Visitors to Downtown San Luis Obispo’s Barrelhouse Brewery may find themselves observing an unusual procession taking place at the taproom, one that combines a passion for art with the unique local drinks crafted by the brewery.
Sunday patrons can grab one of the various beers, sours, and seltzers the bar has to offer before heading upstairs to peruse the pieces made by a local artist.
This crossover of beer and art is the brainchild of Taproom Lead Alicia Miller who, since February 2022, has blended her passion for local art with her day job by incorporating both into an event that highlights lesser-showcased artists on an individual scale.
“Why shouldn’t beer people have their own art events?” she said with a laugh. “These pop-ups open up a window for people who want to showcase their art or go to art events without necessarily committing to the fanciness—and wine—normally associated with art.”
Miller, who is an artist herself, became inspired to make use of the often unused upstairs portion of the taproom when regulars who happened to be artists mentioned needing a place to showcase their work.
“A lot of these artists are younger, so they don’t necessarily have the funds to pay to be at the standard big pop-up, so through this event, we provide a venue for them,” she said. “Nothing is set in stone, so it’s all very fluid and they can make it their own style, invite their friends, and have their own personalized pop-up for the day.”
Miller has worked to provide a weekly venue for these artists while bolstering and creating new camaraderie between local artists, Barrelhouse regulars, and new visitors to the taproom.
“To have these events that make it so you can not only go and get local beer but also support these local artists just made sense,” Miller said.
The art featured at Barrelhouse on Sundays ranges from traditional paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and photography to candles, tarot cards, and even art made from recycled materials found across the Central Coast.
“There’s really no limit to what I want to have presented at these pop-ups,” Miller said. “I am all about opening the floor to everyone and letting them showcase things they made with their own hands.”
The idea of crafting something with her own hands and sharing it with the world is at the core of Miller’s relationship with art, something that stems from her father’s influence as a fellow artist.
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always interested in art, whether it was in art classes or just making things on my own,” she said. “I’ve just always wanted to support and be around art.”
Miller’s father, Jonny—a former professional skateboarder who makes custom art out of recycled surfboards and skateboards—was featured at one of the first pop-up events.
“My dad’s obviously a big inspiration to me, so to be able to host an event where I could not only let him showcase his wonderful art, but also show him where I work and the family we really cultivated here was really special to me,” Miller said.
One of those Barrelhouse family members includes Miller’s coworker Kaitlyn Tolin, a fellow artist who will be featured at the next event on March 5. Tolin specializes in pieces highlighting the preserved landscape of waves, water, and ocean across the Central Coast.
“It’s really cool to be featured at events like this because I get to show off a different type of work that I do to my coworkers and other regulars,” Tolin said. “It’s different than other events I have attended because it’s a smaller, more intimate setting that gives me the time to talk with more viewers and connect with them at a closer level.”
Miller truly sees the art events as a celebration of the combined drive shared between the creation of art and beer—and the subsequent enjoyment and social aspect of the two.
“It can be hard to find places and ways to express yourself as an artist, so to have a place that’s less of a ‘you have to pay here to share your things’ and more of a place where you can feel inspired to share your art with others is really important,” Miller said.
“You can feel happy to not only have your art out but also be surrounded by friends and family, the loved ones in your life, enjoying a beer in a chill place and really just being yourself.” Δ
Freelancer Adrian Vincent Rosas is sipping on a Barrelhouse standard and enjoying the company around him. Reach him at arosas@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Mar 2-12, 2023.