Beer and Art

Craft beer and the visual arts go hand-in-hand. Beer labels are the front line of visual interest for craft beer drinkers. As such, artists and brewers work together to create labels that represent the beer perfectly. It also makes art accessible outside traditional galleries, gaining traction and visibility for those who may be overlooked by artistic institutions.

Community led initiatives create opportunities for underrepresented artists. As a brewery, we pride ourselves on being community-focused, which includes everyone. We are always looking for new ways to support others locally and beyond. We are so privileged and excited to say we are supporting two events. Art should be by and for everyone, and we couldn’t miss the chance to be involved in these events.

Allt Fest: Celebrating Local Artists

Forth Valley Open Studios began in 2010 and evolved into Forth Valley Art Beat (FVAB), running for 12 years as one of the region’s largest cultural events. Founded by artists and directed by Avril Nicol, it connected makers with each other and their communities.

In 2024, Avril Nicol and producer Rosy Naylor stepped down, bringing FVAB to a close. At the request of local makers, Natalie McIlroy (Director of Craft Central CIC, Dunblane) took over the directorship, partnering with freelance producer and curator Janine Matheson.

After months of research, networking, and analysis, Allt Festival launched in November 2025 as an ambitious flagship event.

Allt Fest, works to celebrate the vibrant art emerging from the Forth Valley region of Central Scotland. The name Allt comes from Scottish Gaelic and means “a stream, burn or brook”, reflecting the festival's strong connection to place and its commitment to supporting artists from the local area. By focusing on regional creatives, the festival highlights the importance of local artistic communities and demonstrates how culture can strengthen connections between people and places.

Local art plays an important role within communities. Artists often draw inspiration from the landscapes, histories, traditions and experiences that surround them, creating work that reflects the identity of the region. Through visual art, communities can explore their shared heritage, celebrate their diversity and engage with new perspectives. Supporting local artists also has economic benefits, as purchasing artwork and attending cultural events helps sustain creative careers and encourages investment in the local cultural sector. It also encourages secondary spending, as those attending art festivals will go to local businesses for shopping or eating out.

One of the key strengths of Allt Fest is its commitment to showcasing a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums. Rather than focusing on a single genre or artistic approach, the festival aims to present an inclusive and diverse collection of work. This ensures that visitors encounter a broad range of artistic voices and experiences, making the festival accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Whether visitors are experienced art enthusiasts or simply curious about local creativity, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Rake the grass with your fingers by Eilidih Weir

The festival features work from an impressive range of artists, including:

• Elin Isaksson
• Charlotte Strawbridge
• Eilidh Weir
• Jade Stout
• Leah Faulks
• Archie Scott
• Caroline Paterson
• Jane Dunbar
• Polly Ritchie
• Susan White
• Lesley McDermott
• Morna Tinto
• Kerry Lindsell
• Darren Rees
• Katherine Cowtan
• Kate Sankey
• Graham Tristram

Together, these artists represent the richness and diversity of creative practice across the Forth Valley region. By bringing their work together in one exhibition, Allt Fest creates opportunities for artists to reach new audiences while encouraging visitors to discover talent that exists within their own communities.

Supporting local art initiatives such as Allt Fest is particularly important because events like these rely heavily on community involvement. The festival is run voluntarily, with organisers dedicating their time and energy to creating opportunities for local artists. Without public engagement and support, many grassroots cultural events would struggle to continue. Visitors can support the festival in a variety of ways, whether by attending the exhibition, purchasing artwork, speaking with artists about their work, sharing information about the festival on social media, or recommending it to friends and family. Even small acts of support help raise awareness and contribute to the festival's ongoing success.

Sheep in Wolf's Clothing is proud to be hosting the opening event for the festival, which will take place on the 5th of June. We will also be open on the 6^th and 7^th. All of these days are run at our cost to support the local artists and event. The opening weekend provides an opportunity for visitors to engage directly with the artists and experience the exhibition in a welcoming and community-focused environment.

Festival Opening Hours:

• Friday 5 June (Opening): 6pm–9pm
• Saturday 6 June: 10am–5pm
• Sunday 7 June: 11am–5pm

WAAW World: Increasing Visibility for Women Artists

WAAW World (Women Artists' Art Week World) is dedicated to advancing the visibility of women artists across the globe. Despite significant progress in recent decades, women continue to face historical underrepresentation within the arts sector. For centuries, women were excluded from many formal artistic institutions, denied access to professional training, and often overlooked by galleries, collectors and critics. Although women have always contributed to the development of art and culture, their work has frequently been marginalised or omitted from mainstream art history. As a result, contemporary initiatives such as WAAW World play a crucial role in addressing these longstanding inequalities and creating greater opportunities for women artists to gain recognition.

