The Corcoran Gallery of Art hosted its annual Artini 2012 celebration this Saturday, during which 11 local mixologists competed to create the best cocktail inspired by a work of art.
Joe Ambrose of POV at the W Hotel had the critics’ winning cocktail, which was inspired by the oil painting “Theophrastus Garden 2.” Within an hour of doors opening, partygoers had to wait almost 30 minutes for a taste of his martini, which came complete with an edible flower.
The readers’ choice winner was Art & Soul’s Ronald Flores, who was inspired by Aaron Douglas’s “Into Bondage” oil painting.
Apart from sipping on cocktails, attendees dressed in “creative cocktail attire” munched on desserts and finger foods and danced to music by Chris Nitti and Matthew Hemerlein.
All proceeds from Artini 2012 went toward ArtReach, the Corcoran’s arts education program.
