Not much time for wordsmithing.  Basically, a fabulous Venusian ale is made, and now it needs some cool design for related posters and merchandise that celebrate the 2012 transit of Venus.  I'm putting out a call to you, friends and artists with a high regard for beer and science, to create and submit a design for consideration in the selection process. 

You have two options for submitting your entry.  First, and preferred, you can send your digital artwork directly to our local printer (Ryan Wanke at CLOAKING ) that will print and mount your image (for fee, below) for display at the brewery alongside the TROVE Art Exhibit.  This gives your artistic expression an audience with links to your studio, website, or contact information.  You choose (and pay for) the size of your displayed art:

• 24x36 print and mount -- $40.00
• 16x24 print and mount -- $25.00
• 11x17 print and mount -- $15.00

Second, you can simply email your artwork for no fee for consideration by the selection committee.  You'll be in the running for the design, but your work won't be displayed publicly unless you are selected as the winner.

Bottom line: Artists, start making your design now for inclusion in the design contest.  In crafting your art, think along the lines of what will look good on commemorative pint glasses, posters, and other memorabilia.  Contact Ryan Wanke at CLOAKING to arrange payment and submission of your art.  Deadline is May 6 (yeah, I know, not much time; sorry, I've been a bit overwhelmed planning TROVE events, managing this website, and other happenings). 

The winning artist will be asked to permit his/her artwork to be on merchandise to be sold by The Livery.  For compensation the winner will be showered with much glory and transit of Venus prestige, and if you are in the neighborhood I'll put a significant amount of beer in a glass or other container with your name on it.  I would expect you'll get a few samples of that merchandise to which I referred.  And I'll feature your art in an article at www.transitofvenus.org.  Gosh, what artistic transit of Venus enthusiast wouldn't want to contribute to the 2012 transit of Venus experience through a beer legacy?  Lastly, for posterity, the winning art design will be included in the Transit of Venus Time Keg (sshhhh, this hasn't been publicly announced yet), a sort of time capsule in a vintage beer keg to be sealed at the conclusion of the 2012 transit of Venus. 

One tip: While I welcome colorful artwork, I expect the judges with an interest in printing the logo on pint glasses, for instance, will prefer one- or two-color artwork.  You're welcome to submit your cool design in full blazing color, with an optional "for printing" version in fewer colors. 

The Venusian ale has been tapped, but will not debut until May 7 for the opening of the TROVE Art Exhibit.



The Livery is the final destination on June 5 for Transit of Venus enthusiasts in the Great Lakes area who will have a ToV sendoff party from there.  There's a reason the exclusive Transit of Venus Tour by motor coach finishes at the microbrewery. 

The Livery microbrewery does not bottle or can its product.  Beer is only available by the glass, in growlers, or in kegs.  That's good news, bad news.  The bad news is that it's only available in kegs.  The good news is, "But, honey, it was only available in a keg."  Meanwhile, the brewery is seeking legal means to ship 500 ml of its Venusian ale to the Transit of Venus Real Ale Competition in Preston, England. 

Due to some of the arcane and diverse state liquor laws in the US, Venusian will only be distributed through Michigan pubs that serve beer from The Livery.  There may be a couple of locales on the East Coast that have a legal working relationship with the brewery, but for the most part you're gonna have to visit the Livery and its Michigan associates to enjoy this ale crafted specifically to honor the 2012 transit of Venus.  Great pleasures don't always come easy.  That said, easier items to ship, like Transit of Venus pint glasses with winning artwork, will be available for purchase.

Still undecided about this Transit of Venus thing?  Consider this: when it last happened, Google called "Venus transit" the #1 Popular Event in the world for the entire month (Google Zeitgeist, June 2004).  That's the kind of audience out there.  Nuff said.

Contact Chuck Bueter if you have any Q's.  Thanks for your consideration on short notice.  Last thing: if you want to use images from the Transit of Venus Image Blast, you may.  They should all be either my own copyright or public domain or used with previously granted permission.  Just give it awhile for all of the files to download--it's a big collection of images.

Clip art from Web Design Hot.