Klennex showcases Hispanic Art on boxes.

The Kleenex brand is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this year in a special and colorful way – by showcasing Hispanic-inspired art on three of its upright boxes. The boxes are due to be on store shelves throughout the country, during the months of September and October. All three designs were rendered by young aspiring Hispanic artists, whose work was chosen from among more than 600 entries submitted in a nationwide art contest – Con Kleenex Expresa tu Hispanidad (Express Your Hispanic Pride With Kleenex) – held earlier this year.

“The Kleenex brand wanted to recognize the contributions of Hispanic culture to America, and felt an art contest celebrating their rich heritage was an ideal way to do that, particularly if it took place around Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Carolyn Eisele, Kleenex Brand Manager. “The number of quality pieces we received over a period of several months was simply amazing, and show just how much artistic talent is out there just waiting to be discovered.”

The three winning entries were chosen by a group of experts from the Kleenex brand, along with online voting by consumers. More than 30,000 votes were received online between March and June. All three winners received $5,000 cash, each, and the opportunity to have their designs exhibited on Kleenex brand upright boxes. Nine finalists also received $500, each.

“The Kleenex brand’s decision to create this unique contest deserves the gratitude of the entire Hispanic community,” said renowned Hispanic radio psychologist Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols, spokesperson for various Kimberly-Clark brands, including Kleenex. “What better way to show our appreciation and celebrate our Hispanic heritage than by taking home one of these limited-edition Kleenex-brand boxes, or collecting all three? To do so, you must hurry, though, as the boxes will be available in stores only through the end of October.”

The three winning artists were: Jaime Maldonado, of Chicago; Paula Lagioia of Miami and Jessica DelCarpio of New York City. All three represent very different regions of Latin America.
Mr. Maldonado, of Puerto Rican descent, created a piece titled, “Celebración” (Celebration), which, in his own words, “expresses the spirit and energetic independence of Latin American countries.” Ms.Lagioia, in turn, represented her Venezuelan heritage with a piece titled, “Colores Hispanos” (Hispanic Colors), consisting of a radiant array of shapes and colors that abound within the Latin culture.

Finally, Ms. Del Carpio, whose family hails from Peru, submitted a colorful piece – “Simplemente Hispano” (Simply Hispanic) – depicting a hard day of work in the fields. “A day of hard labor is also a day of achievement,” she said. “Just as we sow our traditions and cultivate our values, we reap the fruit of our efforts and dedications.”