Lively Beerworks releases new beer featuring the artwork of local artist

Chamber employee Traci Hayes won the top prize at The Lively Show 2021, a juried art exhibition landing her work, The Glass Tree, as the can art for the latest beer from Chamber member Lively Beerworks.

Chamber member Lively Beerworks just released their latest Lab Series limited release beer entitled The Glass Tree, featuring the award-winning art of local artist (and Chamber employee) Traci Hayes. This new brew is a Belgian quad that rolls in at a bold and beautiful 10% ABV. This brew is not just a pretty face, it tastes just as good as it looks. You can taste it for yourself in the Lively Beerworks taproom today or look for it in four-packs at your favorite nearby beer stop.

In Nov. of 2021, Traci earned the spot on the can by being awarded the Curator’s Choice Award at Lively's first annual juried art exhibition, The Lively Show 2021. The award not only included a cash prize but a spot on an upcoming Lively Beerworks Lab Series limited release beer. 

“My artwork will be on a beer can. How freaking cool is that! It is such a unique experience, and to have it featured on a Lively beer is even better. When you meet the group of people at Lively Beerworks, you can tell they appreciate art and have a genuine excitement about local artists,” said Hayes.

The journey behind the brew is a fascinating one that is a story of community, connection, and creativity. Lively’s taproom manager Alena Chesney had a vision for bringing an art exhibition into their production warehouse to celebrate local creatives but wasn’t quite sure how to make that happen. A few conversations over a few brewskis with soon-to-be co-founders of Rally, Marissa Raglin and Josh Vaughn, and The Lively Show was born, and so too was Rally.

AudaCity, the VeloCity OKC podcast, went onsite at Lively Beerworks to learn more about the event on episode 24. Regarding The Lively Show, Chesney said, “Beer and art are a natural pairing. It was just an organic evolution of what Lively is about and what we want to do. Honestly, we are hoping to make this an event we do annually.” 

Hosted by Lively Beerworks and presented by Rally, LLC, The Lively Show is a collaboration born out of a passion for community and creatives. Guest Curator and local artist Ebony Iman Dallas selected The Glass Tree from over fifty curated pieces by over 30 local artists as the best in show. This two-night event drew over 300 attendees to the brewery production area turned high-end yet easily-accessible art party for all. Fast forward to Feb. 2022, The Glass Tree is the celebration of that dream realized. 

The Lively Show 2021, Lively's first annual juried art exhibition

Traci Biggs-Hayes is a local self-taught mixed-media artist. She has exhibited work in several Oklahoma City shows in the Paseo Arts District. Her work is in private collections both nationally and internationally. While always creative and crafty, she did not identify as an artist until recently. “I never saw myself as a creative and especially not an artist. It wasn’t until 2018 when I entered my first exhibition and sold my first work, that I realized there was a connection between my work and other people. That’s when I began to think of myself as an artist,” she said.

The Glass Tree is a colorful rendering of a fantastical tree full of life and vibrancy. Traci artfully crafted this work with alcohol inks on synthetic paper, mounted it on a cradleboard, and finished it with a layer of resin. When asked what inspired this painting, Traci responded, ‘This piece came about when I was experimenting with drops of ink onto airy backgrounds, all created with alcohol ink. I immediately fell in love with the watercolor look I was getting. The colors are vibrant but still transparent and remind me of colored glass.” The original work itself now resides in the collection of the Guest Curator that chose it for top honors, Ebony Iman Dallas. 

About Lively Beerworks

Lively Beerworks is a brewery that came about from a love of beer and community. Located at 815 SW 2nd Street, Lively Beerworks is a family-friendly (and dog-friendly) taproom in downtown Oklahoma City offering beer, wine, sake, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Since 2019, their goal has been to make drinkable beer you will love, in a friendly space that feels like home. Find out more about Lively Beerworks online at www.livelybeerworks.com.

About Rally, LLC

Rally’s passion is “cultivating community through creativity. They are an artist-led and artist-driven organization that strives to place all people at the intersection of creativity and community. Find out more about Rally, LLC or listen to their podcast at www.rallyokc.com