Project brings artists into the beer world
When it comes to welcoming and accepting all kinds of people, labels can be bad. But a new project is bringing artists into the beer world by commissioning them to create labels for beer cans.
The project, “to help bring visibility and opportunity to artists who might not normally work in the craft beer industry,” is being curated by Matthew Buchholz of Alternate Histories and Ashley Devine of YEAHYELHSA. They plan to have a dozen artists, one per month, do a new design for brews from Dancing Gnome Beer in Sharpsburg.
First out were four variations of a design by atiya jones — that’s how she writes her name — on a fourpack of Lustra pale ale.
Upcoming artists in the series include illustrator Morgan Whitlow for the brewery’s Spy Dolphin Double India pale ale in February and painter Wavy Wednesday (Kamara Townes) for Jam IPA in March.
Other artists will be announced as the series progresses. Learn more at DancingGnomeBeer.com.
Ms. Devine said in a release, “It’s exciting to be able to feature such a wide variety of local artists in what feels like a pretty natural collaboration between two flourishing communities in
Pittsburgh.”
Dancing Gnome’s Andrew Wichey agrees: “Sharpsburg has seen a wonderful influx in artists and appreciation for art, with multiple studios and galleries opening over the past few years. It’s exciting to be working with local Pittsburgh artists to feature their work in a different manner and be a part of the local Pittsburgh art scene and hyperlocal Sharpsburg scene.”
Beers can be purchased in person at Dancing Gnome new riverside taproom (1025 Main St. in Sharpsburg) or for statewide shipping in Pennsylvania through the website.
Other artists are brightening beer cans this winter, as well.
Local cartoonist Joe Wos is illustrating legendary beasts and mythological creatures for Acclamation Brewing of Verona’s Cryptid Catchers series of beers. It premieres Feb. 18 with The Squonk, a double IPA, and additional beers and cans are planned through May.
Neighboring Inner Groove Brewing incorporated photos by Myles P. Rooney into its Layin’ Low chocolate coconut porter.
See these cans posted with this story at post- gazette.com/goodness.