Beer Coaster Art

What the hell is that?  An artist doodling on a new and small canvas - 4 in. x 4 in. -- as in  "beer coaster."  Now we all know that it is not unusual to sketch or doodle on a bar napkin but this coaster stuff is new to me simply because they are not blank stock, but have a beer brand logo or other advertising on them.  And they're thick, often wet, cardboard.  This is not sketch-friendly.

This is the story told by Matt Kennedy, gallery director for La Luz de Jesus Gallery.  An artist who was about to be exhibited suddenly backed out.  As he was hanging up the phone from this distressing news, a friend and artist walked in the front door representing L.A. Beer Week to ask for some space to exhibit the various brands to be represented by designer beer mats.

Kennedy got his hands on a bunch of (presumably) blank beer mats, handed them out to artists for inclusion in this pop-up show and it took off like mad.

Now the show is entering its fourth year.  There will be 900 to 1,000 mats on display, walled by artist's name alphabetically and all are priced at $250 or less.  Many of the exhibitors are newbies, but a lot of them are also well-known in their fields and getting anything of theirs for less than $250 is a steal.  Especially since gallery attendance is free.  All in all, this is a good deal.

To read more --  laluzdejesus.com  It's an interesting concept and it should inspire all of us to spend our time in a bar more productively.  Don't forget a pocketful of marking pens and pencils next time you drop in for a beer at your favorite brewery.