DENVER – Twenty years ago, Keith Villa returned home after earning his Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels in Belgium, ready to share his art with the world. His art was brewing and in 1995, Blue Moon Belgian White, a Belgian-style wheat ale, became his first masterpiece. Now, he and Blue Moon are paying it forward.
Beginning July 1, the labels of bottles in special-edition Blue Moon Belgian White 12-packs will showcase inspiring artwork of 20 up-and-coming artists from across the U.S. as part of the Blue Moon Artist Series. As a beer rooted in the art community, Blue Moon will eventually select one artist to win a $20,000 grant. Blue Moon offered artists considerable creative freedom, and simply asked that they incorporate an image of a moon in their design. The resulting works of art in the series include a range of interpretations, mediums and compositions all connected by the moon.
“When I started Blue Moon in 1995, I was fortunate enough to have the support I needed to make my dream a reality,” says Villa, head brewmaster of Blue Moon Brewing Company. “I’m excited that Blue Moon will now give promising artists the opportunity to bring their artistic visions to life.”
All 20 original works of art will be celebrated in a one-time moonlit gallery event hosted by Villa July 1, in New York City. A limited number of fans can RSVP to attend on a first-come, first-served basis at BMBCMoonlitGallery.Eventbrite.com.
The event kicks off a month-long celebration of Blue Moon Brewing Company’s 20th anniversary, which will culminate July 31 under the lunar blue moon in Blue Moon’s hometown of Denver.
Blue Moon’s Artist Series will receive full marketing support including social media, special events, sampling and public relations. Throughout July and August, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite label by visiting Blue Moon Brewing Company on Facebook. Voting will be open from July 1 through August 31, 2015. Fans can visit the Blue Moon Facebook page and vote for their favorite design in the album by clicking the “like” button on their chosen artwork. Fans can vote only once per design.
The fan vote will select the top 10 artists, who will then be judged by a panel that will determine one grand prize label artist winner to receive a $20,000 grant to help fund their continued art initiatives—approximately $1,000 for every year of Blue Moon’s history. For more information on the program and to view the designs, fans can visit Blue Moon’s Twitter (@BlueMoonBrewCo) and Instagram (@BlueMoonBrewCo) pages. For terms and conditions of Blue Moon Brewing Company’s Artist Series, please visit http://promorules.com/BMARTISTSERIES/.