Tapped by Otherside is calling for local artists to get involved in an exciting new initiative that will see their artworks immortalised on cans of Otherside beer.

Artists can apply to be part of Otherside’s Creative Release which captures creative works that reflect four seasonal beer styles including Headliner – Double IPA; Feedback – Indian Pale Lager ; Sabbath – Pastry Stout; and Distortion – Imperial Kettle Sour.

Otherside’s Creative Series is a Tapped by Otherside initiative. The Tapped fund was launched in 2016 by Otherside Brewing Co. to support emerging creative talent including musicians, artists and film-makers through artist collaborations, incubator programs and grants.

Commentating on the Creative Release, Otherside Brewing Co. Marketing Manager Steve Finney said, “this is a really exciting initiative which unites the art of brewing with visual arts. The Creative Release is a series of four annual brews which push the creative brewing talents of our brewing team and challenges the status quo in contemporary beer branding.”

“This year, through our Tapped by Otherside fund, we are extending the reach of the Creative Release series beyond brewing, by collaborating with local artists to deliver cans as creative as the brews they hold.”

“Every three months we will call for art submission by local artists, selecting a total of four designs to showcase across the series. Each winning artist will receive a Tapped grant and residency at Freo.Social providing valuable, mentoring and networking opportunities to support career development.”

Headliner, is the first of the seasonal brews to be released and kicks off the Creative Release today. It features artwork by Maylands-based artist William Kitely which the Brewery said appealed for its link to the beer and iconic Western Australian landscape.

“William’s piece is a great opener for our Creative Release. His work reflects Headliner’s colouring and flavour profile and is a striking design for a big, bold beer.” Steve said.

William said his design reflected the connection between the Perth Hills landscape and the bright, hoppy and complex pallet of the Headliner Double IPA.

“The pine, citrus, and the hops in this IIPA reminded me of the lull of Summer – as those sea breezes slowly roll up towards the Perth Hills releasing the pollen of Darlington’s old pine trees far and wide.”

Commenting on the Tapped Creative Series, William said the initiative offered more than exposure opportunities for emerging artists.

“As an emerging artist this collaboration has been amazing for me. It’s provided an opportunity to share my art with the world and has also provided a platform for people to experience my artwork, in more visceral ways than just observing a picture. Together we’ve been able to create an experience, a story and a feeling. That is truly fulfilling to me.” William said.

Nominations of artwork for the next beer in the series – Feedback – are now being accepted.

“We are now welcoming art submissions for our next beer, Feedback, an Indian Pale Lager (IPL). It will be a heavily hopped cloudy lager and feature passionfruit driven aromatic hops.

“We look forward to collaborating with another artist on this next beer and encourage all Western Australian visual artists to get involved.” Steve added.

A panel of program curators, led by Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) curator Danni Lye, will review all artist nominations and confirm the successful Feedback artist in October.

“With creativity at the fore, this program brings together a talented group of curators to identify our series artists. We recently announced a three-year partnership with AGWA and are thrilled to have Dani Lye from AGWA involved in this program’s development including judging the final designs.” Steve said.

“Danni is joined by branding experts Mark Braddock from Block Branding and Sally Tucker from T13 to deliver a robust and high-calibre judging team to guide the Creative Release.

“It’s great to be able to offer emerging visual artists such a strong and unique platform. Not only will it showcase their art pieces to new audiences but it also gets their work in front of AGWA curators and leading Perth creatives providing invaluable career profiling and networking opportunities,” added Steve.

Artists can submit nominations via the Tapped website at www.tappedbyotherside.com). Nominations will close at 5pm 1 September 2019.

Each successful artist will have their artwork featured as part of the Creative Series for three months; receive a $1,000 grant; and a three-month residency at Freo.Social. All artworks featured in the Series will also be exhibited at either Freo.Social or Otherside Brewhouse in Myaree.

Headliner will be available from 1 August until mid-November at Otherside Brewhouse, Freo.Social and various retailers.

Established in 2016, Tapped by Otherside is a fund, enabled by the sale of Otherside beer. It invests back onto WA’s creative industries through grants and platforms designed to support emerging talent with past winners including musician Stella Donnelly, band manager Kelsie Miller, film-maker Tom de Souza and many more.

www.tappedbyotherside.com