Ray and Mandy Hooker, owners of Indian River Distillery, teamed up with the Cultural Council of Indian River County to release its limited-edition Paradise Spirit Vodka, during a Roaring ’20s-themed fundraiser, the Art of Distilling.

The bottle’s label and name had been kept under wraps until that evening, when it was revealed that Merana Cadorette’s artwork had been selected for the label following a community-wide competition.

Guests arrived at the Heritage center dressed in the glamour of the era, and enjoyed listening to saxophonist Carl Lewis, nibbling on hors d’oeuvres and sipping on three specialty cocktails featuring the signature vodka.

Ray Hooker explained that when they opened their tasting room several years ago, they wanted to adorn the walls with old Florida style artwork.

“So, we contacted the Cultural Council and gave them a few parameters of what we wanted and thus started the relationship with the Cultural Council,” said Hooker, adding that through its Art in Public Places initiative, artwork is supplied and rotated every few months.

As the relationship blossomed, so did the fundraising idea, with Hooker creating a spirit and the nonprofit seeing it as a way to highlight local artists.

After issuing a call to artists, their pieces were displayed in the distillery tasting room for people to vote their favorites. The choices were narrowed down to eight finalists, with Cadorette emerging as the winner for her heron in flight against a fiery Florida sunset.

Hooker explained that his vodka, distilled from sugar cane and is carbon filtered four times, was used as a base in each of the three drinks the local bartenders created. Prior to introducing them, Hooker commented that the bartenders had invested considerable effort into crafting the beverages, which they donated to support the cause.

Amy Cope from the Tides created an espresso martini using Frangelico, Kahlua and freshly brewed espresso. Dallas Nanney of the Stamp crafted a cucumber basil smack topped off with ginger beer. And Anhthy Krull of the Grove delighted taste buds with a blueberry lavender lemonade, made with a homemade blueberry syrup.

Four of the final eight artists attended the event, including Cadorette, who said she has been an artist for as long as she could remember. She has painted thousands of pieces over her lifetime and has written and illustrated several books.

“I’m so happy that the Cultural Council and Indian River Distillery did this fundraiser because the arts are so important to Indian River County,” said artist Mary Ann Hall, a contemporary watercolor artist.

Ella Chabot, a multimedia fine artist, explained that her piece was made from recycled paper shreds, which cannot be put into recycling bins, on Styrofoam, which takes some 500 years to decompose.

“I love the Cultural Council. I try to participate whenever it’s possible, and I love the collaboration that’s going on here tonight,” said Chabot.

Darrell Remole, a school district employee, said art is his release. He initially started making wooden Shaker boxes, before branching out into other types of woodworking and also stained glass, such as his submission.

“There are four other artists who work equally as hard to compete, and we’re sorry they can’t be here tonight with you,” said Blythe, referencing Mariya Yankovich, Gwenn McNenney, Elise Geary and Joe Thomas.

Paradise Spirit Vodka is available for a $50 donation to the Cultural Council, which serves as the county’s designated arts agency, promoting the cultural arts through education, collaboration, marketing, and advocacy.

For more information, visit Cultural-Council.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis