Creative Lou's Canvases: How Métier Brewing Turns Beer Cans into Central District History
Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently visited Métier Brewing in the Central District for National Beer Can Appreciation Day on January 24th to chop it up with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, a.k.a. Creative Lou, and Métier Brewing Company owner Rodney Hines. Brown, the visionary behind many of Métier’s iconic cans, is all about representing the stories of Blackness and the soul of Seattle’s Central District.
While Brown creates professional aesthetics for the cans, he also strives to make his work an immediate and intimate experience to his Seattle’s Black community. His work is more than just commercial art, but a historical preservation of the Central District.
From the Major Taylor can art, which honors the world-class Black cyclist from 1890 and supports a program recruiting kids of color into cycling, to Precious Black Energy (PNB) created during the civil unrest of 2020 to communicate a message of resilience and worth, the cans capture critical history.
"When I see people drinking it, when I see it at the games, when I see people sending me pictures, 'I got your can,’ it's a beautiful thing. It never gets old,” he said.
Brown’s artistry extends beyond the can, with his designs shaping the iconic Converge Media wall in the Black Media Matters Studio.
"I think [the wall] shows that love and that community and what resonates for a lot of people in the Central District. Classic pictures, classic moments...grandparents, dads, moms, dancing, love,” he said. “It just encapsulates The Central District for me.”
Under the leadership of Hines, Métier Brewing Company, which is one of a handful of Black-owned brewers nationwide, is dedicated to a mission that extends far beyond the production of craft beer. The company's name, Métier, which means "one's calling, one's destiny," reflects Hines' profound belief that brewing beer and using his platform to uplift Black businesses is his purpose.
“Part of my calling and destiny is that I want to create an ecosystem that is supporting other Black businesses,” Hines said, showcasing iconic cans designed by Black artists including Jessie Lipscomb, Perri Rhoden, Moses Sun, and Amari Leach.
For Hines, it is critically important to create an inclusive space and to increase the visibility of Black people within the industry. The company actively supports this goal through a mentorship program designed to help Black individuals and others get involved in brewing. Métier Brewing Company’s overarching aspiration is to make every can a "love letter to our community."
"When you look at the cans, you see us. When you walk through our spaces, you see…us. And you feel an affinity. You feel like you can be a part of this,” he said.
Visit Métier Brewing’s Cherry Street location Tuesdays through Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2616 E Cherry St Seattle.
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