Artini celebrates 10 years of mixing things up with art & martinis

As we all know, Covid-19 wreaked havoc on events throughout our city this spring and summer. Many of these events had been in the works for well over a year. With heavy hearts, local businesses and non-profits looked for creative ways to turn these canceled events into productive and fun activities for our community.

For the past 10 years, the Bossier Arts Council has depended on Artini as a means to raise funds that allowed for continued programming. Initially set for June 13, Artini was slated to be one of the events of 2020. Featuring artist Lauren Ross Simmons and local band What the Funk?, this cocktail-art celebration was to be held at Sci-Port Discovery Center.

Robin Jones, executive director of the Bossier Arts Council, knew they needed to act quickly with an alternative plan. Not only did her team decide to move Artini to June 12, 2021, but they came up with a pretty creative solution: a cocktail recipe book.

“This would have been the 11th year that the Bossier Arts Council has hosted Artini, so we have 10 years of recipes and good times to share. It just seemed like a natural time to put out a cocktail book,” Jones said.

“Art & Martinis: A Collective Decade of Mixology” will feature artwork designed by local artist Alex Richardson. Alongside the Council’s favorite recipes from throughout the years, the book will showcase photographs from past Artini events.

“We have scoured our records and come up with what we feel is a wonderful recap of 10 years of incredible recipes, camaraderies and support from the community,” Jones said. “You will see pictures, award-winning recipes and, of course, art.”

Book sales and tickets for Artini 2021 have already begun. You can find links for these purchases at bossierarts.org. In-person books sales begin on July 1 at the Bossier Arts Council.