š Shaking Up the Arts šØ + š„
- Linda Chido
- Oct 6, 2025
- 3 min read
by Ronald Gross
Iām excited to share my latest piece,Ā āShaking Up the Arts: How Austin Distilleries Are Toasting The Lemon Project.āĀ In this story, I dive into how local distilleries like Revolution Spirits, Goodnight Loving Vodka, and Balcones Distilling are teaming up with artistĀ Linda ChidoĀ to bring an immersive, multi-sensory art exhibition to life.
When you think of an art exhibition, you probably imagine quiet galleries, hushed voices, and carefully lit paintings. But The Lemon Project, which opened on September 24 and is exhibited through October 29 at the Ruby Hotel & Bar in Round Rock, is adding a splash of Central Texas spirit, literally.
Austinās top distilleries, Revolution Spirits, Goodnight Loving Vodka, and Balcones Distilling, have joined forces with artist Linda Chido to create a one-of-a-kind collaboration that blends art, craft, and cocktails.
Art Meets Mixology
What started as a small series of still-life paintings on handmade paper has blossomed into a cross-industry creative partnership. Each of Chidoās ten paintings is paired with a custom cocktail recipe contributed by local distilleries. The result is a dialogue between visual art and craft spirits that invites the audience to taste the artwork.
Revolution Spirits created The Lemon Project Fizz, a bright, effervescent gin cocktail that echoes the light and texture of Chidoās paintings. Goodnight Loving Vodka, Texasās most award-winning vodka, crafted several lemon-forward drinks that highlight the smooth finish of their Hill Country artesian water vodka. And Balcones Distilling, already world-renowned for its bold Texas whiskey, offered up the Raspberry Fix, a cocktail that pairs Texas malt with the bright acidity of lemon.
Partners in Lime (well, actually lemons)
This partnership is more than clever cross-promotion. It is a celebration of the Austin maker scene where distillers, artists, and designers work side by side, elevating each otherās craft. In Linda Chidoās words, āThe Lemon Project is a meditation on the beauty of the everyday and a testament to whatās possible through collaboration with Austinās artisan community.ā Chido is now working on a separate project with Molly Cummings and WildGins.
For the distilleries, it is a chance to bring their craft to new audiences in a cultural space. For Chido, it is a way to expand her artwork beyond the canvas and into the glass, creating an experience that engages all the senses.
Event Details
Exhibition Dates: September 24 ā October 29, 2025
Location: Ruby Hotel & Bar, 400 Fannin Ave, Round Rock, TX
Visitors can view the original paintings and enjoy cocktails inspired by the exhibition. Copies of The Lemon Project: The Paintings & The Recipes catalogue are available at https://www.lindachido.com/shop, a perfect keepsake pairing art and spirits in one beautifully designed book.
Artful thinking, artful drinking
In Central Texas, collaboration is the lifeblood of creativity. Whether it is paint on handmade paper or whiskey in a glass, The Lemon Project proves that when artists and distillers come together, the results are nothing short of intoxicating.
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About Ron Gross:
Ronald GrossĀ is a versatile writer with a background in advertising and a deep knowledge of spirits. Heās written whiskey features forĀ Menās JournalĀ andĀ Stramash, authored five books, and created content for brands such as Heineken and Amstel. A former bartender and liquor store manager in New York and San Francisco, Ron brings experience, insight, and storytelling craft to every pour and every post of his spirits-centric Substack, Proofpositive1.
You can read more of Ron's writing and spirits recommendations on his Substack, 'Proofpositive1.
LINDA CHIDO ART
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