1800 Tequila is celebrating the 12th edition of its renowned “Essential Artist” series, featuring a limited-edition bottle designed in collaboration with the multimedia artist Raúl de Nieves. For the partnership, Nieves illuminated both his and the brand’s ties to Mexican culture, craftsmanship, and artistic expression by imagining six colorful bottles featuring original stained-glass-inspired work.
Stemming from his installation “A window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder…” displayed at the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, the bottles embody a celestial narrative, bridging the physical and ancestral realms through a symbolic journey of self-discovery. At the neck of each bottle, a “Sagrado Corazón” emblem represents the heart, memories, and passage of time—an integral theme in both de Nieves’ work and Mexican tradition.
“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,” said de Nieves. “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 Collaborates with Raúl de Nieves
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
To celebrate the collaboration, 1800 Tequila hosted an exclusive preview of the 12th edition at the contemporary art triennial in New Orleans, Prospect.6, on Día de los Muertos—a fitting occasion to honor life, heritage, and artistic expression. As part of this partnership, 1800 Tequila served as the exclusive benefactor for de Nieves’ sculpture “Un Corazón Sagrado,” now prominently displayed in New Orleans at Harmony Circle. The brand also played a key role as the Official Tequila for the Prospect.6 Artist Party and Gala, further cementing its dedication to the arts.
A Celebration of Mexican Heritage and Identity
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
That weekend, Whitewall joined the Mexican artist and the tequila brand in New Orleans to toast to the latest design.
“I’m going to take a moment to just reflect on everyone’s lives that we’ve been able to touch—as people who are here, standing on this ground. An opportunity for everyone who deserves a moment to feel like there is always someone there next to them to help them,” he said in front of his sculpture in Harmony Circle. “One of the biggest things that life gives you is a voice—to ask for help and commitment. Most of the time, when I close my eyes, the only thing I can ask for is love and respect. And I see it every day because of the way we treat one another.”
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
“We are allowing the world to see change through the beauty of art. And art is an emotional aspect we get to share with one another. The embracement of creativity is something I think the world really needs at this point. Without creation, there is no connection,” de Nieves continued. “So, thank you to everyone who helped put this together, because this is an act of kindness for everyone. And New Orleans has been such a beautiful place for me—a home away from home. I always feels like it’s giving me a hug back. I hope today give you an opportunity to understand what we are capable of.”
“We are allowing the world to see change through the beauty of art,”
—Raúl de Nieves
1800 Tequila’s Legacy of Supporting Visionary Artists
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
1800 Tequila x Raúl de Nieves, courtesy of 1800 Tequila.
For over a decade, 1800 Tequila’s Essential Artist Series has provided a unique platform for both emerging and established artists to share their work in an unconventional medium: the glass tequila bottle. The brand has previously collaborated with renowned creators such as Dustin Yellin, Okuda San Miguel, Shantell Martin, Enoc Perez, and the estates of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. These partnerships have yielded highly sought-after collectibles that merge fine art with premium tequila, making cultural appreciation more accessible to fans and collectors alike.
“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,” said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits, owner of 1800 Tequila. “This decades-long art project has produced accessible art collectibles for our fans, collaborating with some of the world’s most culturally relevant artists. 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.”
