MEDIA RELEASE
Steam Whistle partners visual art and extreme sport
through Design-A-Deck contest
(Calgary, AB - September 25, 2008) – What better way to grab the attention of
Calgary’s youthful, urban beer drinkers than by offering original, artistically
decorated skate board decks as prizes in a beer company contest. Underdog,
independent Steam Whistle Brewing, a relative newcomer to Alberta’s competitive
premium beer market gets creative in their promotion to edgy, intelligent and
culturally-minded beer drinkers.
Design-a-Deck will kick off on October 3rd with a show unveiling the 8 custom
decks at A RTlife Gallery in Calgary (1312 1 st St. W.). From 8pm to
midnight, the eight local artists who were commissioned to decorate the Mission
decks will be on hand, as will a live DJ, plenty of Steam Whistle Pilsner and a mini
skateboard ramp for those daring to display their skills. Bar proceeds will go the
Elephant Artist Relief Fund ( www.elephantartistrelief.com )
After October 3rd, the 8 custom decks will be showcased at Calgary watering holes
Tubby Dog, Marquee Room, Broken City, Drum & Monkey, Ship & Anchor, Auburn
Saloon and Palomino where bar patrons will have their opportunity to name and
win their top pick. Contest entries will be accepted on-line at
http://www.steamwhistle.ca/promos/skateshow.php between October 6th and
October 26th.
Design-a-Deck was the brain child of Brad Goddard, Regional Manager for
Steam Whistle Brewing, and Board member of TRUCK Gallery. “The idea of
engaging real Alberta artists to create original art pieces for us instead of using
conventional contest prizes was very appealing. These will really be valued as oneof-a-kind skate boards or more likely, as real art pieces for their walls at home.”
About t he Arti sts
DECK 1: Artist CONZ - CONZ TFA.FB
Has been a graffiti artist since 1994. Born in Montreal and grew up in Calgary. “I
dont know why I choose to paint women… because its looks awesome to hang on
a wall in the living room. It's all about these babes that got drunk from Steam
Whistle Pilsner and made love with each other after the bar closed.”
DECK 2: Artists: Joe Gladysz/Kevin Johnson
A collective piece from two friends that really enjoy drawing and painting.
DECK 3: Artist: Owen Beddoe
Owen Beddoe is an up and coming artist hailing out of Calgary, Alberta. His work is
primarily two dimensionally focused, however he has a keen interest and
appreciation for the conceptual nature of three-dimensional work. His work has
been shown in various locations throughout Calgary and the city of Lethbridge, the
location in which he received his degree in Fine Arts in 2005. These days he works
from his space in Calgary choosing to focus on his photographic and painting
endeavors. His painting style is a derivative from automatic drawing, taking what
one might construe as a “doodle” to an entirely new level.
Owen is “keenly thankful to both Mission Skate and Steam Whistle Brewery for this
opportunity. In this particular piece, the concept of steam has been worked into the
lines that are carved into the skate deck. These lines create a rhythmic flow
mimicking the weightlessness and essence of steam. The cutting of the deck was
an attempt to forever remove the wood from its original intent, that of a form of
transportation, to establishing it in its new domain; that being a piece of fine art. “
DECK 4: Illustrator: Tank Standing Buffalo
Tank Standing Buffalo has been drawing since he could hold a pencil. Tank has
always had a rebellious spirit and turned down academic institutions, choosing
instead to be self taught and looks to his mentors for knowledge and inspiration.
After being confronted with many real monsters in his youth, it seemed natural that
Tank would become Artistic Director of a local haunted house company for almost
7 years. Producing everything from 3-D "Scary Tales" landscapes to animatronics
that terrify, Tank's artistic genius leaves an unforgettable impression on his
admirers. Tank Standing Buffalo is being noticed by galleries across Canada and
throughout the States. He is a guaranteed mainstay at several events from Warped
Tour to The Taboo Sex Show to The Calgary Tattoo Convention. He books up
instantly at these shows with people wanting one of his infamous "Zombie
Portraits." He has "zombified" hundreds- including family portraits, wedding
portraits, and family pets. Tank is also a proud member of "Los Rudos", a masked
bike gang that takes over Calgary's streets with their fantastic kustom rides. Tank
just celebrated 5 years with his love, Marsha Ellen Meidow, and they are stoked to
see what their exciting future holds for them. Tank is available to do kustom work
and can be reached at luckyrabbit13@hotmail.com
Tank made the image with a marketing angle behind it; the 309 train is fuelled by
Steam Whistle Pilsner and is Hell on wheels! On the other hand, it is Johnny
Cash's transportation to Heaven. Johnny, like the train, could only boar "full steam
ahead" for only so long. "It should be a while before I see Doctor Death, so it would
sure be nice if I could get my breath," Cash sings on the last song he wrote, the
chilling "Like the 309." Johnny sings of his impending end; "Take me to the depot,
put me to bed, blow an electric fan on my gnarly old head," Cash sings matter-offactly in a weather-beaten voice. This piece of art is a dedication to Johnny Cash;
not just the "Man in Black", but the man who will eternally inspire us through his
words and his spirit. Rest In Peace, sweet mentor.
