Halifax (Nova Scotia) November 16, 2009 – Coca-Cola announces that artists Alan Syliboy and Christy Groves have been selected for their Aboriginal Art Bottle Program. The Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle Program provides Aboriginal people across Canada the opportunity to experience the Olympic Spirit, while to showcasing their art and culture to the world.

Fifteen artists were selected from over 100 Aboriginal artists across Canada. The artists, both amateurs and professionals, are First Nations, Inuit or Métis. The artwork will be unveiled regionally, across the country, throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and profiled during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. An independent adjudication panel conducted the review.

 “Our cultures are thriving and we want to share them with the world,” said Tewanee Joseph, chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations, Official Partners of the 2010 Winter Games. “When visitors come to the Games, they will experience First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures in an unprecedented way, from works of art in prominent locations at venues to youth acting as torchbearers and flame attendants during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle program is another exciting example of how the diversity of Aboriginal peoples will be showcased during the Games.”

“Coca-Cola’s innovative Aboriginal Art Bottle program is another important avenue for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to feel a personal connection with Canada’s Games in 2010,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “It’s wonderful to see such a range of talented artists across the country unleashing their creativity to show the world a brand new way to look at the iconic Coke bottle and the limitless potential of Aboriginal art.”

“In keeping with our global and national goal of leveraging the Olympic Games to create a more positive reality for Canada, we wanted to create a program designed to profile the unique and talented aboriginal community”, said Nicola Kettlitz, General Manager,Coca-Cola’s Olympic Project Team. This program will profile Native art to the world through Coca-Cola’s Olympic Games activation during Games-time. Visitors from around Canada and the world will have access to view the unique artwork. “

During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,each bottle will be auctioned to collectors from around the world. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund to support sport, culture, sustainability and education initiatives for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth across Canada. The auction will be run from February 15 – 25, 2009. Interested collectors may go online to www.icoke.ca to participate in the auction. In lead up to the auction, each artists’ work and story will be posted online as the artwork is unveiled across the country.

Artist Bio(s)

Alan Syliboy:

Alan Syliboy is a member of the Mi’kmaq first nations. He started painting during his youth and studied privately with fellow Mi’kmaq artist Shirley Bear. Alan attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and in 1997 he was invited to sit on the institution’s Board of Governors.  He created Red Crane Enterprises as a vehicle to sell his work of original fine art, prints, cards, T-shirts, sculpture and pottery. He lives on the Millbrook First Nation reserve at the edge of Truro, Nova Scotia. His work is representative of the traditional rock art made by the Wabanaki who were part of the ancient Eastern Woodland Indian culture.

Christy Groves:

Christy Groves is a student at Dalhousie University. She is also a self-employed entrepreneur specializing in creating and distributing original watercolor paintings of local flowers, berries, landscapes and images from the Natural environment in the Labrador Straits. Of Metis heritage, Christy hails from Labrador, Newfoundland. Christy has won many awards for her work. She is 18 years old.

Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been associated with the Olympic Games since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. Through the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola encourages people to create their own path of “positivity” in everyday life by believing that anything is possible. The Company’s sponsorship supports National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete.

Coca-Cola in Canada

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. In Canada , the Company is represented by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Ltd. (Coca-Cola in Canada ). Coca-Cola is Canada ’s largest beverage company. Coca-Cola in Canada markets three of Canada ’s top nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite, and the leading ready-to-drink tea: Nestea. In addition, our subsidiary is the largest juice and juice drinks company with Minute Maid, Five Alive and Fruitopia. The Company also markets DASANI, PowerAde and other hot and cold beverages.

For more information about Coca-Cola in Canada, please visit our website at www.cocacola.ca or our parent company’s website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Media Inquiries – Please Contact:

Kirsten Mihailides
Manager Public Affairs and Communications
Coca-Cola’s Vancouver 2010 Olympic Project Team
(604)828-3534 or kmihailides@na.ko.com

Posted in: Community, Olympic Torch Relay