LEXINGTON, KY - Last winter, I walked into the Bluegrass Tavern just as they were wrapping up a bourbon tasting conducted by Bernie Lubbers. I struck up a conversation with Lubbers and learned that he has the envious distinction of being one of Jim Beam Brand's Whisky Professors -- a job that mainly entails traveling around the globe educating the world on bourbon. Being a bourbon connoisseur, a part of me was ready to convince Lubber's that he needed to put me under his tutelage, so I, too, could become a whisky professor. But then I remembered how much I loved my own job. So instead, I started thinking about ways we could perhaps combine how Lubbers made his living with how I made mine. I asked Lubbers if he could give me some bourbon barrels that I, in turn, could give to local artists. The idea was to have artists turn the barrels into works of art, which my non-profit organization could then auction off to help fund a new microfinance program in Jamaica (more on this later). To my surprise, Lubber response was, "Sure, how many do you want?"
"Uhhh, how 'bout 10."
"Sure, when do you need them?"
"No rush."
"Is next week soon enough?"
"That'll work."
Sure enough, 10 brand-new, gorgeous Knob Creek barrels arrived a week later. Through the help of LexArts, the Lexington Art League, Facebook and Twitter, I was able to find phenomenal local artists daring enough to attempt to work with the barrels. My first plan was to combine the barrel auction with one of the events my organization (called Global Gain) already had scheduled. However, the artists had another idea which they believed would more successfully showcase their barrels, as well as raise funds. They wanted to do a bourbon-themed event that would appeal to philanthropically-inclined bourbon and art connoisseurs. And while I agreed that their idea was a much better one, the only downside was that it would now require a sponsor to underwrite the costs of the event. To my delight, Jim Beam Brands stepped up once again.
When it came time to come up with a name for the event, one of the participating artists, Sam Wilson, suggested "Spirits of Giving."
Perfect.
Spirits of Giving
Now all we needed was to figure out an ideal venue. Along came Clark and Jessica Case, friends of mine who had recently purchased Buster's and had big plans to reopen it in the burgeoning Distillery District on Manchester Street -- perhaps they'd be game. Fortunately, they were, so we were finally all set. We would have a bourbon-themed event called in the Distillery District. To top it off, we arranged for Jim Beam to have one of their whisky professors lead a bourbon tasting (unfortunately, Lubbers had a scheduling conflict) and booked local jazz and blues legend Tee-Dee Young to perform.
The next step was to visit all the artists one-on-one. I was so blown away by their finished pieces that I couldn't wait to learn more about the motivations behind their participation and the inspirations behind their barrels. This was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. As I listened to the artists explain the statements they were attempting to make and/or the feelings they were trying to evoke through their barrels, I was no longer just excited about their participation -- rather I felt truly privileged for being given a glimpse into their hearts and minds. I learned just how complex/exhausting/therapeutic/stimulating the artistic process can be and was thrilled to hear that one of the main motivating factors for many of them was a desire to give back to the community they loved.
Indeed, the artists will be giving seventy percent of their barrel proceeds to support a brand-new effort that will enable families in a poor, rural Jamaican village to afford a quality education for their children by helping them launch small businesses. Through the Nash Brighton Project, Global Gain will be combining a microfinance program (small loans to help impoverished families launch small businesses) with sustainable tourism offerings to create a truly one-of-a-kind "sister city" type relationship between Lexington and Brighton (the Jamaican village).
Here's how it will work: An individual or family from Lexington will be able to go to http://www.nashbrighton.com to virtually "meet" families from Brighton. Once they find a family they'd like to help out, they'll be able to provide them with a loan that will enable their children to attend Nash Brighton's primary school. However, unlike other "adopt a family" programs, this one will be geared for the 21st century. Brighton's families will be trained by Global Gain's staff to upload weekly video updates to the website, so they can provide regular updates on their small business ventures and on their lives in general. Better still, Lexingtonians will have opportunities to take "sustainable vacations," where they can meet the families they have helped. The vacations will combine relaxing activities like lounging on the beach and snorkeling with volunteer activities like guest-teaching at the school or helping out on the community farm.
To learn more about Spirits of Giving, visit http://www.spiritsofgiving.com
To learn more about the Nash Brighton project, visit http://www.nashbrighton.com
Nathan Cryder is the founder and Executive Director of Global Gain and the Chair of the Lexington Distillery District steering committee.