Monday, November 27, 2006

Contacts: Allison Resner, 612/746-4614, allisonr@fasthorseinc.com; Kim Cretors, 706/542-1168, kcretors@franklin.uga.edu

University of Georgia student named finalist in Coca-Cola Santa art contest

Athens student’s artwork helps ring in a holiday milestone; free art exhibit featuring original paintings and local student’s artwork debuts in New York

Athens, Ga. – This holiday season Kathleen Bradshaw, a student at the University of Georgia, can cross one thing off her wish list.  Bradshaw has been named one of five finalists in a national art contest held by Coca-Cola North America to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the modern-day image of Santa Claus – based on a painting commissioned by the Company in 1931.

Legendary illustrator Haddon Sundblom created the original rosy-cheeked figure – today’s traditionally accepted appearance of the jolly old elf – 75 years ago for a Coca-Cola holiday advertising campaign.  When Coca-Cola first approached Sundblom to develop an illustration, popular culture’s perception of Santa Claus ranged from a stern, tall, gaunt man to an elf donning a bishop’s robe or a Norse huntsman’s animal skin.  Sundblom changed this visual notion by turning to Clement Clark Moore’s popular 1822 poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (commonly known as “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”) for inspiration, which led to his friendly interpretation. 

In celebration of this significant milestone, Coca-Cola invited up-and-coming artists to submit their modern-day interpretation of what Santa Claus might look.  Bradshaw competed in the “Canvassing for Talent” contest against students from five prestigious art colleges across the country.  Her “Santa’s in the Game” (above) interpretation of the modern-day Coca-Cola Santa, which depicts Santa playing a video game, was one of five chosen to be displayed next to 20 original Sundblom works at a special holiday exhibit at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.  

“The inspiration for my illustration comes from my children who love to play video games and have even convinced me to play a few times,” Bradshaw said.  “I am honored to be recognized as a finalist by Coca-Cola and to be part of the 75th anniversary celebration of Santa Claus.”

A panel of judges, including Phil Mooney, director, Archives, The Coca-Cola Company, Leila Dunbar, senior vice president and director of the collectables department at the international auction house Sotheby’s, and artist Steve Penley will choose a grand-prize winner from among the five finalists to receive a $5,000 prize.  As a finalist, Bradshaw and a guest will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York to view the Coca-Cola Santa 75th Anniversary Exhibit.  The grand-prize winner will be announced Nov. 30.

“The Coca-Cola Santa paintings are the basis for one of the most prominent images we associate with the holidays,” said Mooney.  “It’s great to see today’s art students embracing the challenge of creating a modern-day image that reflects their own experiences and artistic backgrounds.”

Twenty of Sundblom’s Coca-Cola Santa paintings, along with the artwork from the five student finalists, will be featured in a free public exhibit at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City from Dec. 1, 2006, through Jan. 2, 2007. 

“We are proud to have one of our student’s creations displayed alongside Haddon Sundblom’s historic pieces depicting the Santa image we all know today,” said Georgia Strange, director of the Lamar Dodd School of Art at UGA.  “Kathleen is a very talented artist with bright things in store for the future, which she clearly demonstrates in her piece ‘Santa’s in the Game’ composition.” Those outside the Big Apple also can visit the Holiday 2006 section of www.mycokerewards.com to enter a virtual gallery and view 20 original Coca-Cola Santa pieces.  The gallery will be complete with descriptions, interesting facts and examples of how the paintings were adapted to other forms of Coca-Cola advertising over the past 75 years.  During the month of December, Coca-Cola will donate $0.75 to the Salvation Army, up to $25,000, on behalf of each person who visits the online exhibit.

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The “Canvassing for Talent” Contest
Students at five art colleges – Rhode Island School of Design, Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Kansas City Art Institute and Art Center College of Design in California – were invited to enter the contest by creating artwork using markers, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, paint, oils, photographic elements, or computer generated or graphic imagery.  Entries were judged on the basis of originality and creativity, appropriateness to theme, quality of artwork and overall presentation.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company.  Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world’s top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks.  Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate exceeding 1.3 billion servings each day.  For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.