Inspired by P.E.I.
Upstreet Craft Brewery hopes to encourage creativity with artist residency
Marsha Gallant can’t wait for an artist to join the Upstreet Craft Brewery team.
The marketing manager is happy to use the funds from sales of the popular American pale ale, Do-Gooder, to set up an artist residency in collaboration with This Town is Small.
“We take a portion of the proceeds from selling the beer and put it into The Do-Good Fund. This year we are going to use the proceeds to set up an artist residency at Upstreet.”
The artist will spend three weeks of studio time at the business and will get the chance to work with the Upstreet team, Gallant said.
“The artist will design a beer with the beer engineer, as well as a label and pair a food menu along with it. It will be cool to see the two merge. It’s always nice to get fresh ideas and perspectives. They will host an artist speech, reveal their beer (and) menu and showcase their art at the end of their residency.”
Gallant hopes that the artist mixes with the local atmosphere.
“We hope that this extends beyond the artist and into the local community,” she said, adding the residency is a unique opportunity for an artist to visit the Island.
“I don’t think there is a better place to be inspired than P.E.I.”
Monica Lacey is the program co-ordinator for This Town is Small, an artist run centre in Charlottetown that is collaborating with Upstreet. This isn’t the first time they have offered a residency, she said.
“We’ve done various residencies over the years, mostly through the Art in the Open festival.”
An artist would come to P.E.I. for a few weeks and mentor an emerging artist prior to the festival, Lacey said.
“We have always put a priority on residencies; it’s a pretty crucial career step for an artist. It’s a chance to fully focus on a project.”
Lacey adds this doesn’t often happen as a lot of artists are working part time or have families.
This Town is Small hopes to attract someone from outside the province.
“Ideally, we are looking to bring in some fresh blood from off the Island. We have (a residency) coming up that is specifically for P.E.I. artists, but we are hoping to bring in someone from elsewhere to help stimulate the arts industry. We’re looking for someone who wants to engage with the community, someone who is really enthusiastic and outgoing.”
Lacey is glad the residency is able to pay the artists.
“About half of residencies the artist has to pay. With this one they get to come to P.E.I. at the nicest time of year, have studio space and get paid. It’s a pretty great opportunity.”
“We have always put a priority on residencies; it’s a pretty crucial career step for an artist. It’s a chance to fully focus on a project.” Monica Lacey