Pick out your best pair of bedazzled boots and get ready for the 14th Annual ARTini Fundraiser Competition! High-Fashion Western Wear and sultry gazes are the name of the game as this year’s ARTini will take place on Saturday, June 8th at Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel in Downtown Shreveport, LA. Crafted cocktails mixed with glitz, glam, and a lil’ denim are what you’ll find on this year’s menu!
ARTini is more than just a fundraising event; it’s a commitment to nurturing the arts and fostering a sense of community in Bossier. By highlighting local artists, musicians and bartenders, ARTini provides a platform for creative talents to shine, promoting cultural appreciation and artistic discovery. The event also generates critical funds that support the Bossier Arts Council’s programs throughout the year, including art education, exhibitions, and community arts initiatives. Tickets include entrance to the event, a hand-painted Martini Glass, Live Music, Deliciously Catered Food, and a myriad of Martinis from some of Shreveport-Bossier’s most popular restaurants & bars!
Rachel McDonald is the Official Featured Artist of ARTini 2024!
Rachel McDonald is a Graphic Designer, Mixed-Media Artist, and Educator. Her work as a Visual Artist combines graphic design and fine art and celebrates vintage Americana aesthetics through experimentation with digital and analog production methods.
Her current work is a condensed visual representation of her upbringing in North Louisiana and her travels abroad. It exists as a playful highlight reel of lived experiences inspired by nostalgia and ephemera collected along the way. Her work seeks to reference the effect of time and romanticization on memory via vivid colors and abstract compositions.
Rachel graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2011 with a BFA in Studio Art. In 2014, she moved to South Korea where she taught English and worked as a freelance designer and illustrator. During this time, she traveled to nearly thirty countries and noted the impact of art and design on cultural quirks.
Rachel McDonald set up in the 2023 Red River Revel Artist Alley
Florida Springs by Rachel McDonald circa 2023 Acrylic on Panel
New Boot Goofin by Rachel McDonald circa 2024 Acrylic on Panel
Florida Springs by Rachel McDonald circa 2023 Acrylic on Panel
Her experiences abroad prompted her to further her design education, and in 2020, she earned an MFA in Design and Visual Communications from the University of Florida. During her graduate studies, she honed her skills in theory and research to focus on using design as a tool for social change. Rachel is currently a freelance graphic designer and illustrator and teaches graphic design courses as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of LSUS Digital Arts and Media at LSU Shreveport.
Enjoy Over A Dozen Uniquely Crafted Cocktails From The SBC’s Best!
The Martini Cocktail Competition is a highlight of ARTini, inviting amateur and professional mixologists to showcase their creativity and skill. This friendly competition is not only a chance to claim bragging rights but also an opportunity to contribute to the event’s success. Competitors’ creations are a major draw for attendees, adding a dynamic and interactive element to the evening.
Participating in the competition offers numerous benefits. It provides visibility for mixologists and their establishments within the community, fosters networking opportunities with peers and attendees, and demonstrates support for the arts. The competition also serves as a creative challenge, pushing participants to invent unique cocktails that might become the next signature martini of the event!
2023 Judge’s and People’s Choice Winners, Bear’s, with BAC Executive Director Britt Pope and 2023 ARTini Featured Artist Paige Powell
Fatty Arbuckles – 2023
Library on Fern – 2022
Guests and Judges spend the evening sampling creative cocktail concoctions via hand-painted martini glasses before voting on their favorite. Throughout the years our judging process has become more streamlined and focused on highlighting the craftsmanship of the cocktail. Judging is based on the following criteria:
- Balance: Good tension between flavor profiles, not leaning too heavily into any one flavor profile and does more than simply taste good.
- Presentation: Is this cocktail as visually striking? Has the cocktail artist really thought about satisfying all the senses of the end consumer and put thought into everything from glassware to decorative elements?
- Taste, Mouthfeel, & Finish: Does it taste good? How does it feel in the mouth? Are the lingering flavors pleasant after it has been swallowed or spat out?
As of now we have over half of our limited competitor spots filled with local Shreveport-Bossier favorites such as:
- 2023 Judge’s and People’s Choice Winner: Bear’s
- 2023 Most M’artisinal Winner: Pepito’s XO Mexican Bistro
- Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
- River & Rye of Hilton Downtown
- Up for Brunch
- Mike’s Place
- Casa Jimador
Mocktail Options Now Available!
Starting in 2023 we offered a new way to experience the Martini Competition! Our competitors can now opt-in to offer a Non-Alcoholic Mocktail Option of their signature martinis in order for designated drivers and dry drinkers to enjoy ARTini to the fullest.
The 2024 ARTini Martini Competition is Sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company with Absolut Vodka
Over the years, ARTini has grown in popularity, becoming a highly anticipated event in the local calendar. Its success is a testament to the community’s passion for the arts and its willingness to support creative endeavors. The event’s ability to evolve while staying true to its roots has attracted a diverse audience, from art aficionados and socialites to families and young professionals, making it a beacon of cultural celebration in Bossier Parish.
This Year’s Theme: What Exactly Is A Rhinestone Cowboy?
The song, Rhinestone Cowboy is the crossover classic hit from country singer, Glenn Campbell. It is based upon the struggle and dream that a musician faces in their search for fame.
The lyrics talk about the singer walking the streets, hustling his way to make a break, and when he reaches his dream, he’ll shine like a Rhinestone Cowboy. It might be the iconic visual of a cowboy covered in rhinestones that has lent appeal to the song, but many find that the true meaning behind the song is what has made it a classic, that is; to follow your dreams, no matter what struggles or obstacles you face, until you see your dream realized and shine like a Rhinestone Cowboy!
Become A Sponsor
Sponsors get VIP treatment leading up to and on the night of ARTini, with various perks based on tier level! Comped Tickets, Program Branding, VIP Area Seating, and more are all available! By becoming a sponsor of ARTini you are helping sustain the mission of the Bossier Arts Council for years to come. For more information on how to be a Sponsor, contact us at artini@bossierarts.org or give us a call at 318-741-8310
