Romero Britto nominated by Coca-Cola to carry Olympic Torch in 2016

Romero Britto and Xiemar Zarazua of Coca-Cola with the 2016 Summer Olympics torch (Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola)

Romero Britto and Coca-Cola, two effervescent forces that aim to spread happiness, are partnering up to celebrate the 2016 Summer Olympics with special art and events.

Earlier this year, Park West Gallery was excited to announce that Britto was made an official ambassador of the Olympic Games in 2016, held in Rio de Janeiro his home country of Brazil, by the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

In continuing his role as an ambassador, Britto was nominated by Coca-Cola to carry the Olympic Torch when the games arrive.

“As a Brazilian it is a wonderful feeling to be nominated as a Rio 2016 Olympic Torchbearer in my country,” says Britto in a written statement. “It’s a unique opportunity and I want to help promote it and show that art also spreads happiness through its essence and its colors.”

As part of the partnership with Coca-Cola, Britto will create five paintings representing local elements from each of Brazil’s five regions and a collection of five pins that correspond with the paintings. Together, they will form a map of Brazil in a special edition kit.

Of course, a partnership with Coca-Cola isn’t complete without the famous soda. A limited edition aluminum Coca-Cola bottle will be launched and sold in Rio de Janeiro in honor of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Britto speaking about his partnership with Coca-Cola for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games (Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola)

Britto, born in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, also met with students from a school selected from the Coca-Cola Schools Festival on October 25.

“Romero Britto is a natural ambassador for Brazil abroad and he charms the world with the style of his art,” explains Xiemar Zarazúa, president of Coca-Cola Brazil, in a written statement. “The partnership turns him into a storyteller of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Coca-Cola story, from capturing elements from the five regions of the country, and also through the Torch Relay and with our special bottle, until Rio 2016 with the pins.”

Britto is known for his colorful style art that combines cubism, pop art and graffiti, and encourages themes of optimism and happiness. Park West Gallery proudly represents Britto as one of its artists, and is the only source for collecting his three-dimensional relief graphic works.