DECK 5: Artist: Erin Belanger
Originally from Pickering, ON, emerging artist Erin Belanger earned her Bachelor
of Fine Art from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. A lover of all things kitch,
Erin's theoretical and studio research interests include imitation and the
inauthentic, the miniature and the gigantic and collective memory. Currently based
in Calgary, AB, Erin divides her time between her independent practice and her
work as an arts administrator for TRUCK Gallery.
DECK 6: Artist: Renato Vitic
Renato has toiled in the arts community in Calgary in various roles such as the
Festival Coordinator for M:ST, the Manager of Resource development for the Art
Gallery of Calgary, a member of the Board of directors of the Mountain Standard
Time Performative Art Festival Society (M:ST), and now as the Administrative
Director of TRUCK Gallery. Recently completing a residency at the Banff Centre,
Renato presented an interactive collaborative performance with the Ministry of
Walking, and presented five walking performances as part of the “Walking and Art”
thematic residency. Recent performances in Calgary have included the Afrika Dey
Ministry of Walking Postcard Project, and the public book shredding performance
in the STRIDE Gallery +15 exhibition space entitled, “Public Good.” Renato has
exhibited his performance and painted works both in Calgary, Edmonton, and
Halifax with his most recent foray into performance will be as a member of the
walking collective, “The Ministry of Walking,” in Calgary as part of the Performance
Creation Canada Conference this coming October, 2008.
DECK 7: Artist: Suzanne Piechotta
Suzanne Piechotta is a recent grad from the Alberta College of Art and Design.
Living in Calgary she explores paint through the use of non-traditional supports for
her paintings. Her technique of piping the paint through pastry tools allows the thick
paint to transform any surface into painted decadence. She explores alternative
supports including direct application to the walls, everyday household items, and
wearable art showcased at ArtaWearness, at the Alberta College of Art and
Design. Piechotta's thickly "Decra-Caked" paintings explore the physicality that
acrylic paint has. Her interests explore the integrity of paint, its excess, and
malleability. The Piped decadence and tactility of Suzanne's work facilitates new
forms of perception, the function of her art pushes the viewer to explore the familiar
in a new context. About my Board: “CupCake on Steam Whistle: This board would
be my getaway ride after tagging the city with painted decadence. The best Part is
that I wouldn't need Grip Tape for the Deck :) P.S The board says CV9C4k3.... my
Tag LOL, CUPCAKE”
DECK 8: Artist: Dylan Birkholm.
I have been a tattoo artist since June 2008. I have always loved to draw and paint
using whatever medium I can get my hands on. In designing the graphic for this
board I wanted to reproduce the classic look of “old fashioned” tattoos, which I try
to incorporate into my everyday works.
About Steam W histle Brewing
Steam Whistle Brewing, an independent brewery in Toronto, Ontario has a singular
focus of making one beer of exceptional quality that Canadians can be proud of.
We make our refreshing Pilsner with traditional brewing methods and only four, all
natural ingredients (spring water, prairie malted barley, hops and yeast - all GMO
free). Opened in 2000, the brewery was named Steam Whistle, drawing from the
inspirational sounds of steam rushing from factory whistles, signalling the end of a
fulfilling workday and a time for personal reward. The brewery is housed in an old
CP Rail Roundhouse, once home to the steam locomotives that helped pioneer
this nation. Steam Whistle Pilsner, named Canada’s Tastiest Beer by The Globe
and Mail, is sold through select Liquor Retailers and licensed establishments in
Alberta in bottles, cans and draught. Our Pilsner also won the People’s Choice
Award at the 2007 Calgary Beerfest and Favourite Domestic Lager at the 2008
Edmonton International Beerfest. Steam Whistle Brewing supports over 150 arts
events in Alberta every year--from gallery openings to fundraisers, rock shows to
publication launches--as part of our dedication to enhance and support the
communities in which we operate, through arts development. To learn more about
Steam Whistle Brewing and what we do really, really well, visit
www.steamwhistle.ca
About the Elephant Artists Relief Fund
Elephant Artist Relief recognizes that many of us who have chosen to follow a path
in the creative arts are doing so in the face of adversity, struggling to maintain our
health, our home and our work. As an organization, it is our primary mission to
build and maintain the practical support necessary to sustain those in our
community who have dedicated their own lives to the practice of making art.
E.A.R. aims to provide emergency funds for artists in crisis, as well as advocacy
and support for long-term medical and living needs.
www.elephantartistrelief.com
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Issued By/Media Contact:
Source:
Stephen Murdoch,
Communications Consultant
OEB International,
St. Catharines, ON
Phone: (905) 682-7203
Cell: (905) 932-1279
E-mail: smurdoch@oeb.com
Brad Goddard
Alberta Regional Manager
Steam Whistle Brewing,
Calgary, AB
Phone:(403) 542-3261
E-mail: brad@steamwhistle.ca
Attached:
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