Arts and Drafts

The Beer Walk for the Arts is an afternoon of historic homes, art demonstrations, live music, samples from local restaurants, and—of course—craft beer. There’s plenty of fun to be had, and money raised benefits St. Joseph’s arts scene.

The St. Joseph Allied Arts Council is hosting its annual Beer Walk for the Arts on Saturday, May 11. Now in its 10th year, this is a highly anticipated event with a little something for everybody. “Before I came to work here, it was one I never missed—and I never drink beer,” says Allied Arts Council Marketing Coordinator Kathy Reno. So what was it for Reno?

By Caroline Dohack “I love Victorian homes. I love the period architecture and I like seeing how people decorate around it, restore it, make it livable for today while keeping the character of the homes,” Reno says. “For me, the homes tour is the part I’ve always loved.” Others, she says, come because they love trying new craft beers and taste-testing the latest and greatest from the local restaurants that provide the catering. For some, live music is the big draw. Still others enjoy watching artists at work at each of the stops along the way.  This year’s event will be in the Historic Harris-Kemper neighborhood, starting at the 1885 Whiskey Mansion Inn. The tour includes seven stops, including one at the neighborhood greenhouse, which Reno says will be decorated specially for the event.  Beer Walk for the Arts is a fundraiser for the Allied Arts Council Arts Fund, which provides funding for seven local arts organizations. The purpose of providing this funding is to subsidize costs associated with producing events, in turn keeping the ticket prices affordable for members of the community.  “A vibrant arts community is important,” Reno says. “My personal theory is the arts aren’t expendable, they’re essential.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here.  All photos courtesy of Allied Arts Council. For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.