local artist! Many artists submitted proposals of how they would support Vancouver art with the money, and they have narrowed it down to 5 finalists. The winner will be chosen in spring 2010, but until then, the polls are open to the public. That’s right, it will be our very own Vancouver citizens who will define the winner. To view the finalists, vote for your fave, and learn all other information on the project, visit their site HERE.

Preview of the site:

November 10th was not only the launch of the Absolut Vancouver arts program, but also the special launch of our very own, Vancouver enspired Absolut Vodka bottle. Local design icon, Douglas Fraser, was the the lucky artist chosen to design the bottle which is the very first Canadian city inspired bottle in the Absolut collection. Why Vancouver? Well… because it’s awesome, why else?

Here’s a photo of the limited edition Vancouver inspired bottle:

The special edition Absolut Vancouver bottle will retail for $25.95, is available exclusively in British Columbia, and is expected to sell out by Christmas. $1 from every sale of this bottle is going towads the art project, which will determine the winning artist’s prize amount.

Some mock-up trials, before Douglas finalized the design:

Another fun thing about this launch was the tasting of the Vancouver inspired cocktail called the Absolut Vancouver Maple Whitecap. The mixologist behind this drink is Jacob Sweetapple and it’s quite delicious! As nasty as “egg white” sounds as one of the ingredients, it also contains real Canadian maple syrup, lime juice and of course vodka. Oh yeah, and just a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

Bar tenders making the White Cap cocktail:

The cocktail (now available for sale among the Vancouver bar scene):

Artist Douglas Fraser, with his design and cocktail:

Along with the bottle, the arts project, AND the White Cap cocktail, the launch on November 10th also featured three very cool Vancouver inspired bottle sculptures! All crafted by local artists, who each had work of their own featured at the launch as well.

Artist Ben Tour’s work featured at the launch:

Ben Tour with his bottle sculpture, The Remembrance Tree:

Artist Kale Friesen’s work featured at the launch:

Kale Friesen with his bottle sculpture, We Are in This Together/For Gary:

Artist Graeme Berglund’s art featured at the launch: (Graeme is also one of the five finalists in the Absolut Vancouver arts contest)

Graeme Berglund with his bottle sculpture, Ephermeral Grey:

These pictures really do not do these sculptures any justice, but don’t worry because as of November 11th they will be displayed at three different high traffic Skytrain stations: Graeme Berglund’s will go to Waterfront, Kale Friesen’s will go to Burrard and Ben Tour’s will go to Commercial Drive. They also all have plaques attached, with the title of the sculptures, and more information of their inspiration.

So there is lots to check out, folks. I suggest heading to your local liquor store to stock up on the limited edition Absolut Vancouver bottle, taking the skytrain back home whilst checking out all three awesome bottle sculptures, then when you get home, mix yourself a White Cap cocktail and hit the net to vote for your favorite Absolut Vancouver artist proposal. Sounds like a great day to me!