KALAMAZOO, MI – Four Kalamazoo organizations and businesses have combined on a project where art and craft beer will combine to help the monthly Art Hop.
Art Hop, a free event held one Friday each month in downtown Kalamazoo, combines artists with local businesses. The public is able to visit a variety of businesses, sample complimentary snacks and drinks and peruse art from local and regional artists. The event is organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
The new partnership between the Arts Council, Arcadia Brewing Co., Imperial Beverage and Millennium Restaurant Group involves the creation of a new beer, Art Hops.
Proceeds from sale of the beer will support Art Hop. As part of the launch, the public is able to submit label designs for the beer, with the contest opening Nov. 6. There is a $500 prize to the winning design.
For more details, here is the complete press release from the Arts Council:
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo (ACGK), Arcadia Brewing Company, Imperial Beverage and Millennium Restaurant Group have joined forces in creating a new beer celebrating Kalamazoo’s Art Hop.
A combination of donations and proceeds from the sale of Art Hops beer will benefit the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and Art Hop program. This beer and your (yes, possibly your) design will be revealed at the January 8, 2016 Art Hop leading up to Beer Week!
“Art Hops is an excellent example of the ingenuity and innovative thinking taking place here in our community”, states Ken Miller, CEO of the Millennium Restaurant Group. “It is the result of the cooperation and collaboration of some of this communities most recognized supporters and contributors to the arts and entertainment we all enjoy.”
“Kalamazoo has both a vibrant arts community and a thriving craft beer industry,” adds co-sponsor Joe Cekola, president of Imperial Beverage. “The Art Hops project is an exciting opportunity to bring those worlds together in support of the Arts Council, an organization that does so much to ensure that the arts remain a thriving and integral part of our community.”
Tim Suprise, founder and president of Arcadia Ales concurs, “Art Hop is a visible and vibrant illustration of a passion in our community for the Arts, in delightfully diverse and innovative forms, which adds dimension and depth to a culture that engages and illuminates.
Creating a work of art you can truly be proud of requires three key ingredients; inspiration, dedication and perspiration. That’s the spirit behind Art Hops. This bright, balanced and approachable pale ale is packed with four types of hops, orange peel, and a sweet, calm maltiness to keep things smooth. Yes indeed, great beer and great art are overflowing in Kalamazoo… so why wouldn’t you want to drink in that kind of creative energy?
Cheers Where You Come In
The winning artwork will be the face of Art Hops beer in marketing and promotional materials, including web and social media for the 2016 calendar year. You and your art will be recognized through a media release and other media opportunities, plus we’ll show off your original artwork for 90 days at all of the sponsor locations. Oh, and did we mention? There’s cash prize of $500!
When is the contest?!
Art Submission: Begins 12:01AM on November 6, 2015. Ends 9:00AM on November 30, 2015. The Sponsor Jury Panel will choose the top five designs, and those will be available for public vote from December 4, 2015 at 9:00AM through December 7, 2015 at 5:00PM.
“Art Hops celebrates artistry, entrepreneurship, business acumen and community pride – pint after pint!” affirms Brian Zocher, ACGK board president.
So what are you waiting for? Hop to it!
For the complete contest rules and entry form, visit http://kalamazooarts.org/page/arthops_contest
For more information, please contact:
Beth McCann, Interim Executive Director
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 203, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
