BRERA AND THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE ART THROUGH YOUTH

BAR BRERA AND THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE ART THROUGH YOUTH

Students awarded at the Pinacoteca di Brera for their contribution to cocktail design

On Thursday, March 21, Bar Brera, in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts, awarded at the Pinacoteca di Brera the students who contributed to the design of the bar’s cocktails and those of its partners, including a glass created for Fratelli Branca Distillerie.

“I would like to thank all our collaborators for what they are building,” said Lillo Navarra, CEO of Bar Brera, “and the students for what they have created for us. If we are carrying this project forward, it is also thanks to your work.”

“Each of us has contributed to bringing this project together,” added Daniele Cardone, photographer and partner at Bar Brera. “The dream is to create a true synergy with the Academy, building something solid—a cultural hub that celebrates art, culture and beauty in all their forms.”

“We are proud to reward the students who took part in this initiative,” said Enzo Colella, Project Manager at Bar Brera. “Today’s event represents the partnership we started last year with the Academy and includes a series of initiatives we plan to host at the bar on a monthly basis, also thanks to our partners. Through this collaboration, students—guided by two professors—have created specific works for our brands. Today we awarded the first four students who designed our ‘BRERA’ cocktail using digital painting techniques, a student who collaborated with Schweppes on reinterpretations of the Gin Tonic and Paloma, and another who created a gift card to be used at our bar.”

“We are here today to present gift cards to the students who participated in this project with Bar Brera—a collaboration we will likely renew next year. It is a recognition of the most deserving students,” said Dr. Danny Vescovi, Director of the School of Painting at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.

Martina Cerbone, Marketing Director of Fratelli Branca Distillerie, presented the award to Massimo Pugliese: “We are pleased to welcome spring together with Bar Brera and support a project involving one of Milan’s key institutions—the Academy of Fine Arts. Fratelli Branca Distillerie, a leading company in the international spirits market and a symbol of Milanese excellence, celebrates with Bar Brera the creativity and energy of Brera’s students and future artists. We have always been committed to supporting culture and drawing inspiration from new generations, as reflected in our philosophy: ‘Novare serbando’. Respect for tradition and the ability to innovate are the key ingredients of lasting success, as demonstrated by our 180-year history.”

Also present was Niccolò Branca, President of Branca, who added: “These awards are very important—they encourage young people to enter the world of making and creating. They also allow us to see the hospitality industry from a broader perspective—not just as a meeting place, but as an economic driver that creates value. Bar Brera, located in the heart of the city and facing the historic Academy, is a place where many artists were born. Where there is culture, Branca is present.”

Manuel Ricciardi was awarded by Dr. Marco Minoia, Head of Marketing at Banca Centro Padana Credito Cooperativo S.C.: “As Banca Centro Padana, we immediately saw the value of associating our brand with important names such as Branca, Schweppes, and one of the most prestigious academies in Italy. This event allows us to show our commitment to younger generations. In these very streets, some of the most important pages of Italian literature were written in the mid-20th century. Being able to combine cultural, artistic and historical aspects makes us truly proud.”

Lara Pauk was awarded by Francesco Giorgi, Area Manager at Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.p.A.: “Today we can truly feel the historical significance of this place. We are very excited to take part in this award ceremony and to associate our name with institutions like the Academy and Bar Brera. Lara Pauk’s designs strongly reflect our brand.”

Finally, Matilde Marinaccio was awarded by Vincenzo Colella, Project Manager at Bar Brera. “I used the Bar Brera color palette,” Marinaccio explained, “drawing inspiration from a painting by Carrà, as a reference to the Futurists who expressed their art in these streets in the 20th century.”

Thanks to the collaboration between the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and Bar Brera, students were involved using both advanced digital techniques and traditional drawing methods to capture the essence of the new cocktail. The Academy and Bar Brera have established a long-term partnership aimed at promoting excellence and culture through social, cultural and promotional initiatives, actively involving the bar, the Academy with its faculty and students, and the vibrant Brera district of Milan.