This series honors four Chicago based artists who are creating for the now. Each artist has a unique artistic focus across visual arts and fashion mediums.
Let’s tell our stories
Each series will showcase their journey, with curated moments for the broader community to celebrate with them. From their vision, to who they commune with, and how they celebrate successes, this series will demonstrate the collective effort of community engagement & impact.
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Discover more about each artist’s story through a video series that highlights their current perspective on their craft, culture, and community.
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We believe every artist should have the means to keep creating. In partnership with Equity and Transformation Fund, Vanguard Legacy Grant will fund diverse creatives that need support.
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Every series will have a private event for the community to come together and celebrate the launch & fundraising efforts towards the Vanguard Legacy Grant.
Chelsey’s Story: Artist Feature
Alex Carter Brand
Chelsey Carter-Sanders, is the founder and CEO of Alex Carter brand. After graduating from The Art Institute - Chicago, she launched the Alex Carter brand in 2015. Where she caters to customers who are risk-taking but appreciate edgy classics. Carter was a contestant on Bravo’s Season 18 of Project Runway, her designs can be seen on SZA, Erykah Badu and more.
Innovation And Homage
Chelsey Carter-Sander’s latest capsule collection– f i e l d s, Is both literal and meaningful, celebrating the richness of African American culture and remembering the fields where cotton was picked.
f i e l d s represents the birthplace of fresh ideas at the intersection of innovation and homage. Made from 100's of up-cycled denim, the Alex Carter brand uses a vehicle of sustainability to propel this creative story.
As a designer, Carter-Sander’s prides herself on sourcing her fabrics by hand, and reproducing something beautiful and modern, from a textile with centuries of history. Tequila Herradura exists to give people a taste of extraordinary and Alex Carter Brand does just that. The passion for craftsmanship can be seen in every garment Carter-Sanders creates, and in true fashion, Tequila Herradura has a legacy of taking that same level of care with tequila.
Born in 1870, Casa Herradura is one of Mexico’s most historic and renowned tequila producers, since the 19th century in Amatitán, Jalisco. Today, the rich history of Tequila Herradura lives on through one of the most important distilleries in the evolution of Tequila.
From the careful preservation and modernization of this homeplace to the generations of jimadors, who continue to cultivate agave plants on the farm-- the craft behind one of the most awarded premium tequila brands in the world, remains heavily influenced by its rich heritage.
Cocktail Showroom.
Try a delicious Tequila Herradura Cocktail at home curated by Alex Carter and our Beverage Director, Tyler Gallagher.
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2 parts Tequila Herradura
1 part freshly squeezed lime juice ½-¾
Agave nectar (to taste)
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2 parts Tequila Herradura
½ part apricot liqueur
¾ part fresh lemon juice
¾ part monin ginger syrup
½ part white peach puree
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 egg white
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Serve Tequila Herradura Ultra straight up in a rock glass to savor the subtle nuances of Ultra one sip at a time.
Private Dinner
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Pannel Discussion
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Artist + Grant Celebration
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Private Dinner • Pannel Discussion • Artist + Grant Celebration •
See our Programming Below
March 28
Private Dinner
1130 West Monroe Street
A commemorative dinner with peers and catalysts who the featured artist is in community with. Our featured chef, Imani Nicole, accompanied by our Beverage Director, Tyler Ghallager, will curate a four course meal with beverage pairings that will showcase the extraordinary flavors of Tequila Herradura.
March 31
Artist Grant Celebration
1130 West Monroe Street
A moment that brings everyone together in support of the pursuit for creative excellence. This celebration is intended to raise funds towards Vanguard Legacy Grant which is designed to benefit the diverse creative community in Chicago. The event will feature a noteworthy Chicago based DJ, curated cocktails by Tequila Herradura.
April 22
Panel Discussion
1130 West Monroe Street
The Art Of Up-Cycling: In this discussion, Alex Carter unpacks the importance of craftsmanship and sustainability by discussing the technical and creative aspects of an artist’s journey.
The Vanguard Legacy Grant
This activation is an opportunity to uplift diverse artists and give them a platform to showcase their craft, but as they rise up, it’s important they reach back.
The New Vanguard x Equity and Transformation Fund have partnered to establish the Vanguard Legacy Grant for emerging artists who need additional funding towards their craft. Throughout the series we’ll raise funds at each celebration event and award a winner at the end of the campaign.
