1800 Tequila announced the 12^th edition of its Essential Artist Series, an artist-led limited-edition bottle collaboration program. 

Founded as a means to showcase art in a non-traditional medium, each year the 1800 Tequila Essential Artist Series presents a new discussion around the crucial link between art and culture. This new collection features six original works of art from Mexican multimedia artist Raúl de Nieves and celebrates the many facets of de Nieves’ Mexican heritage and identity.

1800 Tequila selected Raúl de Nieves as its co-creator for his passionate Mexican identity and the shared championing of Mexican culture through their respective crafts. The brand’s continuous support of established and emerging Mexican artists finds likeness in de Nieves’ fusion of traditional Mexican craft and storytelling within his artwork. 

The collection includes six exclusive bottles showcasing original artwork by de Nieves, an extension of his “A window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder…” installation in the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington. The collection symbolizes the relationship between the earth realm and the ancestral one through a celestial landscape of infinite possibilities, with each design representing a character on a journey of self-discovery. 

At the neck of the 1800 Tequila bottle lies the “Sagrado Corazón,” the heart of hours, days and memories that come with life.

“Being Mexican has always been at the forefront of my identity, so I am incredibly honored for 1800 Tequila, a brand that makes it a priority to spotlight Mexican voices, to have selected me as this year’s Essential Artist,” de Nieves said in a news release. “Similar to 1800 Tequila, my culture is my craft. I am beyond excited to unveil this collaboration to the world and bring Mexican culture to a global stage through this partnership.”

1800 Tequila and de Nieves exclusively previewed the 12^th edition of the Essential Artist Series at the contemporary art triennial in New Orleans, Prospect.6 on Día de los Muertos – a Mexican holiday to remember the life of those who have passed on from the physical world. 

As an extension of their partnership, 1800 Tequila was the exclusive benefactor of the de Nieves “Un Corazón Sagrado” sculpture, now on display in New Orleans at the Harmony Circle, and the Official Tequila for the Prospect.6 Artist Party and Gala.

The 12^th iteration of the Essential Artist Series furthers the brand’s ongoing commitment to support emerging and established artists who have impacted culture. 1800 Tequila has partnered with renowned artists such as Dustin Yellin, Okuda San Miguel, Shantell Martin, Enoc Perez and the Basquiat and Haring estates for over ten decades. Through these collaborations, 1800 Tequila provided creators with an alternative canvas – the glass bottle – ultimately creating numerous sought-after collectibles.

“As the tequila category grows, 1800 Tequila maintains its leadership as the world’s most awarded tequila and a historic Mexican brand that prioritizes taste across both tequila and culture. This decades-long art project has produced accessible art collectibles for our fans, collaborating with some of the world’s most culturally relevant artists,” Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits, said. “We are proud to have an Essential Artist such as Raúl de Nieves join us this year to explore and introduce our multi-faceted and colorful Mexican culture to a U.S. audience.”

The Essential Artist Series 12 featuring Raúl de Nieves’ bespoke bottle collection is now available at 1800Tequila.com and in limited quantities in-store nationwide.

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About 1800 Tequila

1800 Tequila is made with 100% blue Weber agave harvested at its peak in Tequila, Mexico. Now, as the best taste in tequila, 1800 Tequila has reached category leadership through the creation of the first Añejo tequila, deep-rooted Mexican heritage and culture-driving collaborations with musicians and artists. The iconic bottle is also recognized for its trapezoidal shape, reminiscent of the centuries-old Mayan stone pyramids found throughout Mexico.