Published: March 05, 2008 03:27 pm            

ART: Good times on tap at NACC

The words “art” and “beer” don’t blend together very often.

But they’ve become a winning combination for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center.

The Niagara Falls site will host its second annual Art of Beer event Friday night featuring more than 25 beer and food vendors, live music, raffles and — of course — plenty of artwork.

“I didn’t stop painting until I felt thirsty, and then I knew I was done,” said Jonathan Rogers, an artist at the NACC who will put up for sale close to 20 paintings depicting beer for the event.

“The goal is, when you look at it, it makes you lick your lips and go out and want to buy a beer. The illusion it creates is incredible — and I like to work the magic.”

Those previewing Rogers’ work will have plenty of beer and food samplings along the way. The second floor of the NACC will be lined with many Western New York restaurants and breweries.

“If you like to drink and enjoy artwork, this is the perfect event for you,” said Gina Cali-Misterkiewicz, director of development for the NACC. “It’s a nice way to get people to the event who are not aware of everything we have here.”

The NACC, formerly Niagara Falls High School, is a multi-arts center with 70 artists' studios, dance and music schools, two theaters and a recording studio. Cali-Misterkiewicz said artwork in the first-floor main gallery will also be on display during the event.

While beer and food tasting events aren’t new, the idea to mix it with beer-related artwork and memorabilia is something Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and his wife, Becky, tossed around for a few years before helping organize the first Art of Beer at the NACC last year. The event, which doubles as a fundraiser, attracted more than 300 people.

“Last year’s event was a big success, and we’re hoping this year’s is going to be even bigger,” said Becky Dyster, owner of Niagara Tradition Home Beer and Wine Supplies, which is sponsoring the event along with the NACC and Flying Bison Brewing Company. “There’s going to be about a dozen microbreweries represented and a huge variety of different beer styles to sample.”

Rogers said he’s sampled beer brewed throughout the world, including the Philippines to the Middle East.

He prefers the taste local breweries brought to last year’s event and will be returning Friday.

“The beer was amazing last year,” Rogers said. “I love beer and I love art, so this is the perfect night for me.”

Live music by Twigz and Lakeside Blues Band will be played throughout the evening on the second floor. For those interested in more than just drinking beer, a short film on home brewing will be playing in the auditorium.

“Home brewing is an art itself,” Cali-Misterkiewicz said.

There also will be a 50/50 split raffle, gift certificate raffles and a grand prize raffle for two sets of round-trip airfare tickets donated by Myrtle Beach Direct Air.

Admission includes beer and food samples, film admission, a souvenir logo tasting glass, beer-related memorabilia and art and more. Participants must be age 21 or older.

Contact reporter Rick Forgioneat 282-2311, ext. 2257.

        

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