Shōshin was born as a visionary project from the creative mind of its founder, Valentino Longo.

Currently based in Miami, Florida, Valentino is an award-winning Italian mixologist and a compulsive daydreamer with a passion for photography. He created Shōshin Art Club while participating in the Most Imaginative Bartender 2020, a cocktail competition requiring the finalists to showcase three original cocktail recipes and an innovative business project incorporating the mixologist’s passion outside of bartending. Shōshin Art Club was presented in the final round of the competition and won Valentino the title of Most Imaginative Bartender 2020 and a creative grant allowing him to bring the project to life.

Shōshin Art Club’s ultimate goal is to offer to everyone what Valentino believes has shaped him professionally — the knowledge shared with him by the mentors he has had the opportunity to work alongside throughout his career.

Shōshin in Japanese means “Beginner’s Mind”; the mindset of the true beginner is free of preconceptions or any expectations and instead filled with curiosity and open to unlimited possibilities. This is an homage to Valentino’s love of Japan. A culture that he was able to experience and that he largely credits for helping to expand his mind. Japanese culture is the only one in the world with a word that describes this concept.
By choosing this name, Valentino hopes to evoke the idea that learning is constantly in process. In fact, Shōshin is not a reminder but a blessing!

Amie Ward is a Veteran Bartender, exercise physiologist and has been outspoken on her fellow service industry members' health and wellness. When she is not pulling trucks and training for Strongwoman competitions, you can find Amie appreciating the finer things in life like Jägermeister.

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