• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, March 8, 2013

Patrón tequila is running a contest, dubbed “The Art of Patrón,” to encourage creative types to execute and share works of art that use the brand’s distinctive glass bottle.

Entries must be original works of art or functional items that contain, are made from or depict a Patrón bottle or a component of the bottle.

Each of 10 finalists will be awarded $1,000, and the grand-prize winner will receive $10,000 and an “opportunity for national exposure” of their creation.

To enter, consumers need to visit www.artofpatron.com, register/complete a profile (no cost) to become a member of the Patrón Social Club, then upload a photo of their creation and a short essay (50 words or fewer) describing the creation and the inspiration behind it.

A panel of judges will select up to 25 semifinalists, based on overall creativity, unique use or representation of the Patrón bottle, visual appeal and the persuasiveness and appeal of the essay. Semifinalists will be featured on the contest site for public voting to help select up to 10 finalists.

Patrón reports that the contest was inspired by the fact that its bottles are frequently repurposed into visual arts and functional objects. This is the brand’s first competition to officially recognize and reward ingenuity in giving the bottles “a second life,” according to Jennifer Pisciotta, Patrón’s vice president of marketing.