Trae from Chadwicks serves his creation at last year’s Art on the Rocks.

Do you enjoy art with a cold drink in your hand? Join The Art League next week in taking a cocktail-eyed look at our gallery. The Art League and six local mixologists present Art on the Rocks, featuring cocktails inspired by artwork in our October exhibits, next Wednesday.

Bartenders from Austin Grill, Chadwicks, Columbia Firehouse, Hank’s Oyster Bar, The Light Horse Restaurant, and RedRocks Pizza Napoletana were each challenged to select a juried piece from the October exhibits and channel it into a new cocktail. Attendees will judge the mixed drinks and vote for a winner at the event. Also included: appetizers from the restaurants and drawings for prizes.

Who: You’re invited!
What: Art on the Rocks!
Where: The Art League Gallery, 105 North Union Street, (in the Torpedo Factory Art Center) Alexandria, VA
When: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
Why: Because who doesn’t love great art and cocktails?!
How: Buy tickets now by: phone, 703-683-1780; online; or in person. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Must be 21 years of age.

We asked Frank from RedRocks for a preview of his creation, the “Wren,” made with bourbon, SoCo, grapefruit, Cointreau, and spanked-basil garnish.

Videos of the other competitors are on our YouTube channel. See the artwork they selected as inspiration after the jump:

Hunter & Prey, Carlos Beltran Baldiviezo (selected by RedRocks Pizza Napoletana)

Aurora over McKinley, Richard Mallory Allnutt (selected by Austin Grill)

Equipoise, Joyce McCarten (selected by Columbia Firehouse)

Melons & Peaches, Leigh Culver (selected by The Light Horse Restaurant)

Posed, Michele Hoben (selected by Hank’s Oyster Bar)

R+B Series V Dot, Marsha Staiger (selected by Chadwicks)

Don’t forget to get your tickets!