The issue of gender inequality in the art world remains highly visible today. One notable example is the feminist activist collective the Guerrilla Girls, who have spent decades highlighting sexism and racism within the arts. Their famous 1989 poster, Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get into the Met. Museum?, drew attention to the stark imbalance between the number of female artists represented in museum collections and the number of women depicted as subjects within artworks. By using humour, statistics and public campaigns, the Guerrilla Girls exposed the structural barriers that have historically prevented women artists from receiving equal recognition.

https://paintvine.co.nz/blogs/news/the-guerrilla-girls-unmasking-inequality-in-the-art-world?srsltid=AfmBOoonz1GxRHVp1N5yrBy_wbNMvlOioUVNevXNqaOOIgUeDmh21-7Pn

Creating greater representation for women artists is therefore more important than ever. Art has the power to shape cultural attitudes, challenge social norms and inspire change. Artists often play a significant role in documenting experiences, questioning systems of power and imagining alternative futures. If certain voices are excluded from artistic spaces, society risks losing valuable perspectives and experiences. Supporting women artists helps create a richer and more diverse cultural landscape, ensuring that audiences are exposed to a wider range of stories, ideas and viewpoints.

The founder of WAAW World, Annya Sand, established the organisation with the goal of making support for women artists both accessible and achievable for galleries and cultural institutions. Reflecting on the origins of the project, Sand explains:

"When I started WAAW World I tried to make it as convenient as possible for galleries and art institutions to take part: from presenting female artists in their galleries, to recording videos about their collections by female artists, and giving studio tours of female artists."

Rather than placing responsibility solely on artists to seek opportunities, WAAW World encourages institutions themselves to actively participate in improving representation. Sand states that her "mission was to make it impossible for galleries and institutions to say no." This practical approach has allowed the initiative to expand significantly beyond its original scope. As the project developed, Sand observed its growing influence, explaining, "I started seeing how WAAW was making a local impact, on a global level!" She further describes the organisation's development by noting that "the more all the volunteers and I put into WAAW World, the more we've seen it grow and take on its own shape, much like raising a child and seeing his or her character unfold."

Sand also highlights the broader structural barriers that continue to affect women pursuing careers in the arts. She argues that gender inequality extends beyond representation alone and is closely connected to wider issues of employment, income and opportunity. As she explains, "When we talk about gender misrepresentation at WAAW World we simply talk about the equal opportunities at work, and the need to be paid the same as men are, for doing the same work." This perspective places artistic inequality within the broader context of gender equality in society.

Furthermore, Sand emphasises the real-world consequences of these inequalities, stating: "I cannot emphasise enough the cost of modern society's failures towards women when it comes to work." She argues that women continue to face significant challenges as a result of long-standing gender bias, which affects not only professional opportunities but also wider aspects of life. According to Sand, these inequalities directly impact "women and their children's mental health, financial self-sufficiency, and family balance which makes it incredibly hard, often impossible, for women to pursue a career in art." Her comments demonstrate that increasing visibility for women artists is not simply about achieving greater representation within galleries but also about creating conditions in which women can sustain successful and fulfilling creative careers.

Through WAAW World, Sand seeks to challenge these barriers by creating practical opportunities for women artists to gain recognition and visibility. Her work demonstrates how collective action between artists, galleries and cultural institutions can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive art world.

Ultimately, WAAW World demonstrates the importance of collective action in addressing inequalities within the arts. Through initiatives such as Impact Week, the organisation creates opportunities for women artists to gain visibility, connect with new audiences and develop their careers. By challenging underrepresentation and promoting equal opportunities, WAAW World helps create an arts sector that is more inclusive, representative and reflective of the diverse voices that shape contemporary society.

Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Brewery is delighted to support WAAW World by donating beer for their 5^th birthday party in London. This contribution reflects the brewery's wider commitment to supporting initiatives that promote visibility, opportunity and recognition for women artists. Throughout our work, we have sought to create a community-focused space where creativity can flourish, whether through exhibitions, collaborations or partnerships with cultural organisations.

Supporting WAAW World aligns closely with our values as an independent brewery that believes art should be accessible, inclusive and representative of diverse voices. Just like our beer.

By donating beer and participating in these events, we hope to contribute in a practical way to the growth of creative communities while helping to raise awareness of the importance of supporting women artists and other underrepresented voices within the arts.

Labels, Art and Craft Beer

Craft beer does not exist independently from the art world. In many ways, the two are deeply interconnected, with visual art playing a key role in the branding, marketing and identity of craft breweries. While beer is often viewed primarily as a product for consumption, craft beer culture has developed into something much broader, combining creativity, storytelling and community engagement. The artwork displayed on cans, bottles and promotional materials is often the first thing a consumer encounters, making visual artists an essential part of the craft beer industry.

