5 Questions With… ARTonTAP
One of Oklahoma City’s coolest beer tasting events is rapidly approaching, and there’s still time for you to grab tickets. The eighth annual ARTonTAP at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art is set for Oct. 14. To bring you up to speed on the event — which has sold out several years in a row – here’s my interview with Whitney Cross Moore, associate development officer at the museum.
1. The Thirsty Beagle: For starters, how is ticket availability? Can people still purchase tickets? How do they go about doing that?
Whitney Cross Moore: As of today, we still have about 200 tickets available for sale, so interested parties can go to our website, www.okcmoa.com, or call 278-8237 to purchase tickets. We have sold out the last three years, so I recommend calling soon!
2. TTB: This is the eighth annual ARTonTAP. How has the event grown and changed over the years?
WCM: I cannot believe it’s already the eighth year! I remember us coming up with the concept on the Museum Cafe patio and hoping that people would come to the event. I think we were hoping for 250 people the first year, but ended up selling 400 tickets! The event used to be just in the Museum’s main lobby, but we quickly learned that we needed to expand. Fast forward to 2011 — we are using every possible square inch of the Museum and still selling out at 750 guests! We use both of our lobbies, the Museum Cafe, the roof terrace, and new this year we will have some fun surprises in the second-floor galleries with artist Franco Mondini-Ruiz, who created a special series of beer related paintings that are available to buy at super-reasonable prices.
3. TTB: Last year, you guys set a goal to minimize the event’s environmental impact. How did that go, and is that something we’ll see again this year?
WCM: Our green efforts last year were so successful and surprisingly easy to execute. At the end of the night, there were only two little garbage bags in the dumpster and everything else was recycled or composted. We recycled 780 pounds of cardboard and glass, filled 23 bags full of recyclable plastics, and 12 bags of compostable materials. This year we are doing all of that, but we are cutting out the use of plastic cups – instead, each guest will get a special ARTonTAP tasting mug to hold on to and take home with them. I’m very proud of what we accomplished last year and I can say with confidence that we will never go back to filling up two full dumpsters like in the past.
4. TTB: What kind of beer should guests expect? A lot of the state breweries?
WCM: We have some really special beers this year from all over the world and as close as Oklahoma City. Our favorite local vendors like COOP Ale Works, Choc Beer, Huebert Brewing Company and Battered Boar Brewing Company will be back once again. Stella Artois will host the roof terrace and will also feature their new line of Redhook and Widmer beers. Some of the fancy-schmancy beers include Blanche de Namur, Rochefort 6, Yanjing, Grimbergen Blonde Ale, the Collesi family of beers (super-fancy), Scaldis Cuvee de Trolls, St. Feullien Saison, and so many more. We will have well over 80 different beers so I guarantee there is something for everyone!
5. TTB: What makes this event stand out in terms of beer-tasting events in general? Obviously the venue is unique. Anything else?
WCM: There are so many great components to this event — awesome beer, fun music, cool people, an amazing rooftop with an incredible view, gorgeous artwork, excellent food all wrapped up in a sophisticated venue. I think people might also enjoy coming to a party and potentially learning a little bit about art, food, beer, or recycling — it makes everyone feel less guilty for trying so many beers! Also, it’s a great cause that helps support outstanding exhibitions at the Museum — what’s not to love?
Well said, Whitney. Sounds like a very nice beer lineup and a cool night overall. The exclusive beer paintings sound highly intriguing as well!
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The Beer Distributors of Oklahoma (BDO) are proud to support ART on TAP. It’s a great event!