The use of artistic labels in brewing has a long history, dating back to the nineteenth century when advances in lithographic printing enabled breweries to produce colourful and visually distinctive labels for bottles and packaging. Initially, these labels served a practical purpose, helping consumers identify products in an increasingly competitive market. However, breweries soon recognised the potential of label design as a form of visual communication, using imagery, typography and symbolism to convey quality, heritage and brand identity. The modern craft beer movement, which emerged in the United States and spread internationally during the late twentieth century, transformed this relationship between beer and art. Independent breweries began to reject the standardised branding commonly associated with large brewing corporations, instead embracing bold, experimental and often highly artistic label designs. As craft beer became increasingly associated with creativity and innovation, labels evolved into miniature canvases that reflected the personality of individual breweries and beers. Today, many breweries collaborate directly with illustrators, designers and fine artists, creating labels that are often as carefully considered as the beer itself. In this way, artistic labels have become one of the defining characteristics of craft beer culture, helping breweries communicate their values while simultaneously providing artists with a highly visible platform for their work.

First  Colour Print Beer Label, Bass, 1876

As a concept, craft beer frequently positions itself in opposition to the large-scale beer corporations that dominate the market. Rather than prioritising mass production and consistency above all else, craft breweries often emphasise experimentation, individuality and innovation. They play with flavour combinations, brewing techniques and ingredients while seeking to create products that stand out from mainstream alternatives. This spirit of creativity extends beyond the brewing process and into the visual identity of the beer itself. Labels become an opportunity to communicate the values, personality and story of a brewery while simultaneously showcasing artistic talent.

Beer labels are therefore much more than packaging; they are a form of artistic expression. Many craft breweries collaborate directly with artists to create unique designs that reflect the character of a particular beer or brewing project. In doing so, they transform everyday consumer products into small, accessible pieces of art. Unlike traditional gallery spaces, which may feel intimidating or inaccessible to some audiences, beer labels place artwork into people's hands and homes, allowing them to engage with creative work in a more informal setting.

Ralph Steadman's work for Flying Dog Brewery

These collaborations can be particularly valuable for women and non-binary artists. Partnering with breweries offers opportunities for artists to reach audiences who may not typically visit galleries or engage with the visual arts. The widespread circulation of cans, bottles and promotional materials can provide significant visibility, helping artists gain recognition and attract new supporters. At the same time, breweries benefit from distinctive and memorable branding that helps them stand out in a competitive market.

For businesses such as Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, the relationship between art and craft beer is especially significant. Supporting artists through exhibitions and creative collaborations aligns with the wider values of community, inclusion and cultural engagement. By bringing together local artists and independent brewing, spaces such as these create opportunities for creativity to flourish both inside and outside traditional art institutions.

Ultimately, the connection between craft beer and art demonstrates that creativity can be found in unexpected places. Through artist-designed labels and collaborative projects, craft beer becomes more than a beverage; it becomes a platform for artistic expression, visibility and community support.

SiWC’s Art and Beer

For Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing art has formed our identity since we started working on our brand back in 2019. You may have noticed the influence of Lichtenstein’s Pop Art in our beer cans, with hard lines, solid primary colours and stippling. Bold colours, playful names and art is part of who we are. Art and artistic expression is central to us!

At Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery, we are proud to play an active role in supporting initiatives such as Allt Festival and WAAW World’s Impact Week, which champion underrepresented voices within the arts. As a company made up of a majority female, LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse team, inclusivity is not simply a value we promote, but something that informs the way we operate, collaborate and engage with our wider community.

We recognise that women artists, non-binary creatives, and local artistic communities continue to face significant barriers, including limited visibility, unequal access to funding, and fewer opportunities to exhibit their work. These challenges are often amplified outside of major city art scenes, where platforms and resources can be more scarce. For this reason, we are committed to using our space and our platform to help address these inequalities in practical and meaningful ways.

We see the brewery as more than just a place of production and hospitality; it is also a community space where creativity can be shared, supported, and celebrated. By working closely with organisers, artists, and local networks, we strive to contribute to a more inclusive cultural environment that reflects the diversity of the communities we are part of.

By donating beer to WAAW World's fifth birthday celebrations at no cost and hosting the launch event and exhibition for Allt Fest free of charge, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to both initiatives. Through this support, we aim to help foster greater inclusivity, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for artists to share their work with wider audiences.

Sandwich and Soda by Roy Lichtenstein 

We believe that supporting women, non-binary and local artists not only helps address long-standing inequalities but also enriches the cultural landscape as a whole. Greater representation leads to more diverse stories, perspectives and forms of expression, which ultimately benefits everyone who engages with the arts.

At Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery, we remain committed to using our platform to uplift creative voices and to help build a cultural landscape that is fairer, more vibrant, and more inclusive for all.